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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
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    Birmingham, Al.
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    Default Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)

    I have read negative reports recently about CSST in gas installations. I recently had a length of black iron pipe replaced due to rust-out because of contact with the soil (due to poor support in crawl space) under an old farm house in rural Miss. The service man from the local propane supply company used CSST for the repair. Is this not a professionally accepted method of gas plumbing? Thanks

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
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    Chicago IL
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    Default Re: Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)

    Whether it is or isn't acceptable would depend on whether or not your municipality has approved the material for use in your area.
    If the gas company is installing it, my guess is that it is approved. Utilities probably have a lot of smart lawyers. I doubt they would be installing an unapproved product and opening themselves up to that much liability.
    I don't keep up on CSST too much since it isn't approved in the City, only most burbs. However, the problems don't seem to be inherent to the product but more to the installation methods. With that in mind, is your gas system grounded? Did he properly support the run?

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  3. #3
    James Duffin's Avatar
    James Duffin Guest

    Default Re: Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)

    The latest and greatest concern with CSST is the lack of bonding of the gas meter to the electrical service. This is supposed to send any lightning strikes to ground rather than burning a hole in the CSST. This is now in the manufactures installation instructions.


  4. #4
    Join Date
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    Birmingham, Al.
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    Default Re: Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)

    Is bonding required in a rural installation where the gas source is an above ground propane tank?


  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Chicago IL
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    Default Re: Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)

    Required? don't know, what Code are you under? My guess is that lightning is not prejudicial as to whether it strikes in urban or rural areas, natural gas or propane.

    www.aic-chicago.com
    773/844-4AIC
    "The Code is not a ceiling to reach but a floor to work up from"

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
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    Default Re: Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)

    Quote Originally Posted by Stanley Thigpen View Post
    Is bonding required in a rural installation where the gas source is an above ground propane tank?
    Yes absolutely. It is in the manufacturer's instructions and thus part of any code anywhere.
    That said, most propane companies around here would not have a clue about what you are talking about and this is a job for an electrician.

    Flexible Corrugated Gas Piping from Gastite: Underground Gas Piping Products and Accessories

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Birmingham, Al.
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    Default Re: Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)

    My follow-up question was not related to a code requirement, but whether the same lightning hazard exists with a stand-alone propane tank supply as a municipal natural gas system. Is the lightning hazard issue due to the thin gauge of CSST compared with black iron pipe or copper tubing? Thanks for your responses.


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Plano, Texas
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    4,245

    Default Re: Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)

    Quote Originally Posted by Stanley Thigpen View Post
    My follow-up question was not related to a code requirement, but whether the same lightning hazard exists with a stand-alone propane tank supply as a municipal natural gas system. Is the lightning hazard issue due to the thin gauge of CSST compared with black iron pipe or copper tubing? Thanks for your responses.
    Yes, thin tubing turns into a blow torch when lightening strike occurs. The nature of the gas supply is not a issue. All metal piping systems have been required to be bonded for years but only as a safety against being accidentally energized by the house current. The bonding requirement for CSST came about as a direct result of lightening strikes. A house that would otherwise likely survive a strike wind up being burned due to gas leak.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

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