Water heater supply lines

[Terry Beck]

Two questions. First, this material looks familiar but I can't place what it is called and its normal use. Black nylon braided coating, over what feels like stainless steel wound flex piping. Is this allowed material for water heater hot and cold supply lines? Can anyone give me a brand name of the material?

Second (same house), where I normally see flexible copper piping is as the water supply lines for the water heater has now been used as a convenient work-around for a properly installed copper pipe with elbows. It is obviously allowed for water heaters - my question, is this technically allowable by most code standards for normal supply pipe runs?

[Frank Kunselman]

Yep, all three pieces are part of a 'Brasscraft" water heater connection kit...I've got one in my truck I'd like to return but can't find who carries them here. Anyway, whoever installed the three pieces didn't understand that the flex line was the gas supply connector...has a tapered end to fit the flared seat in the brass fitting, which reduces the size to 3/8" at the connection.

Remove the 'Br' and youv'e got the idea of the workmanship

[Terry Beck]

I found it. It IS Brasscraft, and it IS certified for water heater supply lines.
http://www.brasscraft.com/pdf/0303_Gas_Connector_Catalog.pdf pg 27.

Funny how things run in cycles. Now today I found another flex water line on a water heater but it doesn't seem to appear on Brasscrafts's web site. So off we go again; what a way to waste a day.

[Frank Kunselman]

Correction of previous post: The copper flex is ok if the piece has the dilectric sleeve and washer. For gas, it does not...hope he used the right one.

[Jerry McCarthy]

Terry
Did you catch the lack of electrical bonding jumpers?

[Scott Patterson]

I noticed a RED TAG on top of the water heater. By chance did you happen to take a look at it? They can be very enlightening at times!

[Richard Rushing]

Is that a galvanized supply line?:confused: