InterNACHI


Go Back   InterNACHI Inspection Forum > Specific Inspection Topics > Plumbing Inspections

Notices

Plumbing Inspections Contains discussions about plumbing.

 
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 3/1/08, 12:24 AM
Bruce Thompson's Avatar
Bruce Thompson Bruce Thompson is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tyler, TX
Posts: 586
Default Flexible copper as gas line?

Can flexible copper be used as a gas line to a water heater?
Attached Thumbnails
flexible-copper-gas-line-picture-127a.jpg  



Bruce Thompson
Professional Inspector, Lic. #9199
Serving Tyler, Lindale, Bullard, Whitehouse, Mineola and the surrounding East Texas area.
www.TylerHomeInspector.com
NACHI 06081394
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3/1/08, 12:37 AM
Marc D. Shunk's Avatar
Marc D. Shunk Marc D. Shunk is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 1,980
Please Note: Marc D. Shunk is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Sure, done all the time. Particularly popular method with LP.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 3/1/08, 12:38 AM
Bruce Thompson's Avatar
Bruce Thompson Bruce Thompson is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tyler, TX
Posts: 586
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc D. Shunk
Sure, done all the time. Particularly popular method with LP.
I thought copper reacted with something in NG.?



Bruce Thompson
Professional Inspector, Lic. #9199
Serving Tyler, Lindale, Bullard, Whitehouse, Mineola and the surrounding East Texas area.
www.TylerHomeInspector.com
NACHI 06081394
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 3/1/08, 12:49 AM
rmaday's Avatar
rmaday rmaday is offline
Active Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Itasca, IL
Posts: 5,197
Please Note: rmaday is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Quote:
Originally Posted by bthompson1
Can flexible copper be used as a gas line to a water heater?
That copper, while "bendable", I don't believe that is "flexible" copper.

I don't like it.

Is there a drip leg?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 3/1/08, 12:51 AM
Bruce Thompson's Avatar
Bruce Thompson Bruce Thompson is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tyler, TX
Posts: 586
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rmaday
That copper, while "bendable", I don't believe that is "flexible" copper.

I don't like it.

Is there a drip leg?
Sorry, bad use of word.

For whatever reason...maybe our gas is cleaner down here, but I've never, ever seen a drip leg on any gas appliance.



Bruce Thompson
Professional Inspector, Lic. #9199
Serving Tyler, Lindale, Bullard, Whitehouse, Mineola and the surrounding East Texas area.
www.TylerHomeInspector.com
NACHI 06081394
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3/1/08, 12:55 AM
rmaday's Avatar
rmaday rmaday is offline
Active Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Itasca, IL
Posts: 5,197
Please Note: rmaday is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Here's something I found specific to Longview, Texas.

http://www.ci.longview.tx.us/files/h...klist_2494.pdf

I know y'all have some pretty tight rules, may want to call AHJ.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 3/1/08, 1:14 AM
Bob Elliott's Avatar
Bob Elliott Bob Elliott is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 21,908
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

First thing I noticed was the blocked therm control.
Copper used to have a bad reaction to NG in the past.
They used to add something which caused a corrosion.
I like to see black pipe as I never trust that thin wall stuff for a flamable.
Yes where is the drip leg.?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 3/1/08, 1:16 AM
rmaday's Avatar
rmaday rmaday is offline
Active Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Itasca, IL
Posts: 5,197
Please Note: rmaday is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Check out THIS THREAD.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 3/1/08, 1:23 AM
Bruce Thompson's Avatar
Bruce Thompson Bruce Thompson is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tyler, TX
Posts: 586
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Quote:
Originally Posted by relliott
First thing I noticed was the blocked therm control.
Copper used to have a bad reaction to NG in the past.
They used to add something which caused a corrosion.
I like to see black pipe as I never trust that thin wall stuff for a flamable.
Yes where is the drip leg.?
what do you mean by "blocked therm control"?

Oh, if you mean in the picture, that is an optical illusion. The dial wasn't blocked.



Bruce Thompson
Professional Inspector, Lic. #9199
Serving Tyler, Lindale, Bullard, Whitehouse, Mineola and the surrounding East Texas area.
www.TylerHomeInspector.com
NACHI 06081394
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 3/1/08, 1:41 AM
Bob Elliott's Avatar
Bob Elliott Bob Elliott is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 21,908
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Looked blocked but I think you should recommend a stainless flex

flexible-copper-gas-line-water-heater-small-.jpg.jpg
Views:	111
Size:	33.1 KB
ID:	19081
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 3/1/08, 1:52 AM
Jeffrey R. Pope's Avatar
Jeffrey R. Pope Jeffrey R. Pope is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 8,047
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Copper for NG is allowed by many jurisdictions. The utility company has the final say, and it's dependent on the hydrogen-sulfide content of the gas provided (must not exceed 0.3 grains per 100 cu. ft.)

In CA, we are required to use listed, flexible appliance connectors.



IF YOUR INSPECTOR IS NOT USING THERMAL IMAGING, YOU'RE NOT GETTING THE WHOLE PICTURE ®
Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
Santa Clarita CA
(661) 212-0738
Santa Clarita Home Inspection
http://www.MyInspector.net


Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 3/1/08, 2:12 AM
Bob Elliott's Avatar
Bob Elliott Bob Elliott is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 21,908
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Jeff even if allowed by code a copper flex like that I would still suggest changing.
Heck I have garden hose I would trust with a hose clamp more.
And have.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 3/1/08, 11:31 AM
rmaday's Avatar
rmaday rmaday is offline
Active Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Itasca, IL
Posts: 5,197
Please Note: rmaday is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpope
Copper for NG is allowed by many jurisdictions. The utility company has the final say
And there are some who do not allow it, thus call AHJ.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpope
In CA, we are required to use listed, flexible appliance connectors.
I think we can agree that that is not a listed, flexible appliance connector.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 3/1/08, 11:43 AM
Jeffrey R. Pope's Avatar
Jeffrey R. Pope Jeffrey R. Pope is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 8,047
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

It's not an "appliance connector" at all, nor is it "flexible." My point is that most commonly-recognized-codes allow for use of copper in NG piping, and it's usually the utility company that has the final say.



IF YOUR INSPECTOR IS NOT USING THERMAL IMAGING, YOU'RE NOT GETTING THE WHOLE PICTURE ®
Jeff Pope
JPI Home Inspection Service
Santa Clarita CA
(661) 212-0738
Santa Clarita Home Inspection
http://www.MyInspector.net


Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 3/1/08, 12:24 PM
Bruce Thompson's Avatar
Bruce Thompson Bruce Thompson is offline
InterNACHI Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tyler, TX
Posts: 586
Default Re: Flexible copper as gas line?

Quote:
Originally Posted by jpope
It's not an "appliance connector" at all, nor is it "flexible." My point is that most commonly-recognized-codes allow for use of copper in NG piping, and it's usually the utility company that has the final say.
Thanks. Good idea. I'll call the city and the gas company and ask them.

Bruce



Bruce Thompson
Professional Inspector, Lic. #9199
Serving Tyler, Lindale, Bullard, Whitehouse, Mineola and the surrounding East Texas area.
www.TylerHomeInspector.com
NACHI 06081394
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Help. What is the correct way to report a breaker that is too big. gromicko Electrical Inspections 77 5/10/12 6:13 PM
Copper Line Fitting Richard Seay Plumbing Inspections 2 3/27/07 7:25 AM
Flexible copper tubing carrying propane at interior, OK? kshepard Plumbing Inspections 1 3/3/07 1:24 AM
Flexible Natural Gas line thejnicki Plumbing Inspections 4 8/1/06 11:30 AM
Looking for comment by Caoimhín P. Connell phinsperger Ancillary Inspection Services & Additional Topics 2 2/18/06 11:22 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 8:56 AM.


Popular Sections

:

All Sections

Inspection News

InterNACHI Membership

Inspection Standards

Inspection Education

InterNACHI Inspectors

Inspection Links

 

 

 

NACHI.ORG Statistics

 

 

no new posts