Is there anything wrong with this flex install?

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by gpallotta

Hi Will

It's based on the Canadian Standards Association code B149. Which is our National natural gas and propane code.

Good searching with the code Gerry, but do you have any idea what the real world reasoning would be for that requirement.?

[Gerry Pallotta]

Yes Robert

The safety valve on the top is so you can service the gas line/furnace in the event of an emergency or maintenance. Since the drip leg is the lowest point of the gas line any condensation would collect there and after shutting off the gas you could easily drain the line,similiar to a dry sprinkler system. The tee of course is just to run a line to the appliance. The elbow is illegal for a flex line because in the avent of something or someone falling against it it is easier to pull out causing a gas leak.

That is my understanding of this set up, at least what was tought to me. If wrong I am willing to take my lumps and learn.

[Bob Elliott]

Originally Posted by gpallotta

Yes Robert

The safety valve on the top is so you can service the gas line/furnace in the event of an emergency or maintenance. Since the drip leg is the lowest point of the gas line any condensation would collect there and after shutting off the gas you could easily drain the line,similiar to a dry sprinkler system. The tee of course is just to run a line to the appliance. The elbow is illegal for a flex line because in the avent of something or someone falling against it it is easier to pull out causing a gas leak.

That is my understanding of this set up, at least what was tought to me. If wrong I am willing to take my lumps and learn.

I can"t think of a better reason.

Funny how installing gas lines and inspecting them , I would get the setup backwards on the forum.

I will blame this darn 5 hour report I just finished.

May be I was thing of the term dirt leg , and you would not want dirt in the shutoff valve.

[Gerry Pallotta]

Originally Posted by relliott

May be I was thing of the term dirt leg , and you would not want dirt in the shutoff valve.

LOL... that's for sure

[Michael Larson]

Does anyone care about the Teflon tape after the reducing tee and lack of a operating handle on the gas valve?

Oh, and what kind of pipe is that on the TPR of the water heater?

[Gerry Pallotta]

Hi Michael

Of course we care about the TPR drain pipe but the question was about the gas supply set up.Orange colored teflon tape is rated for gas use. The shut off valve has a lever off sorts, this type of valve is closed by using a wrench, safety feature to prevent kids from playing with it.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by gpallotta

Hi Michael

Of course we care about the TPR drain pipe but the question was about the gas supply set up.Orange colored teflon tape is rated for gas use. The shut off valve has a lever off sorts, this type of valve is closed by using a wrench, safety feature to prevent kids from playing with it.

Hi Gerry.

I was just surprised that no one mentioned those items.

We tend to pick apart any posted photo so others cans learn too. Sorry.

We don't know why the gas company didn't like the install yet.
Perhaps it is the white teflon tape.

If the gas valve requires a tool to operate that wouldn't be appropriate in residential use IMHO.

BTW - I don't see an issue with the CSST appliance connector.

I hope Ron comes back and let's us know what the objections were.

[Gerry Pallotta]

Hi Michael

If the Teflon is white you are correct that is illegal, but on my screen it has an orange tint to it.
I agree with you on the handle bit but the gas company doesn't want people to easily play with these valves. Up here if you smell gas, you open the windows and get out as fast as you can and call the fire dept first and then gas company you are not to shut any valves off.
I have a feeling that flex hose was set up this way because the pipe off the tee was to long and they could not fit the connector on properly. They are going to either have to put a shorter nipple on the tee or crank it a couple of inches over so the tee faces towards the water heater.
When Ron gets back maybe he can clarify why he set it up this way as well as what color the tape is.

[Gerry Pallotta]

Sorry, I forgot to mention this type of valve is used because it is more easily determined if the gas has been shut off.

[Ron Jeremy]

Yes was set up with 90 elbow as nipple was to long but will correct. But got a bit more info about line that gas workers did not like,they stated that flex hose(appliance connector)would be a violation and that it needed to be steel pipe. Never heard this before but thats what they said.

Teflon is rated gasline teflon it is not white.

[Gerry Pallotta]

Hi Ron

I personally have never seen a furnace set up with a flex hose. According to our national code up here I can't find anything against it, only thing is my above quote. However the thinking is that steel pipe is more secure because people like to lean things and store things around the furnace, so it is more secure from accidents. But as you know local jurisdications have precedent I would call them to find out for sure.

Ron let us know what they say, thanks.

[Jeff Merritt]

Hard Pipe, In the Chicago Area any appliance that does not need to move, water heater, furnace , are required to be hard piped. its an old code around here. Next time I talk to the Gas guy I will ask him why.
The other good one is on roof top units depending ion who you talk to they don't want drip leg's, say they may freeze. have yet to get a good answer on this one.

[Jeffrey R. Wicklander]

Originally Posted by jmerritt1

The other good one is on roof top units depending ion who you talk to they don't want drip leg's, say they may freeze. have yet to get a good answer on this one.

I really can't see enough moisture being in the natural gas to fill up the dirt/drip leg. The only thing that comes to mind.. if there is a lot of moisture vapor in the gas, it's warmer underground where the main line is than the rooftop. By the time the gas hits the roof, it's cool enough where the vapor may condense into a small amount of liquid. Maybe over a long period of time, the dirt/drip leg may fill and eventually freeze. Just a thought.

Jeff

[Ron Jeremy]

Talked to a couple other installers and they say that for some reason here (edmonton,alberta) and maybe elswhere in alberta I dont know, they never get aproval for appliance connectors . Only hard pipe and CSST pipe not ready made appliance connectors. Will just steel pipe it and get it over with. They dont know why they just know thats the way it is.