Thread: Welded gas pipe

Home owner welded his gas pipe at the turns. Anybody got experience with seeing this type of installation, and know the rules of this type practice? This gas pipe connects from under the house, buried in the ground (he says it is wrapped pipe) and feeds the gas dryer in the garage out back.
I looked up the 1988 UPC section 1213 (a) which says in part: "All joints in the piping system, unless welded, shall be screwed joints......"
1213 (p) says : "Changes in direction of gas piping shall be made by appropriate use of fittings, ....."
Are welds prohibited or could they be approved?
I'm thinking of deferring to the plumbing specialists in the report, and excluding non-standard installations.

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High-pressure gas line connections and splices are always welded. Each welder is required to be certified by the American Welding Society for the process and position of the welding being done. And welding has to be performed according to the "recipe" provided by approved welding procedure specifications.

If the homeowner can't furnish a current certification card and procedure specifications he used, the installation should be called out for further evaluation by appropriate, qualified agencies (local gas company provider for starters).

P.S. I hope his welding skills were better than his deck-building skills.

Good catch on that deck construction - just one of many diy jobs this man did to his house.
But on the note of the gas pipe - thanks for the info. This isn't a high pressure gas line - just the normal house pressure - a few psi....
The gas line has been there a number of years and it works for him. I didn't smell any gas leaks, but that doesn't make it right.
We are in earthquake country here and the welds may get too much of a strain and rupture. I called it out for a pro to come take a look and fix it according to standards.

As BM says the welder should be qualified in accordance with either ASME Section IX Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code or API 1104 requirements, and such qualification should be performed by an independent inspection agency. Proof of such qualification should be provided in the form of an affidavit.

Hey Chris - FYI normal residential gas pressure is 3.5" WC - 5.5" & LP is 10" of WC, both are less than 1 PSI. 16" of water column = 1 PSI most natural gas furnaces and appliances operate at 3.5" of water column, both are considered low pressure, the high pressure gas is before the meter and regulator and the LP line from the tank is high pressure untill after the regulator on the house.

Thanks for all your replies. Yeah, I wasn't worried about high pressure gas, just the fact that it's a home owner diy job that the next buyer will want to have changed out to proper fittings.
Thanks for the info on the low pressure gas calculations Dan - I didn't know the specifics how to convert, but it's not much pressure when you can easily hold your thumb over the pipe and stop the gas flow.

Originally Posted by Chris Weekly

Thanks for all your replies. Yeah, I wasn't worried about high pressure gas, just the fact that it's a home owner diy job that the next buyer will want to have changed out to proper fittings.

I would do the same. Never seen home welded gas lines myself, but I'd definitely call it out. It is not standard and it is a gas installation - have it replaced or at least verified safe by a pro.