In the state of Massachusetts, the connector length is currently restricted to a maximum of 36". And that`s why I wanted to create this guide to educate homeowners about the potential dangers of flexible gas lines and update them with the current code. In general, expect an estimated quote of $250 to correct the existing CSST and about $4,000 to replace it. When using a flexible gas connector, it must not exceed 3 feet (36 inches) in length. Yes, you can use approved soft copper for gas line work. In the state of Massachusetts, installation must be performed by a qualified or licensed contractor, plumber, or gasfitter qualified or licensed by the state. The manufacturer accepts no responsibility for improper installation, and does not provide in any great detail, of detrimental or catastrophic failure if done so. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Generally, the gas lines can be damaged due to any type of environmental or external damage and pose a serious risk to the house. CSST should never be directly connected to movable appliances like dryers, washers, and ovens. Many of my fellow contractors who install gas lines thought it was unsafe. It's messy and hard work, but I must admit I sort of enjoy it. It is important to bury the flexible gas line to secure the transportation of gas into your house. Gas pressure boosters may be installed in that portion of the gas piping system extending from the outlet of the meter set assembly to the inlet of the equipment requiring elevated or increased pressure when the following conditions have been satisfied: 5.6.2.2.1 Welding of Steel and Wrought Iron Pipe. Any material not explicitly listed in the standards specifications must be specifically tested for the purpose intended, to make sure that the material is safe and will function as intended. A typical black iron pipe installation requires a professional to precisely measure, cut, and thread the individual pieces of pipe. All piping installations must be both visually inspected and pressure tested before being rendered operational. A parallel CSST manifold system mimics an electric panel. The short flexible connector to your gas-fired stove, furnace, or hot water heater is not CSST. Flexible gas lines (also known as corrugated stainless steel tubing - CSST) have been installed in millions of homes in the U.S. and around the world. Flex lines are all the gas company will use for new connections other than the rigid pipe going up to meters. Hey, I'm Arie and I created this site. Many U.S. cities and towns (if not most) have adopted the provisions of the International Code Councils International Residential Code. For as long as I have been in the home building business, we always used similar brass appliance connector tubing when gas was supplied to a clothes dryer, a cooktop, or a gas range. Lightning strikes have caused numerous fires in residential homes as a result of CSST failing. Maxwell J. BrunnerLieutenantMenomonee Falls Fire DepartmentEmail- [emailprotected]. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. You can also see the pipe sizing chart for the manufacturer Gastite here. Read More: How to Locate Underground Gas Lines Before You Dig. Thank you for your website feedback! Watch this video to see what you think about the dangers of the material. It is also important to note that the IRC leaves out a lot of installation details for CSST and says to follow manufacturer instructions. Chapter 142, Sections 1 to 22; M.G.L. home improvement and repair website. How many turns past finger tight or snug do compression fittings need to go, what's a reasonable range (I know, don't overtighten, but I don't want the things coming apart!)? Flexible connectors are allowed to be used to connect appliances to gas pipelines. Diversity factor is an important factor determining the correct gas piping size to be used for supplying domestic ranges in multiple family dwellings; it applies to domestic ranges only and shall not apply to any other gas appliances. The regulation also mandates that steel and wrought iron pipe be marked with labels reading "Gas" and "ASTM D 2513." Sorry. As you can see, there is a significant multi-year gap in which Building Codes did not require proper bonding of flexible gas lines. Although the manufacturer states that it is completely safe, in fact safer than ridged black pipe, it has some serious issues. (a) Separate Traps for Each Fixture. Read More: How to Fight Code Enforcement. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Read Also >> What Is The Code For Toilet Clearances? (Reference Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 7, Section 9A). This type of gas line tubing is very popular among builders and contractors because of its ease of use, flexibility and its ability to save on labor installation costs especially over black iron pipe. A CSST that is not correctly grounded or bonded can leak natural gas or become ignited, leading to a major fire hazard. Flexible Gas Line Code (2023 CSST Requirements) An illustration of a magnifying glass. More on this in a just a moment. Can You Use A Flexible Gas Line On A Furnace? (Find Out Now!) A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Alternative fuel is defined as an energy source that is used to power a vehicle and is not gasoline or diesel. Who Can Help With Running or Installing a Gas Line? Accessible and three or six feet long: The flexible connectors cannot pass through walls, floors, or ceilings, and they cannot be hidden. 5.5.1.1 Gas Pressure Boosters. pagoda | Dec 19, 2006 09:54am | #4. These are traditional black iron pipes that I installed in 1987. It's not really a do-it-yourself proposition. An AFV powered by compressed natural gas or propane may only use Massachusetts tunnels if the vehicle conforms to applicable federal regulations and industry standards, displays required markings to identify its alternative fuel system, and is not used to transport fuel. Some CSST manufacturers will require a minimum of flex line support every 4-feet, but other companies may only need support every 8-9 feet. They're a new flexible stainless steel piping system that is installed like electrical wire. Spending hundreds of dollars more for black iron pipe may be well worth it in the long run if you have a house fire. Massachusetts Fuel and Gas Code. Plumbers and homeowners will need to follow the manufacturer's requirements and they should not bend the CSST too far. All information is provided "AS IS." Can you cut into the pipe at a future date to install an added gas appliance? Flex corrugated pipelines have been involved in a number of legal disputes over the years. There's no where in gas code that says flexible gas connectors are illegal to a hot water heater in Mass. Funding for eligible project costs is available for local or state agencies and public colleges and universities that reduce diesel emissions by converting engines to alternative fuels, retrofitting exhaust controls, purchasing new vehicles, or adding idle reduction equipment. CSST Banned in MA - Heating Help: The Wall What are the CSST gas line requirements? Many U.S. states around 2006 enacted a CSST gas line code that requires electrical bonding of CSST such as this example in Virginia. Correcting an existing installation can cost as little as $100, while replacing CSST with black pipe can cost several thousands of dollars. The requirements of IRC's Chapter 24 do not apply in a municipality, county or parish that has not adopted its provisions. It's important to realize you need to think about overall safety. Short answer: Generally not, but there are some flexible gas appliance connectors listed and approved for outdoor use, including some BrassCraft products like the company`s ProCoat stainless steel gas connector. Our commitment is to provide clear, original, and accurate information in accessible formats. flexible lines for gas and water in Massachusetts Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state, 248 CMR 3.00 - General Provisions Governing the Conduct of Plumbing and Gas Fitting Work Performed in the Commonwealth (effective April 30, 2021), 248 CMR 4.00 - Massachusetts Fuel Gas Code (effective April 30, 2021), 248 CMR 5.00 - Amendments to NFPA 54 (effective April 30, 2021), 248 CMR 11.00 - Education and Experience Standards and Requirements for Licensure (effective April 30, 2021), 248 CMR 3.00, 4.00, 5.00, 10.00, 11.00 - Effective Prior to April 30, 2021, Redlined Revisions to 248 - Effective April 30, 2021, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding New Regulation Changes. Can you put two hoses together? These extremely flexible pipes are made from stainless steel and often come coated in a trademark yellow casing, though they can sometimes be black. As a general rule, however, at least one shut-off valve should be installed, when the flexible gas line is connected to the "black iron" or hard gas line. If you are not able to get CSST tubing and can't handle working with black iron pipe, consider using soft copper. Flexible gas lines (known as CSST) are safe to use if properly installed in a home. OVM, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, will set new minimum standards for vehicle fuel economy and work with agencies to acquire vehicles that provide the best value for the Commonwealth on a total cost of ownership basis. Yellow Gas Piping in Your Home May Pose a Safety Risk Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters, State Plumbing Code, Board Policies, Variance Applications, and Other Forms, CSST Installed Above Ground Exterior to a Building, Maximum Temperature for Hand Sinks in Commercial Kitchens, Minimum Drain Size With Multiple Shower Heads, Safe Waste Pans for Water Heatersand Storage Tanks, Creation of Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (M.G.L Chapter 13, Sections 36 to 38), Licensing Provisions for Registration of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (M.G.L. I'm here to help you maintain, inspect, and renovate your home! What Is The Code For Dryer Vent Installations? This is a long time, no doubt, but not as long as traditional black steel pipes, which can last up to 75 years. Joining two or more connectors is not permitted by installation codes or product standards. Read Also >> What Is The Code For Water Heater Installations? If you need assistance, please contact the Trial Court Law Libraries. Visit SEVERAL firehouses to get different opinions. Photo: Serhii Ivashchuk / iStock / Getty Images. All of the gas lines that feed each appliance start at a central distribution point or manifold. This flexible gas piping has a very thin metal wall, only about 0.3-mm thick, and it can become a fire hazard if improperly installed. What Is The Code For Water Heater Installations? If this happens, the electricity from the lightning can arc, puncture a hole in the line, ignite the gas inside, and cause a fire. Studies have confirmed that a lighting strike near a home can puncture the membrane of CSST as result of the power surge. Section G2403 (202) further clarifies what the code means by "fuel gas": A natural gas, manufactured gas, liquefied petroleum gas or mixtures of these gases. The chapter's rules apply to the piping system from the point of delivery to the outlet of the appliance shutoff valves. You simply pull the material between two points and cut it to length with simple tubing cutters. DEAR BETSY: Congratulations! Please let us know how we can improve this page. Are any known to be better than the rest , I will be using a 12 vlave systym , seems to be all around the same price , just under $200.0, Plumbing, Piping, Water Heating, Wells, Air & Water Filtration and Conditioning, Troubleshooting a Refrigerator Water Line, Water leaking after first A/C use of the year. Several types of gas installations are exempt from these regulations, including: The size of pipes that must be used in residential piping installations for fuel gas are mandated in Section G2413 (402). The Massachusetts Department of Transportation may not enter into, renew, or renegotiate a contract with a fuel provider for services on the Massachusetts Turnpike without requiring the provider to offer alternative fuel. My first suspicion would be that the tubing acts like a lightning rod of sorts. I just saw your article and thought I would provide feedback. However, we don't get frequent thunderstorms here in central New Hampshire. I agree with Gerry on the furnace. Top-requested sites to log in to services provided by the state. I've had no issues with them at all and I even had to do a kitchen remodel where I extended an existing line. What are the Two Gas Line Install Choices? Lightning strikes are much rarer, accounting for only a portion of the 1.8% of residential fires caused by natural disasters. State fleets must also acquire AFVs according to the requirements of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 and the Massachusetts Office of Vehicle Management (OVM) must approve any light-duty vehicle acquisition. The Valves shall: Current through Register 1493, April 14, 2023. This code is updated every 3 years and it is known as a model code. The International Residential Code doesn't specify the wire to be used for bonding, but it ismost commonly a #6 AWG copper conductor and installed where the solid gas pipe gas line first comes into the home. If youre wondering what the hype is with flexible gas lines, lets clear some things up. The provisions of this section shall only apply to premises owned gas meters, which are comprised of a secondary meter and meter assembly installed on the downstream portion of the gas piping system of a serving gas supplier's meter. Installation procedures and alerts for flexible gas appliance connections You will see a number of manufacturer`s warnings and safety risks, including: Do not install flexible gas connectors in multiple or grouped sets use a single flexible connection line between the appliance and the gas supply connection point. If you have additional questions about codes specific to your area, contact your local building code officer. I remember when the material was first introduced in 1989. Keep reading! The code also provides the method for determining maximum gas demand and adjustments that must be made to compensate for higher altitude installations. I have this flexible gas line in my own home in central New Hampshire and never worry about it at all. Black iron pipe is very labor intensive. HEVs and AFVs must be acquired at a rate of at least 5% annually for all new motor vehicle purchases so that not less than 50% of the motor vehicles the Commonwealth owns and operates will be HEVs or AFVs by 2018. I would have preferred to close the pipes when they are not in use. The CSST systems can be installed one of two ways: The series installation resembles traditional black iron piping. DEAR TIM: The natural gas lines that are being installed in our new home are not the heavy black iron pipe. Special instructions for appliances inst alled in the S tate of Massachusetts: This appliance can only be installed in the State of Massachusetts by a Massachusetts licensed plumber or gas fitter. You may very well need to hire a local gas plumber to install the actual gas line and hire an electrician to handle the electrical circuit if any repairs are necessary. " (3) A listed connector in compliance with ANSI Z21.24, Standard for Connectors for Gas Appliances. Homeowners should check with the manufacturer to see if their CSST has an arc-resistant protective jacket. A requirement that installers must use gas shut-off valves comprised of materials compatible with the piping. organizations or governmental authorities for further information and access to definitive versions of these important laws. To see if you have CSST, look for long stretches of yellow-jacketed, flexible tubing in your basement, crawlspace, or attic. Saying that the jurisdiction in charge may refuse it. For 15 years our company has published content with clear steps to accomplish the how, with high quality sourcing to answer the why, and with original formats to make the internet a helpful place. It's feeding 1/4" OD soft copper tubing. #3. Chapter 112, Sections 61 to 65E), Water Filtration and Water Dispensing Systems, Adjustment and Replacement of Gas Controls, Limited LP Installers Connecting Propane Tanks, contact the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Some of their arguments never made sense to me. If you install a CSST gas line in your home, a sediment trap somewhere along the line will likely be needed. Please remove any contact information or personal data from your feedback. Mass.gov is a registered service mark of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, 248 CMR 4.00: Massachusetts fuel gas code, is, for 248 CMR 4.00: Massachusetts fuel gas code. Gas piping shall not penetrate building foundation walls at any point below grade. To find laws and incentives for other alternative fuels and advanced vehicles, search all laws and incentives. A qualified electrician or plumber should check the proper installation of the flexible gas line. 20187 Tim Carter. I have to check. Dominic, short answer: Generally not, but there are flexible gas appliance connectors listed and approved for outdoor use, including some . Flexible gas line code is a set of government regulations that controls flex gas line installations. suggestions. Make your practice more effective and efficient with Casetexts legal research suite. We will use this information to improve this page. This code came in as a response to damage to flexible gas lines and fires in homes struck by lightning. That would never happen with a piece of traditional black iron pipe. DoItYourself.com, founded in 1995, is the leading independent Can gas connectors be placed underground? CLICK HERE to get FREE & FAST BIDS from local plumbers who install gas lines. Watch this video to see how CSST pipe is installed. The gas piping is known as corrugated stainless steel tubing, or "yellow CSST.". We look forward to more photos, comments, questions. Repeated bending, flexing, extreme vibration, stretching, can cause metal fatigue, cracks, holes and dangerous gas leaks. When purchasing new motor vehicles, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must purchase HEVs or AFVs to the maximum extent feasible and consistent with the ability of such vehicles to perform their intended functions. Acceptable Shutoff Devices: Gas Cocks and Ball Valves installed for use shall be listed. Propane Laws and Incentives in Massachusetts - Energy This material was approved for residential use in 1988 by the National Fuel Gas Code. Please let us know how we can improve this page. 2014), Why Was Law and Order Los Angeles Cancelled. The Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters have Temporary banned the use of All Types of CSST Gas Piping Material including the new Counter Strike CSST effective Friday November 28, 2008. Section 2401.1 (101.2) governs the applicability of the provisions of Chapter 24, which covers fuel gas piping systems, fuel-gas appliances and related accessories, venting systems and combustion air configurations that are most commonly found in single-family and duplex-type dwelling structures. CSA design-certifies gas connectors up to 6' (72"). The list below contains summaries of all Massachusetts laws and incentives related to ethanol. I have seen many house defects over the years and saved my clients tens of thousands of dollars. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. I could be wrong. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Subscribe to the FREE Ask the Builder newsletter to receive professional advice for your home. I was afraid of CSST because of the thin nature of the pipe. Before installing gas piping systems to residential structures, be sure to check your local code enforcement ordinances. Questions of a Do It Yourself nature should be The IRC has two tables to determine pipe size in Chapter 24 for flexible gas lines. i'm trying to figure out if flexible lines are allowed for domestic water and natural gas in MA. I need to install a compression stop valve on 1/2" copper. Some of these violations can be life-safety hazards, so avoiding these mistakes is crucial. 1. A qualified electrician or plumber should verify proper installation of the flexible gas line. Gas piping shall enter and exit a building at a point above grade and the . I responded to this very interesting email with a few thoughts of my own. A lock icon ( To get a quote, contact a local home inspector or licensed electrician near you to inspect your gas lines. Reviewed by Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBA. or more per Range. I know as I have installed thousands of linear feet of the heavy material. How tight to make compression fittings for stop valve on copper? Read more about our editorial standards. Residential Gas Piping Rules | Legal Beagle (a)Welding shall not be construed as the practice of gas-fitting, however, a licensed plumber or gas fitter may not utilize welded pipes and fittings unless they conform to the specifications cited in subsections 5.6.2.2 and A.5.5.1 (1). All installers should contact their local inspector regarding any existing permits that were taken prior to Friday November 28, 2008. Flexible appliance connectors also have a corrugated pipe except that the corrugation is visible and there is no plastic sheathing. (Reference Massachusetts Department of Transportation Laws and Rules 700 CMR 7.07). Flex Gas Line Should Not Be Connected To Movable Appliances, Protective Plating Should Be Installed When CSST May Be Punctured, The Maximum Allowable Bending Radius of Flex Gas Lines, Sediment Trap Will Likely Need To Be Installed, Where To Place Smoke Detectors? 20. Building Codes requiring bonding of CSST flexible gas lines came into practice no earlier than 2007. Additional terms and conditions apply. Since CSST is a very thin metal with a thickness of about 0.3 mm, it is more sensitive to lightning. Section 10.08 - Traps and Cleanouts. Alternative fuel is defined as an energy source that is used to power a vehicle and is not gasoline or diesel. Most U.S. municipalities have adopted the provisions of the International Residential Code, Chapter 24. And of course, covering a shut-off valve on a gas line behind drywall is probably a red flag for any code compliance inspector. IMAGE LOST by the old version of Clark Van Oyen`s useful comment code now fixed. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Alternative Fuel and Advanced Technology Vehicles, Project Assistance & Funding Opportunities, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6C, Section 75 and Chapter 90, Section 1, Massachusetts Department of Transportation Laws and Rules 700 CMR 7.07, Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 7, Section 9A. Traps and Cleanouts, 248 Mass. Reg. 10.08 - Casetext Section G2415.3 (404.3) prohibits installing pipes through ductwork, clothing chutes, chimneys, elevator shafts and dumbwaiters.
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