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View Poll Results: Is a natural gas line is combustible?
Yes, it will blow the house to bits 9 36.00%
No, it was designed by NASA and can't be burnt 6 24.00%
Please define combustible 10 40.00%
Voters: 25. You may not vote on this poll

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  #1  
Old 8/12/06, 1:03 AM
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Default Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Yesterday's inspection. Gas line resting on B-vent. New construction.

would-you-say-natural-gas-line-combustible-080406-098-small-.jpg.jpg
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Joe Funderburk, CMI
Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, LLC
Inspecting Upstate SC & Charlotte Metro, NC
NACHI ID: NACHI05120170
www.aohomeinspection.com



Last edited by jfunderburk; 8/12/06 at 1:07 AM..
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  #2  
Old 8/12/06, 1:11 AM
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Yesterday inspection, gas fireplace flue not connected in attic.

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  #3  
Old 8/12/06, 9:42 PM
rcooke rcooke is offline
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Quote:
Originally Posted by jfunderburk
Yesterday's inspection. Gas line resting on B-vent. New construction.

Attachment 5037
Question is ( A natural Gas line Combustible . The answer is no .
Put a light a match and you can not get it to burn.
Is it proper for the gas line to be touching the chimney again no.
Gas flue open in to attic .
I would write it up as gas flue open into attic requires immediate repair by qualified person.
I see 81 people have looked and said nothing.
Roy Cooke

Google search gives this answer. below .
Combustible
Definition
  • A combustible material can be a solid or liquid.
    The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) defines a combustible liquid as "any liquid having a flash point at or above 100 deg. F (37.8 deg. C), but below 200 deg. F (93.3 deg. C), except any mixture having components with flashpoints of 200 deg. F (93.3 deg. C), or higher, the total volume of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture."
    • Compare this definition to flammable, which indicates a liquid that is even easier to ignite (flash point below 100 oF).
    OSHA divides combustible (and flammable) liquids into several classes. If you'd like to see these, take a look at 29 CFR 1910.106.
    Combustible solids are those capable of igniting and burning. Wood and paper are examples of such materials.
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  #4  
Old 8/12/06, 10:39 PM
mchristian mchristian is offline
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

We have had a few homes around here explode because of a natural gas leak, and all it took was a spark. So is it combustible?
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  #5  
Old 8/12/06, 10:52 PM
rcooke rcooke is offline
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Quote:
Originally Posted by mchristian
We have had a few homes around here explode because of a natural gas leak, and all it took was a spark. So is it combustible?
No it was the leaking fuel mixed with the correct amount of oxygen that caused the explosion.
Even then it required ignition from some other place.
They put an oder in the gas so people will smell it . Sounds like some one must have damaged the line some how.
There is no way to protect our selves from idiots all the time
Roy Cooke
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  #6  
Old 8/12/06, 11:28 PM
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Quote:
Originally Posted by rcooke
Question is A natural Gas line Combustible . The answer is no .
Put a light a match and you can not get it to burn.
Forget about the fact that the line carries FUEL. Are you're saying that the plastic lining on the gas line will not burn?



Joe Funderburk, CMI
Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, LLC
Inspecting Upstate SC & Charlotte Metro, NC
NACHI ID: NACHI05120170
www.aohomeinspection.com


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  #7  
Old 8/12/06, 11:34 PM
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Quote:
Originally Posted by rcooke

Google search gives this answer. below .
Combustible
Definition
  • A combustible material can be a solid or liquid.
    The U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) defines a combustible liquid as "any liquid having a flash point at or above 100 deg. F (37.8 deg. C), but below 200 deg. F (93.3 deg. C), except any mixture having components with flashpoints of 200 deg. F (93.3 deg. C), or higher, the total volume of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture."
    • Compare this definition to flammable, which indicates a liquid that is even easier to ignite (flash point below 100 oF).
    OSHA divides combustible (and flammable) liquids into several classes. If you'd like to see these, take a look at 29 CFR 1910.106.
    Combustible solids are those capable of igniting and burning. Wood and paper are examples of such materials.
Is natural gas a liquid?



Joe Funderburk, CMI
Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, LLC
Inspecting Upstate SC & Charlotte Metro, NC
NACHI ID: NACHI05120170
www.aohomeinspection.com


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  #8  
Old 8/12/06, 11:36 PM
rcooke rcooke is offline
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Quote:
Originally Posted by jfunderburk
Forget about the fact that the line carries FUEL. Are you're saying that the plastic lining on the gas line will not burn?
Different words Gas Line and plastic lining .
I said the gas line will not burn.
No one else answered . 106 lookers
What is your position ?
Roy Cooke
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  #9  
Old 8/12/06, 11:36 PM
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Bruce A. King Bruce A. King is offline
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Good point Joe.
I doubt if anyone including HI's would or should say that a plastic covered gas line is ok touching a B-vent.

Is it a major issue? No and it is an easy fix so it should be corrected.

I found sheetrock and carpet that had been up against a B-vent for 6 years with absolutely no signs of heat damage. I still recommended it be corrected. The issue (code intent and manuf. liability shield) is really with a runaway device that gets stuck on and therefore heats up the B-vent beyond what it normally would ever be.

Single walled pipe is a different subject and obviously much more of an issue.
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Old 8/12/06, 11:43 PM
rcooke rcooke is offline
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Quote:
Originally Posted by bking
Good point Joe.
I doubt if anyone including HI's would or should say that a plastic covered gas line is ok touching a B-vent.

Is it a major issue? No and it is an easy fix so it should be corrected.

I found sheetrock and carpet that had been up against a B-vent for 6 years with absolutely no signs of heat damage. I still recommended it be corrected. The issue (code intent and manuf. liability shield) is really with a runaway device that gets stuck on and therefore heats up the B-vent beyond what it normally would ever be.

Single walled pipe is a different subject and obviously much more of an issue.
Please read line three #3 my post
" Is it proper for the gas line to be touching the chimney again no. "
Roy Cooke
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  #11  
Old 8/12/06, 11:47 PM
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Quote:
Originally Posted by rcooke
Different words Gas Line and plastic lining .
I said the gas line will not burn.
What is your position ?
My position is simple. The gas line WILL burn because it is covered with plastic.

Assuming the line has no leaks I guess it will just burn the house down at a normal speed. At a certain temperature, the metal itself will burn and then the fuel inside the line, which you say is not combustible, will burn too.

If there is a leak in the line near the point of the initial fire, then there will be an accelerated fire.

It's all very technical.



Joe Funderburk, CMI
Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, LLC
Inspecting Upstate SC & Charlotte Metro, NC
NACHI ID: NACHI05120170
www.aohomeinspection.com


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  #12  
Old 8/12/06, 11:55 PM
rcooke rcooke is offline
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Quote:
Originally Posted by jfunderburk
My position is simple. The gas line WILL burn because it is covered with plastic.

Assuming the line has no leaks I guess it will just burn the house down at a normal speed. At a certain temperature, the metal itself will burn and then the fuel inside the line, which you say is not combustible, will burn too.

If there is a leak in the line near the point of the initial fire, then there will be an accelerated fire.

It's all very technical.
Sorry Joe but I have to disagree, the plastic if you are able to get it to burn will not get the steel hot enought to melt so back to square one The question was will the gas line burn. I said No
Will the plastic cover burn I do not think it by itself would burn but if the house was on fire I would expect you ,I and every one else would be far away watching.
Roy Cooke
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  #13  
Old 8/13/06, 12:04 AM
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

I also found an installation manual tucked up nice and tight next to a B-vent right at the furnace. Looked like it had been there for a few years.
Combustible paper. No major sign of heat damage.

See my prev post for the reason.
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Old 8/13/06, 12:06 AM
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Roy, so the manufacturer's warning about maintaining certain clearances to combustible materials doesn't apply because plastic won't burn and natural gas is not combustible either. Hummmmmm.



Joe Funderburk, CMI
Alpha & Omega Home Inspections, LLC
Inspecting Upstate SC & Charlotte Metro, NC
NACHI ID: NACHI05120170
www.aohomeinspection.com


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  #15  
Old 8/13/06, 12:17 AM
rcooke rcooke is offline
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Default Re: Would you say a natural gas line is combustible???

Quote:
Originally Posted by jfunderburk
Roy, so the manufacturer's warning about maintaining certain clearances to combustible materials doesn't apply because plastic won't burn and natural gas is not combustible either. Hummmmmm.
Joe you are trying to play on words the question again was
" Would you say a natural Gas line is combustible"
I stick with me original answer NO!
With help of a hot fire and much oxygen you can make the carbon in the steel line burn but no way can you under normal conditions get it to burn.
Roy Cooke sr
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