Alert! New rule impacting appliance connectors!

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Here's something else new in the 2009 IRC.

"G2411.1.1. [and 310.1.1 in the Fuel Gas Code]: CSST. Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) gas piping systems shall be bonded to the electrical service grounding electrode system at the point where the gas enters the building. The bonding jumper shall not be smaller than 6 AWG copper wire or equivalent."

That's now a code requirement, not just a recommendation from a few manufacturer's of CSST involved in a past lawsuit.

Here's the impact: An appliance connector IS classified as CSST. Therefore, just one appliance connector in a system using other materials (black iron, copper, etc.) for gas distribution will require the system to be bonded from the gas meter to the GEC or Service Entrance Panel ground bus.

[Bruce A. King]

thanks for the info Joe!

Looks like it could get expensive when the gas meter and GEC are on opposite ends of the house. Even harder when its on a slab.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by jfunderburk

Here's the impact: An appliance connector IS classified as CSST. Therefore, just one appliance connector in a system using other materials (black iron, copper, etc.) for gas distribution will require the system to be bonded from the gas meter to the GEC or Service Entrance Panel ground bus.

The system already requires bonding per the NEC. How does this change anything?

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

I'm not sure what NEC code you're talking about. Are you're talking about bonding the system in general, disregarding CSST? If so, that requirement is excepted if there is an appliance that is grounded using the appliance electrical supply. However, the presence of just one appliance connector would require a separate system ground from the meter, like I described above.

I've never before called out the need for a separate system bond if an appliance connector is present.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

If the gas piping of the residence is metallic, it is required to be bonded to the GES - same as the water piping.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

Originally Posted by jpope

If the gas piping of the residence is metallic, it is required to be bonded to the GES - same as the water piping.

Starting from the gas meter? That what the CSST rule states.

If this CSST rule requires an additional ground, that could be a burden if its a slab home and the gas meter and EGC are on opposites sides of the home.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Bonding is almost always accomplished at the meter in CA, regardless of where the electrical service is located.

[Bruce A. King]

They were allowing the little green wire equipment ground inside the furnace cabinets to act as the entire gas pipe bond around here since the pipe is bonded to the furnace cabinet.

Then in late 2007 many areas started requiring "additional bonding" which had to be the large conductor at the main pipe bonded to the GEC or the service panel neutral/ground bus if CSST distribution piping was present. This was a new item for electricians but now its in the 2009 Fuel Gas code.

[Nick Gromicko]

G2411.1.1. [and 310.1.1 in the Fuel Gas Code]: CSST. Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) gas piping systems shall be bonded to the electrical service grounding electrode system at the point where the gas enters the building.

Note the bolded/underlined portion.

[Joe Farsetta]

If you do this in NYC or Westchester County, or Rockland County... The gas utility will shut down the service.

Consolidated Edison Companies are the gas and electric utility for many counties, and are the AHJ.

If this practice is found they will red flag the dwelling and shut both services off immediately.

They will require a licensed plumber and electrician perform whatever modifications are necessary, ad will require their presence on site prior to re-energizing the site, and prior to turning on the gas.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by gromicko

Note the bolded/underlined portion.

I guess that is the most notable difference in the requirement, although this is generally how it's done as a matter of course in CA, whether there is CSST or not.

[Bruce A. King]

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

If you do this in NYC or Westchester County, or Rockland County... The gas utility will shut down the service.

Consolidated Edison Companies are the gas and electric utility for many counties, and are the AHJ.

If this practice is found they will red flag the dwelling and shut both services off immediately.

They will require a licensed plumber and electrician perform whatever modifications are necessary, ad will require their presence on site prior to re-energizing the site, and prior to turning on the gas.

Sounds like those areas use metallic piping from the street to the house.
They do not want any chance of voltage or any current flow on their main pipes and feeding from house to house etc. So it is basically pretty well grounded to the earth already without actually using an electrical system and adding in the chance for wiring errors or massive malfunctions.

Around here the service lines are plastic unless an older home in some areas.
They actually install a tracer wire next to the plastic so they can locate it later.