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Flexible Gas Lines

B

Bubbles Galore

Active member
I just ordered my Takagi on-demand heater for my low pressure pre-soak passes in the Razor and gave myself the old forehead smack when I realized that I have to run roughly 50' of gas line up and overhead to get to where the heater is going to be installed. I know local and state codes will vary, but is this an acceptable method for feeding my new heater? Does anyone have experience with it and has it ever been an issue with the inspector?

Thanks in advance.

John
 
FYI...it is less than 200k btu so it falls outside of required state inspections, but no reason to have them get all excited if I can avoid it.

Thanks!
 
There are federal codes in NFPA 58 & NFPA 54 that deal with this. All states are governed and enforce these codes. The states may also have there own individual caveats. If your state doesn't have gas or solid fuel codes it is then up to the local jurisdictions to enforce. Usually the fire chief or inspector. With that said you will need to calculate tour CCST size based on total BTU demand and run length. Counter Strike or Wardflex are options that fit this application but under code need to be Bonded and that sometimes creates more labor than runing black iron pipe.
 
**********FYI...it is less than 200k btu so it falls outside of required state inspections, but no reason to have them get all excited if I can avoid it.***********


There are no BTU exemptions from the NFPA coeds and this is what your insurance company will go by if there is a situation.

Inspection on gas systems should never be avoided. We run into 20+ code violations and systems with leaks or under sizing every year. And these are from licensed professionals with supposedly trained knowledge.
 
Yes make sure you size the pipe correctly, Those little heaters eat a lot of fuel, 1/2" is not big enough unless you have a high pressure meter.
 
I think cost wise the black iron is cheaper, and around here it doesn't matter who installs it if you can hold 60psi for 24hrs for the inspector. I had the flex with yellow plastic coating run at an apt. bldg, and wasn't all that expensive to have done by HVAC guy. With those guys labor will be more with iron.
 
Bubbles Galore said:
gave myself the old forehead smack when I realized that I have to run roughly 50' of gas line up and overhead to get to where the heater is going to be installed. I know local and state codes will vary,

Thanks in advance.

John
Click to expand...

John,

Make sure that the calculations are properly done to allow for whatever pressure drop. Having said that ... I would say that 50' would be a better fit for rigid piping. The natural gas tap from our laundromat to our car wash is definitely over 50' & I would not consider flex even if it did happen to be legal. I would think that the better installers would factor in the long term risk & may charge more doing it flex based on that. Just because something meets code ... should not mean a "green light".

Another consideration ... would be to partially use stainless steel rather than black iron if it was run through any continuously wet area. Material wise, 3/4" &/or 1/2" rigid pipe is pretty low cost for only 50'. Also watch for anything that could chafe the pipe from slight vibration over the long term.

In my opinion, like Whale said ... it should not matter who installs it as long it is supported properly & properly checked & monitored for potential leaks. After installation ... alertness & action on any problems is equally important.

mike
 
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