My Gas Gauge Is Not Reading Correctly

Gas Piping Specifications

• Mail a QUESTION or Annotate well-nigh LP gas pressure level, propane gas force per unit area, and natural gas pressure in pipage, at regulators, at appliances

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LP or Propane Gas Pressures & Natural Gas Pressure questions & answers:

Questions, answers, FAQs about the mutual operating pressures of natural gas and LP or liquid petroleum gas at the gas regulators, in building gas piping and at gas appliances.

This article series gives the standard pressure ranges and pressure settings for LP gas, propane gas, and natural gas fuels, including pressures found in the distribution service pipage, in the in-edifice gas piping, and at gas fired appliances such every bit gas stoves, wearing apparel dryers, furnaces, boilers, and LP gas or natural gas fired water heaters. Since there several ways that people express gas pressures we include more than on clarification of common LP gas or natural gas system operating pressures in this commodity.

We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you can endeavour the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick manner to observe information you need.

Gas Pipage Materials, Sizes, Codes, Specifications for LP or Natural Gas in Residential Systems

Question: James W. Howe on Size of Gas Pipe Required

2016/09/26 James w Howe Jr said:

I was taught to E'er use copper flex with LP gas and black pipe with NG. I'm am Not talking almost force per unit area here! That stated, my supply is two 100 lb tanks with an "automatic switch over valve". The lines from the tanks to the valve are 1/8th inch.

I need to feed a thirty inch 5 burner gas stove with a convection oven, a gas clothes dryer and a tankless 10L h2o heater that has a 1/ii inch gas inlet. Instead of running i/ii inch copper flex with Ts to each appliance, exercise i demand to increase the volume in the system to accept enough gas to feed all three appliances.

If I was using NG, i'd install at least a x foot slice of 1 1/4 blackness pipe to build up the book and so run 1/2 inch Ts with one/2 inch piping to the appliances. With LP I'd use 3/8 copper flex for the dryer and stove and the 1/2 inch called for for the water heater, BUT, I need to get plenty volume start and then how should I proceed? All of the answers on your site deal with pressure and THAT is non the issue here!

Forgot my contact info: jwhowejr@centurylink.net

[Click to enlarge any image]

Reply:

Thanks for the comment and question, James, it helps us realize where we demand to piece of work on making our text more articulate or more complete. A competent onsite inspection by an expert usually finds additional clues that would permit a more accurate, consummate, and administrative answer than we tin can requite by email alone.

You will find additional depth and detail in articles at our website. Meet the Article Index link at the end of this article for a library of information about LP and natural gas piping, installations, equipment, pressures, regulators, etc. That said I offering these comments.

There's quite a list of types of piping textile approved for use in gas piping systems; the distinctions I have seen are about the awarding - location such as in a higher place or below ground rather than the fuel difference between LP and NG; there have been, historically, opinions about gas pipe and corrosion differences between the sources (thence the history of "clay legs" on NG pipage systems.

The list of gas piping materials - function of your question, depending on where the pipe is used, includes aluminum (in some locations and never beneath ground), brass (xanthous - the old traditional gas piping found indoors in older buildings), copper type Fifty or K rated for gas systems, iron (black ductile fe) above basis and possibly below footing in some jurisdictions, PE and PVC for outdoor surreptitious use, and of course thinwall corrugated, coated flexible copper appliance connectors.

Watch out: Some jurisdictions such as New York City specifically prohibit use of some pipe materials such as cast atomic number 26, copper, brass, aluminum, and metal tubing (with exceptions).

I haven't seen pipage approval distinctions based on fuel but I think some opinions on that stem from differences in fuel moisture and contaminants, hence the "dirt leg" we see on older iron gas piping systems; I call back that nosotros don't meet galvanized iron considering corrosives in NG supplies may cause coating loss and clogging; at the cease of the 24-hour interval it's the local plumbing inspector whose discussion is law.

Run across NFPA #58 adopted by many jurisdictions permitting either blazon of steel piping every bit long every bit information technology's certified to meet ASTM A53 steel pipe standards;

Here's an excerpt example from a local metropolis gas code pertaining to natural gas pipe. LPG regulations will sometimes differ.

New NG gas piping tin be of Schedule 40 steel pipe with threaded fittings, Type L rigid copper tubing with brazed fittings, Blazon L soft copper tubing with flared fittings, or flexible CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing) with manufacturer provided fittings. - City of Brownton, MN 55312 www.cityofbrownton.com (outside Minneapolis/St. Paul MN).

Lesser line: to comply with pipage materials choices you need to find out what local building or plumbing inspectors will accept every bit rules vary by jurisdiction.

I agree that i/eight" bore is not likely to provide adequate flow rates to multiple appliances nor over distance. Typically the plumber connecting multiple appliances uses a larger line to bring gas into the building.

Also see GAS PRESSURES LP vs NATURAL GAS - the home page for this topic.

There we hash out gas pressure drop in long runs or pocket-size piping sizes. You lot'll see that pressure level and pipe size and delivery rates are continued. P1V1 = P2V2.

Fifty-fifty for brusque piping runs at that place are recommended minimum pipe diameters. None of them in current standards for gas pipage is one/8".

Gas tank switchover valves for multiple LP tank installations

For other readers, Automatic or manual switchover valves: I'm indeed not sure that we're talking about the aforementioned device, nor that it has to exercise with gas piping size and pressure.

Switchover valves used, eastward.one thousand. in Commonwealth of australia, Canada, the U.S., the U.Grand. and other countries switch between two LP tanks then that as fuel runs low in ane LP tank the homeowner tin switch to the full tank. Nosotros also call those besides "changeover valves". A changeover valve is particularly useful when the empty LP tank is to be physically swapped-out for a total one.

Changeover valves are sold in both manual and automated forms. Some changeover valves are combined with a gas regulator as shown in our photo above. Shown is a Winntec Model 6020 P1.0-15.6 Q6.R280 LP gaws regulator and changeover valve combined. This changeover valve is sold at plumbing and heating suppliers and at some RV suppliers such as campingworld.com.

Reader follow-upwardly: y'all practice know what NPT stands for, right?

019/09/26
James Said:

Why do [-es everyone I ask] seem to take to e'er go back to talk about force per unit area. My run is only nigh 10 feet so force per unit area IS NOT an outcome! I also have to guess that you are completely unfamiliar with an automatic switch over valve. I realize that they are seldom used anymore, just if you don't have knowledge of them, you should have passed the question to someone who does.

The final i knew, I live in the skilful 'ol USofA and in this country, we have something called the National plumbing Code. Since I am not a licensed plumber, i do not take a re-create so asked a question of a website that I thought could give me a reasonable answer.

To my dismay that is Not the case. Thank you, but no thank you, i'll seek my answers elsewhere! By the manner, the outlet on the automatic switch over valve is 1/two inch NPT…you do know what NPT stands for, right? jwh,jr

Moderator reply: delight be careful about quick, shallow "answers" to questions involving life-safety

Of course pressure will be uniform throughout a organization until appliances are using fuel. Then the pressure level drop will depend on the length and size of piping. And use of a switchover or equally we prefer changeover valve on LP tanks does not amend the requirements for gas piping sizing based on the menstruation requirements.

Sorry that our initial reply was disruptive for you. We have readers in over 50 countries so nosotros don't assume that nosotros know where they live. "National Plumbing Lawmaking" itself is a standard that varies by country.

Only in the U.S., the National Plumbing Code is not the best resources for answering your question. Instead you lot'll want to see NFPA 54 that you lot can admission for free, online. We include the necessary information to practise and so at the stop of this article.

Distressing besides to run across you and so aggravated that your electronic mail digresses to insults. We effort our best to serve millions of readers a month, finding data if we don't already have information technology, researching for authoritative, unbiased sources and eschewing arm-waving opinion.

Sometimes, depending on how your question has been worded, its length and content, nosotros may not correctly sympathise the central question.

We also sympathise the natural wish of a reader who says "never mind all that malarkey, just TELL ME THE Reply". But sometimes the questioner appears to us to be facing life condom hazards as well as building lawmaking and standard, permits, or licensing bug that we think requires a bit more information to come up with a reasonable and safe solution to a trouble.

InspectAPedia is an independent publisher of building, environmental, and forensic inspection, diagnosis, and repair data provided free to the public - we have no concern nor financial connection with any manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website.

Nosotros are dedicated to making our information equally accurate, complete, useful, and unbiased as possible: nosotros very much welcome critique, questions, or content suggestions for our web articles. Working together and exchanging data makes us better informed than any private can be working alone.

Lookout out: It's more important to sympathize that too loftier or also depression gas pressures are unsafe, risking not just apparatus malfunction just fire or explosion or fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.

For this reason, nobody, even the most generous plumber, if she or he has an ounce of sense, is going pretend that she tin can tell someone exactly what kind and size of gas piping is required for an installation about which she knows next to cipher.

The danger of giving a person of unknown training and skill "how to" advice is that in that location is about always one or more important considerations that an on-site expert would notice but that are not offered by the person asking the question. When discussing fuel gas pipage at that place's the ever present take a chance that the reader later blow himself upwardly or catches his building afire. That caveat fabricated we continue to effort to help you out:

Reader follow-upwards: so answer my question: how big should my gas pipes be? Do I need a manifold with multiple outlets?

016/09/27 James Westward. Howe Jr. said

Insults? I repeat my question: since there is just a half inch outlet on the switchover valve, should I use black piping with LP to increase the book since fifty-fifty with the new products on the market for LP, I haven't seen whatever that take a diameter larger than three quarters of an inch OR should I merely put a short manifold on the valve outlet with three half inch outlets on information technology and run 3 half inch lines, ane to each appliance? jwh,jr

Moderator answer: excerpts on gas pipe diameter & length & BTUH or Cubic Feet per Hour Gas Supply for NG or LPG from model gas codes & resources

James:

Thank yous for clarifying your question to focus on LP gas pipe size or diameter for a ten-human foot length for an united nations-specified number of appliances or gas-fueled equipment.

Your original question mixed piping type, pipage diameter, manifolds, fuels, tank changeover valves, and appliances of unknown input or BTUH requirements so nosotros were non sure what answer would exist almost helpful.

You lot asserted that you're asking but about pipe diameter and you don't care near pressure, but it'due south important to sympathize that it'southward inadequate pipage size (or improper regulators or regulator settings) that would deliver inadequate gas force per unit area (or flow charge per unit in CFM per minute) at ane or more appliances.

Typically the plumber measures gas pipe pressure level outset with all appliances off, and then with them on. If the pressure level with all appliances using fuel falls below the required input pressure at the apparatus regulators the plumber knows to choose among
increment pipage diameter size or to become to a two stage regulator system. A two phase regulator organization is not normally required in a typical dwelling house gas pipage installation.

You referred by electronic mail to lacking a copy of a model plumbing code such as the U.Due south. National Plumbing Lawmaking

Equally you'll read CHAPTER 4, Gas Piping Installations, Department FGC 401, in the New York City Gas Code, found at https://InspectAPedia.com/plumbing/NYC_Gas_Code_CH_4_Gas_Piping_Installations_2014.pdf - provided free at InspectApedia.com every bit well equally by New York City, or as you tin read in what'south the all-time resource well-nigh gas pipage installation, the National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54, proper sizing of gas piping cannot be decided by arm-waving, shouting, nor insult.

Rather one needs to do some simple arithmetic, looking at piping lengths, diameters, fuel type, AND the input BTUH (or cubic feet of gas per hour) required the appliances on the gas piping system.

Watch out: beware of a simple "just give me the respond" need for questions that are incomplete, for which a safe proper answer requires more information, and for which a hasty ane-size-fits'all answer could kill you or others.

I tin can't answer your gas manifold question every bit that's a local plumbing decision based on space, convenience, and other factors suggested here.

LP Gas Piping Sizing Codes, Tables & Examples

• 3/viii" OD Copper tubing 10 feet long tin can support 49 KBTUH (Thousand BTUs/Hour) of gas flow or supply at 11 inches W.C. with a 0.5" W.C. pressure level drop.

  We're using this pressure range equally it's well-nigh common for household appliances but you will need to check the specifications for your own appliances.

• i/ii" OD Copper tubing x ft. long can back up 110 KBTUH as above
• three/iv" OD Copper tubing 10 ft. long tin back up 348 KBTUH equally in a higher place
• ane/2" iron pipe (of an approved type) 10 ft. of length can deliver 291 KBTUH every bit in a higher place
• 3/four" iron pipe 10 ft. of length tin can evangelize 608 KBTUH as above
• See additional gas pipe sizing tables and guidelines in the Codes and IO Manuals cited and provided beneath.

Note that these information points are for eleven" W.C. gas line sizing & copper.

Different data than that given in the gas pipe sizing merely above volition be obtained if you are designing a 2 psig gas line.

What'southward the Divergence betwixt an 11" wc gas pipe system and a ii psig gas piping system?

11" wc is the most-common residential gas piping system merely some new installations are being installed using a 2psig gas piping organisation. ("psig" refers to psi read on a pressure gauge or "guess force per unit area".

11" W.C. (Water Column) = 0.397 psig.

Formula to convert pressure level P to psi: psi = P / 27.679904842545

Or for convenience 1 psi = 27.7 in W.C.

What's the divergence betwixt PSI, PSIA, and PSIG?

PSI = pounds per square inch

PSIA = atmospheric pressure or force per unit area if measured compared to a pure vacuum. At sea level atmospheric pressure level is 14.7 PSIA

PSIG = gauge pressure expressed in psi. Guess pressure will evidence 0 at ocean level. Since most building gas pressures are read using a pressure estimate it is proper to refer to psig or gauge force per unit area.

An instance for 2psi pipage systems is given below.

Maxitrol 325-series ii psig Gas Pressure level Regulator GAS Menses Charge per unit from Open PIPE
Flow of Natural Gas Less Escape Volume 3	Length of Service Pipe
	25 ft		fifty ft		100 ft
	BTUs	CFH	BTUs	CFH	BTUs	CFH
3/4" Iron Pipe @ 6" w.c.	600K	600	440K	440	315K	315
3/viii" OD Tubing @ 2 psi	210K	210	148	148	105K	105

Notes to the tabular array higher up:

1. For Natural Gas Maxitrol assumes chiliad btus / cubic foot of gas - this allows translation of cu.ft. into BTUs
2. CFH = Cubic Feet per Hr
3. Less Escapement Volume: Gas at 6" w.c. escapes from a 3/4" pipe at about three times the rate of gas from a 3/ 8" OD tube at 2-psi. The chart beneath shows catamenia comparisons at the discharge terminate. From the standpoint of uncontrolled escape of gas within a building, the 2-psi system has less period than the 6" westward.c. organisation.
4. ANSI Z21.80 is the ANSI standard for line pressure regulators, intended for application in natural gas piping systems and LP (propane). Maxitrol's 325 Serial 50-models are CSA certified (Z21.80) for two-psi inlet force per unit area, with the seven to 11 (inches w.c. outlet) spring.
5. Source: MAXITROL 2-psi GAS PIPING SYSTEMS 325 Series GAS REGULATORS for DOMESTIC GAS PIPING [PDF] (2005) Maxitrol Company 23555 Telegraph Rd., P.O. Box 2230 Southfield, MI 48037-2230 U.S.A. www.maxitrol.com
6. See too GAS BTUH, CUBIC FEET & Free energy
7. Run across also GAS PRESSURES LP vs NATURAL GAS

Gas Piping Sizing Codes, Specifications, Resources

• NFPA 54, ANSI Z223.1, (2015) The gas piping tables in NFPA 54 include a reminder of allowances needed to business relationship for bends, fittings, valves - effectively those increase the effective "length" of the pipage when figuring lengths and pipe size requirements. Similar gas piping size charts are given by LP gas suppliers. This standard provides minimum prophylactic requirements for the blueprint and installation of fuel gas piping systems in homes and other buildings.
  As NFPA Explains NFPA 54 addresses the following:
  
  Requirements cover the installation and operation of fuel gas piping systems, appliances, equipment, and related accessories, with rules for pipe systems materials and components, piping system testing and purging, combustion and ventilation air supply, and venting of gas-fired appliances and equipment.

  You can buy a copy of the National Fuel Gas Code from NFPA at http://world wide web.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards?style=code&code=54

  NFPA also permits viewing of NFPA 54 online, costless if will have the fourth dimension and problem to register with the association. NFPA = the National Burn down Protection Association, whom you lot can contact at
  NFPA
  one Batterymarch Park
  Quincy, Massachusetts U.s. 02169-7471
  Telephone +1 800 344-3555 (U.S. & Canada) +ane 617 770-3000 (International)

• APPENDIX A: SIZING & CAPACITIES of GAS Pipe [PDF] as adopted in the U.S. by Virginia's adoption of the the IFGS and the National Fuel Gas Code volition provide details of the information y'all need for an actual, safe answer to your gas piping questions.
• RESIDENTIAL PROPANE INSTALLATION GUIDE - GAS PIPING MATERIALS [PDF] Minnesota Propane Gas Clan, PO Box 220, Princeton MN 55371, Tel: 763-633-4271, Website: www.mnpropane.org retrived 2020/05/08, original source: www.lakesgas.com/images/2019/Residential-Propane-Guide.pdf is some other example that lists allowable gas piping materials
• "LP GAS LINE SIZING CHARTS", [PDF] LP-Gas Equipment Inc. 881 Hersey St. St. Paul, Minnesota 55114 USA, Phone (651) 646-1177 Minnesota: 800-652-9072 Out-of-Land: 800-328-9222 East-mail: info[at]lp-gasequipment.com, retrieved 2016/09/27 original source: http://www.lp-gasequipment.com/products/pdf/LPGas_Cat2010_p157-175.pdf There you'll find the following tables:
• Gas pipe or tubing length vs. pipage size for 11" Westward.C. - gas line sizing chart for copper tubing & piping
• Gas pipe or tubing length vs. pipage size for two PSIG - gas line sizing nautical chart for copper tubing & piping
• Gas pipe or tubing length vs. piping size for 10 PSIG - gas line sizing nautical chart for copper tubing & pipe
• Gas piping or tubing length vs. pipage size for x PSIG - gas line sizing nautical chart for polyethylene tubing
• Gas piping or tubing length vs. pipe size for 10 PSIG - gas line sizing nautical chart for CSST corrugated stainless steel tubing (Also encounter GAS Pipe, FLEXIBLE CSST)
• Liquid menstruum gas supply sizing charts rated in gallons per hour vs length of pipe and pipe diameter
• Gas equipment orifice size (and drill size) vs. BTUH capacity at various pressures
• Other tables, charts, calculations useful to gas piping installers and technicians

• MAXITROL two 1/2" GAS Appliance REGULATOR 210G-2 1/2 & 220 Series INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS [PDF] upward to 26,000,000 BTU - (shown in a higher place) every bit offered past globalindustrial.com, retrieved 2021/02/09, original source: https://www.globalindustrial.com/

  Website Excerpt:
  The 210 Serial Is A Lock-Upwardly Type Regulator And Compiles With Codes Using This Specification. The 210 Series Has Been Designed For Maximum Control Function In An Like shooting fish in a barrel To Apply Bundle. The Series Is Intended For Utilise With Gas-Fired Boilers, Steam Generators, Industrial Furnaces, Ovens And Similar High Demand Equipment. The Balanced Valve Design Eliminates The Inlet Pressure level Effect Acting On The Valve. Regulating Stability Is Improved And Hunting Tendencies Reduced Past The Use Of Dampening Mechanisms In Both The Sabbatical Outlet And Sensing Tube. Y'all Go Precise Regulation Over A Wide Range Of Pressures And Flow Rates With The 210 Series, Including A "Null Governor" Awarding. Made in the USA.

• MAXITROL GAS REGULATORS Chapters CHARTS 210-series [PDF] (2006) Maxitrol Company 23555 Telegraph Rd., P.O. Box 2230 Southfield, MI 48037-2230 United statesA. www.maxitrol.com and in Europe: Maxitrol Company 23555 Telegraph Rd., P.O. Box 2230 Southfield, MI 48037-2230 United states of americaA. www.maxitrol.com - retrieved 2021/02/09, original source: industrialcontrolsonline.com

• SENSUS 243 GAS REGULATOR SPECIFICATIONS [PDF] (2013) Sensus Corp., 805 Liberty Boulevard, DuBois, PA 15801 U.s.a. Website: sensus.com/gas Tel: i-800-375-8875
• SENSUS 243 GAS REGULATOR IO MANUAL [PDF] Op. Cit. - Includes Chapters Tables for natural gas for this regulator model.

In that reference you will see that for longer gas pipe runs, in excess of 100 feet, copper tubing in any size, 3/8" to seven/eight" O.D. is non permitted and won't work.

Example Natural Gas Piping Code Excerpts

Hither are a few explanatory excerpts from New York City's natural gas piping code; we provided some LP gas piping length examples in an earlier answer. :

401.3 [Natural Gas Piping ] Modifications to existing systems.

In modifying or calculation to existing piping systems, sizes shall be maintained in accordance with this chapter.

401.4 [Natural Gas Piping ] Boosted appliances.

Where an additional appliance is to be served, the existing piping shall be checked to decide if it has adequate chapters for all appliances served. If inadequate, the existing organization shall exist enlarged as required or separate piping of acceptable chapters shall exist provided.

401.iii Modifications to existing [Natural Gas Piping ] systems.

In modifying or adding to existing pipage systems, sizes shall exist maintained in accordance with this affiliate.

401.iv Additional [Natural Gas Piping ] appliances.

Where an additional appliance is to be served, the existing pipage shall be checked to determine if information technology every bit adequate capacity for all appliances served.
If inadequate, the existing system shall be enlarged as required or dissever piping of acceptable capacity shall be provided.

402.iii [Natural Gas Piping ] Sizing.

Gas pipage shall be sized in accordance with i of the following:

1.Piping sizing tables or sizing equations in accordance with Department 402.iv.

2.The sizing tables included in a listed piping system'south manufacturer'southward installation instructions.

iii.Other approved engineering science methods.

iv.Individual outlets to gas ranges shall non be less than ¾ inches (19 mm) NPS .

402.4 [Natural Gas Piping ] Sizing tables and equations.

Where Tables 402.4(1) through 402.4(5) are used to size piping or tubing,
the pipage length shall be determined in accordance with Section 402.4.1, 402.iv.2 or 402.4.iii.

402.4.ane Longest [Natural Gas Piping ] length method.

The pipe size of each section of gas piping shall be adamant using the longest length of pipage from the point of
delivery to the nigh remote outlet and the load of the section

402.4.two [Natural Gas Piping ] Branch length method.

Pipe shall be sized as follows:

one.Pipe size of each department of the longest pipe run from the point of delivery to the most remote outlet shall exist adamant using the longest run of pipage and the load of the section.

two.The pipe size of each department of co-operative pipage not previously sized shall be determined using the length of piping from the point of delivery to the most remote outlet in each branch and the load of the section.

402.4.3 [Natural Gas Piping ] Hybrid pressure.

The piping size for each section of higher pressure gas pipage shall be adamant using the longest length of pipage from the point of delivery to the most remote line pressure regulator. The pipe size from the line pressure regulator to each outlet shall be determined using the length of pipage from the regulator to the almost remote outlet served by the regulator.

Examples:

Using Schedule forty Metallic Pipe and Natural Gas, where inlet pressure level [at the appliance] must exist less than ii psi, the force per unit area driblet in the system must exist no less than 0.three" westward.c. [Later tables in this reference allow grater pressure level drop and and so will support college CFM of gas per hour for the aforementioned bore and lengths of pipage].

• ten feet of i/ii" pipage (actual ID 0.622) can provide 131 cubic feet of gas per hr
• 10 feet of 3/iv" pipe can provide 273 cubic feet of gas per hour
• twenty anxiety of 1/2" pipe tin can provide xc cubic anxiety of gas per hour
• twenty feet of 3/iv" piping can provide 188 cubic feet of gas per hour

The codes I cite give detailed tables of piping types, diameters, lengths, and the pipe's chapters to deliver some number of cubic feet of gas per hour. Take a look at your own appliances to see their requirements. Or you tin look up typical apparatus BTUH requirements in the documents we've cited.

402.5 Allowable [Natural Gas Pipage ] pressure drib.

The design force per unit area loss in any piping system under maximum likely flow conditions, from the point of delivery to the inlet connection of the appliance, shall exist such that the supply pressure at the appliance is greater than or equal to the minimum pressure required by appliance.

403.ane [Natural Gas Piping ] General.

Materials used for pipage systems

shall be new and comply with the requirements of this affiliate or shall be approved.

403.ane.one [Natural Gas Piping ] Pipe size and pressure limitations.

1. All requirements for installation of gas distribution pipage with operating pressures at ½ psig (3.5 kPa gauge) or less and higher up ½psig (3.5 kPa estimate) shall exist in accord with Affiliate iv of this code.

two. Gas distribution piping operating at a pressure of over ½psig (iii.5 kPa gauge) to 5 psig (34.5 kPa gauge) and size 4 inches (102 mm) or larger shall be welded.Exception:Manufactured and listed gas trains provided with the appliance may be threaded

iii. All gas distribution piping operating at a pressure above v psig (34.5 kPa gauge) shall exist welded.

4. All welding of gas distribution piping shall be bailiwick to special inspection equally set forth in Department 406.

v. All piping four inches (102 mm) and greater operating at pressure exceeding 5 psig (34.5 kPa gauge) must exist butt welded, subject to special inspection and radiographed.

half-dozen.Threaded piping may exist used upwards to iv inches (102 mm) at force per unit area no greater than ½psig (3.5 kPa gauge).

403.2 Used [Natural Gas Pipe ] materials.

Used pipe, fittings, valves and othermaterials shall not be reused.

403.three Other [Natural Gas Piping ] materials.

Material not covered by the standards specifications listed herein shall be investigated and tested to decide that it is safe and suitable for the proposed service, and, in addition, shall exist recommended for that service by the manufacturer subject field to approving by the commissioner.

403.iv [Natural Gas Piping ] Metal pipage.

Metallic pipe shall comply with Sections403.4.1 through 403.4.4.

403.4.1 [Natural Gas Piping ] Cast iron.

Cast-fe piping shall not exist used.

403.iv.ii [Natural Gas Piping ] Steel.

Carbon steel and wrought-iron pipage shall be at least of standard weight and shall comply with ane of the following standards:1.ASME B36.ten, 10M2.ASTM A 53/A53M; or3.ASTM A 106.403.4.3 Copper and brass.

Copper and brass pipage shall no tbe used.

403.four.iv [Natural Gas Pipe ] Aluminum.

Aluminum-alloy pipage shall not exist used.

403.5 [Natural Gas Piping ] Metallic tubing.

Metallic tubing shall not be usedexcept equally provided in Section 405.5

Watch out: There are life safety hazards involved when fooling with gas piping and appliances. Check with your local plumbing officials about what type of gas piping are permitted where you live, and while you're at information technology, enquire what gas pipe or plumbing permits and safe and lawmaking compliance inspections are required where you live.

Natural Gas Apparatus Operating Pressures in WC, millibars, Pascals, PSI or ounces of pressure

A mutual operating pressure level for natural gas appliances is around 7 inches of water column (WC) or re-stating this in equivalent measure, that'due south xiv.9 millibars or 1743 Pascals or Pa, or about 0.25 psi (pounds per square inch) or about 4 ounces of pressure level per foursquare inch.

See NATURAL GAS Apparatus PRESSURES for details.

LP or Propane Gas Appliance Operating Pressures in WC, millibars, Pascals, PSI or ounces of force per unit area

A mutual operating pressure for liquid petroleum or LP gas appliance is 10" - xi" of h2o column (WC) or re-stating this in equivalent measures, that's 27.4 millibars or 2491 - 2739 Pascals or Pa, or about 0.36 - 0.xl psi or about 5.78 to 6.36 ounces of force per unit area per square inch.

Encounter LPG & PROPANE Appliance PRESSURES for details.

Reader Q&A on gas piping

@Joe,

Here is a propane-to-natural-gas connector kit - this case is the Permasteel Natural Gas Conversion Kit for Kenmore Grills 6-Burner + Side Burner.

As you lot tin run into, those are different materials.

Sentry out: Some gas connector lines, but not all of them, are rated for both LPG and natural gas fuels.

I would not use propane gas connectors nor other parts on a natural gas barbecue Before reading the specifications for your specific product.

Below is a connector hose described equally rated for propane gas.

Have a wait at the materials and also take a look at the requirements to convert a gas grille from Propane to Natural Gas - my second illustration I'll postal service in a minute.

Bottom line:

You MIGHT be able to apply the same hose for connecting to EITHER Propane or Natural Gas **if** the hose is specifically rated for both fuels.

An instance is shown below, from Grand.B. Sturgis Co., a hose that is specifically rated as OK for either fuel (shown as sold at Amazon) described as

3/8" ID Thermo Rubber High Force per unit area Propane/Natural Gas Hose with iii/8" 45 Degree Female person Flare Swivels on each end.

Versatile hose can be used for any Propane or Natural Gas Apparatus connection. The Female Flare Swivels make connecting to the supply or apparatus easy.

Thermo Rubber Hose stays very flexible in common cold atmospheric condition.
350 PSI Max Pressure Rating
Certified to UL21, UL569, CAN eight.3

shown above

Can I employ a 3/8 propane hose to run a natural gas charcoal-broil

@STEVEN ALTMAN,

Thank you, that's an interesting question; for which I cannot requite an authoritative reply, as might a suitable civil or plumbing engineer.

I doubtable that the distances are so short that what you propose is fine, but technically it's a flow question that could utilize engineering calulations.

Or y'all'll try the 1" and monitor the result; for short distances like that re-plumbing sounds small.

my customer is calculation an additional ng hot waster pressure level washer to his facility. presently, he has 2 units rated at 415,000 btu'southward. The additional unit will be the same. The 2 units are individually continued to a 2" main with close offs and regulators. The new unit will be located next to a existing unit supplied from a 1" blackness pipe approximately 10" from the 2" supply line.

if possible, we would like to plumb into the existing 1" line for the additional unit which volition exist located about 10' abroad. Do yous run across this as a problem? What size black pipe line would be required for each individually for this 415,000 btu requirement ? From the in a higher place data, it seems that a 3/four" line at 25' is rated at 600,000 btu'due south then a i" would seem to be adequate..do you agree ? cheers.

Travis:

Take a look at the input pressure level that is specified on the LPG regulator that is provided with the powder-glaze oven yous are installing. If your supply force per unit area is greater than that y'all'll want a step-down regulator just alee of the oven.

That's a common approach when having to deliver high gas supply rates over longer piping runs: distribute at higher pressure and drop down at the appliance;

Thanks for your tongue-in-cheek comment too.

80 ft is pretty long; if you lot don't run the larger line to closer to your burners you lot may detect inadequate gas flow.

Thank y'all for the quick response..I have a couple of other questions. I'yard planning on running 1 1/2" iron from a regulator like the examples to within a foot or two of furnace.. Adapting down to a 1 i/iv flex line for final connection. Practice I need another regulator of some sort at the end of the 1 one/2 atomic number 26 pipe. 2nd question is regarding the connection of tanks to beginning regulator. Should I use both tanks simultaneously to feed supply line and if so would I just utilize the appropriate size pipe from each tank into a tee and then into regulator..
Concluding but non least a hats off and big cheers to all who are involved in running this website...and I'm impressed with mod's ability to proceed pen in cheek when dealing with jackasses similar James from above...Thank You!!
Apologize if this a indistinguishable comment I don't know if my first one got sent or I somehow just managed to erase information technology...

Continuing:
More than examples of high BTUh gas regulators include this Sensus 243-12 model.

Too see these examples of gas regulator specs and IO manuals that include helpul sizing tables; more sizing tables are in the article above.

https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Sensus-243-Gas-Regulator-IO-Manual.pdf SENSUS 243 GAS REGULATOR IO MANUAL

https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Sensus-243-Gas-Regulator-Specifications.pdf SENSUS 243 GAS REGULATOR SPECIFICATIONS

Travis:

In the article above you'll observe the basic gas pipe diameter and length limits at
"LP Gas Pipe Sizing Codes, Tables & Examples"

and just below that links to PDF files giving detailed gas pipe sizing tables that relate BTUs and piping lengths that will piece of work.

I suspect y'all will need AT LEAST 1 1/4" pipe over that 80 ft. run.

And even though that 1/iv" ID line between LP tank and regulator is quite short, your BTUh consumption 1.2 meg is then great that most-likely the whole regulator and pipage diameter need to exist increased. Take a wait at the regulator make and model, and so give its manufacturer a call.

It's likely that you will need a larger chapters master regulator at the LP tank; an example is shown below; often we see that for a high BTUh application like yours the gas is run from tank to appliance at higher pressure and then is stepped down by a secondary regulator just alee of the appliance.

The regulator I prove below, the Maxitrol two one/2" Gas Appliance Regulator 210G-2 ane/ii, can deliver up to 26,000,000 BTU and is probably a higher chapters than you need, merely other models (at lower cost) are of class available.

I'thousand installing a large powder coat oven in my shop. 20'x10'x10" information technology is a propane heated unit...The unit has a max. burn charge per unit of i.2mil BTU and 1 i/4 inlet for propane.. The tanks used for propane supply are two #420 tanks located approximately 80ft away and 12ft below the burner. Do I need to run 1 1/4 pipe all the mode back to the propane tanks and will the 1/4" copper line off tank to regulator let enough fuel to run heater...Cheers

Linda

That regulator you evidence is intended for use on an RV or camper and is not intended to serve a building with longer gas line runs; I suspect that information technology is very under-sized and may non be approved for the utilise yous have made of it.

[Re-posted with illustration replacing link - mod]

Ok, I installed 50ft of 3/4" blackness pipe when I remodeled this barn. My programme, to utilize LP for furnace, dryer, range that was 5 years ago. Plans changed. The lines were tested and tight at that fourth dimension. All capped. I decided to install a gas range and so I pressure tested the lines, made corrections to couplings that were soap tested and showed leaks.

Retested. Everything is good. The line is clear. Bought a new dual stage regulator and ii tanks. [from Amazon -shown below] Installed a 3/eight" black hose to ;my black pipe.

This regulator indicates that the tank is empty but I'm wondering if my black pipage line is likewise long and the pressure level is the line is also low to go the gas to my range which would cause the valve in the regulator or the valve in the tank to close.

Yous demand to be a petty more articulate on exactly where you are detecting no fuel.

I'chiliad not aware of whatsoever gas regulators at appliances that tell us anything near the quantity of fuel bachelor in the lp tank.

Even if your pipage is nether sized for the length y'all would nevertheless see some gas menstruum, information technology would just be at too depression a charge per unit or pressure.

Then let'due south get-go by being sure that there'southward no valve closed somewhere in the arrangement.

Lookout man out, if yous're not familiar with proper and rubber gas piping this is non piece of work you should try yourself as a mistake could blow the place up.

I am installing 2 forty# lp tanks to supply my range in my domicile. I accept a long run (50ft) of 3/4" black pipe to my kitchen. When I finished installing the tanks, regulator, and connections the regulator shows my tanks are empty (merely filled) and no gas is getting to my range. Everything has been pressurized and lather tested so in that location's no leaks. I'k wondering if I need a college pressure level regulator, bigger tanks, or a shorter run. Any ideas?

Forrest

Cheers very much for your generous comments. I've worked hard on this material for a long time and then I'm particularly grateful when readers find it useful.

Your questions, comments, criticism, or content suggestions are too always welcome and helpful.

cheers so much for your very detailed article. Some people take to exist jerks even when they are getting free help . I learned a lot! Cheers once more
Forrest

we are going to run a line for propane gas about 60-65 ft, to the house. we have a 250 gal. tank. are all the different materials (coated flexible copper, alum, stainless steel) equal as far every bit safety and durability?

TF

Please find your question and my detailed respond now well-nigh the top of the article above on this page. You may demand to articulate or refresh your browser enshroud to see the updated page. We welcome your further photos, comments, questions.

TF

Indeed in that location are plastic-coated LP gas piping materials that are rated for outdoor and for either above-ground or for buried (underground) use. Those are described on the page in a higher place and at

GAS PIPING, FLEXIBLE CSST

For long gas runs you often demand to add together a regulator.

I have a 250 gallon propane tank and have 22kw generator hooked upwards to it. I am in the procedure of having a concrete deck poured and was wondering if I should become hush-hush with the propane pipe to the firm fireplace(vented logs) which has never been hooked upwards, I would similar to have an outlet on deck for a propane BBQ pit.

The tank is about 110' abroad from the fireplace connection and the location where I want to add for the bbq is most 50 ft. Wondering what is all-time material to run and do I use tee or header surreptitious/in a higher place before information technology goes into decking. As well every bit do I need additional regulator?

Garnett In the commodity above y'all'll see some propane pipe size guidelines and examples.

iii/8" OD Copper tubing 10 feet long tin support 49 KBTUH (Thousand BTUs/Hr) of gas period or supply at eleven inches Westward.C. with a 0.5" W.C. force per unit area drop. We're using this pressure range as information technology'south almost common for household appliances but yous volition need to bank check the specifications for your own appliances.

So you can see that to go 25 ft you need a larger size.

I am hooking upwards a 30,000 btu propane gas free standing stove heater and need to run copper pipe for aboutn25 feet just wanting to know if I should run 3/8 pipe or 1/ii pipe

I purchased a small 60 gal auxiliary lp tank in case emergency and water heater during summer.i have some questions nigh hooking it up.
This was used on an rv that ran on LP. Therefore, I had to purchase a vapor valve since rv used liquid LP. Doesn't have a regulator.

one--does the brass fitting that attaches to the tank for vapor need to take pipe dope/record?

2--tin can lp from this tank be ran into the existing regulator? Modest tank will only be used in the situations above. The output volition get into the larger tank.

3--can CSST be used to hook both tanks together with or w/o protection from weather condition? Thanks for whatsoever answers or comments.

Mike

I'k certainly not absolutely certain but your best chance for success is to utilise a large bore gas line 5/viii in for example.

The number ane complaint I hear from people trying to run a generator is inadequate menstruation - is usuly because of using too small a bore piping on a long run. Keep me posted.

Trying to decide if I can run an emergency portable generator off the house LP supply line (with majority tank) and non touch the furnace.

I am doing this for a friend who has a medically dependent (on electricity) child. The supply line from the majority tank to the house is 3/8" OD copper after the regulator.

At the business firm is a second regulator with a 5/8" OD copper line on the output that then runs direct to the furnace - probably 4' of 5/viii" OD piping. No other LP appliances/uses. I am hoping to tap a line off the baste leg of the furnace piping and run over to the generator using soft copper tubing.

The furnace baste leg is 1/2" B.I. NPT pipe. The generator is a 12,000 watt (peak), driven past a 18 HP engine.

The generator location requires an approximately 40' supply line (from furnace to generator).

The generator comes with a primary regulator (intended for connecting to a 20# or xl# cylinder) and a secondary regulator mounted on the generator.

I do not currently know the furnace BTU but the house is an older two story farm house. Also, I live in Iowa where winters can exist quite cold at times. My concerns? I want to ensure I have the proper line size feeding the generator AND I practice not want to "starve" the furnace when the generator is running. Any aid would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Nope, Terry, In my view as long as the 3/4" NG regulator has the same force per unit area and flow ratings, the just difference is the pipe fitting size - that ought not injure a thing equally you'll simply have to use the proper pipe fittings to step down from 3/4" to one/2".

I purchased a iii/iv" NG regulator by accident to replace ane/2" regulator for NG Grill. Both have aforementioned output (7 inch WC). Should I expect failure here?

Not necessarily, Edward; the pressure and diameter alone won't tell the story; the piping length and other restrictions may also mean you need a larger bore. You'll see details in the commodity on this folio.

trying to connect 7500 duel fuel generator with vii,500 running wattage to home propane line will i/two" sch. twoscore black pipe be sufficient the generator people say requires i.2 cfm at 7-11 inches of water?

@Barbara C.,
Thank you lot for your response, Dan. I will cheque with the propane supplier too. This site is a slap-up source and I appreciate the work involved to maintain it.

Best,

Barbara

Barbara

A google Scholar search for "rodent impairment gas pipage" and similar phrases turned upward manufactures on rodent-proof construction but no specific commodity (at least non in the first few pages I scanned) reporting an incident of rodents chewing through metal gas pipage.

I'm waaay as well scared to bet your life on arm-waving but I suspect that when squirrels or other rodents chew through gas lines it's plastic or PVC piping that they attack, not copper or atomic number 26 piping.

If you actually see bite marks or scratches on whatsoever of the piping that'd up the concern and I promise that in addition to calling your plumber y'all'll postal service a photograph of that piping here.

Propane tanks that supply the heating boiler in my habitation have slim metallic pipes traveling from the tank, across the back of my house and into a larger piping that enters the boiler room. I have plant chewed nuts in the area at the top of each tank that shelters the gauges that bespeak the number of gallons in the tanks.

I am concerned as to whether the chipmunks could consume through the gas lines. There'due south a large population of chipmunks and squirrels near my abode due to a grove of adjacent nut trees. Chipmunks have chewed through wires in my engine several times so this is not an bookish or theoretical question. Thanks.

I was very articulate regarding what I was going to use. I was standing right next to the pipe and pointing to them. Either he is overly cautious or had no idea what he was doing. He did ostend that he was a plumber. Any thoughts on the plan. I likewise wanted to notation that all connections would have PTFE (gas rated) tape. I do know that the flared heads do not crave tape. Thanks for your help! JIm

Jim

Your Home Depot plumbing rep may have thought you were talking about using black PLASTIC pipe such every bit ABS.

Blackness iron pipe is the traditional and correct plumbing material for LPG and Natural gas. Here is what the Home Depot link says

Strong and durable blackness steel pipes (a.1000.a. Black Iron, Black Malleable) are used to ship natural and propane gas from the street or a tank to the habitation. Skillful for burn down sprinkler systems because of rut resistance. Hub-and-spigot cast fe pipes should be installed by professionals. Comes in a variety of lengths from 2 inches to 10 feet and diameters of ¼ inch to 2 inches.

I'thou looking to build (an unusual) charcoal grill with a propane starter. I've washed some enquiry and scoured the web for information. At this point, I know enough to exist dangerous and past no means an skillful (why I'one thousand request here). I went to the Abode Depot plumbing department for some data. When I explained that I was thinking of using black pipe for the starter, the representative almost had a center assail, berated me, told me that I would stop upwards on the news for blowing myself upward. I was simply trying to go some information and he refused to help and he told his acquaintance to not talk to me because it could be a lawsuit. My question is, is it safety to use schedule forty black pipage as a propane burner? I was besides wondering if the fastened image of my plan would be viable or too unsafe to attempt. As a charcoal starter, information technology would only be used for 10-20 minutes max. Is that likewise long and melt the pipe? Any help would be profoundly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Jim

P.Southward. What'southward actually funny is that the Abode Depot website states that black pipe can be used for LP delivery.
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/types-of-pipes/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90cf2ccbfa

Tin y'all substitute ppr for ppe for lpg gas line? Thanks

Sam

I don't know the expertise of the person who advised y'all that individual appliance regulators are not needed, but my view is the safest and best arroyo is to check with the manufcturer of the specific equipment by brand and model, or if you have the installation and operation manual for your fryers start at that place.

In my experience appliances expect their own local regulator and the transmission writers assume one volition exist provided if it is not already an integral part of the appliance.

Hither is an excerpt from a commercial fryer installation transmission:

To conform the pressure, remove the regulator aligning screw comprehend (see the Gas Valve illustration.) Remove the embrace cap. Use a flat tip screwdriver to adjust the screw until the correct pressure is reached. (clockwise will increase the pressure, counterclockwise will decrease the pressure.)

Source: Pitco Fryaltor IO Transmission, Installation, Performance and Maintenance Manual for Fryer Model Numbers 7,12,fourteen,14R & 18
Gas Fryers With Options and (F) Born and UFM (Spacefighter) Filter Systems - retrieed 2019/02/xix original source: https://www.heritageparts.com/medias

Note that the instructions for your fryer brand and model may differ.

Hello mod, I'm sorry it is blackness iron pipe non galvanized sorry.

My apartment top my steam table and my funnel cake fryer all have a regulator that came from the factory merely my 270-pound fryers practise not i of the person told me that considering it was a hundred l thousand BTUs per fryer and I had a 525000 PT y'all regulator did I would not demand a regulator on that organization is this true and should I go with 3/4 inch hoses from my blackness Atomic number 26 to my equipment

Sam y'all might want to check with your local build department / plumbing inspector since galvanized pipe is often prohibited in favor of blackness iron pipe for gas piping.

Commonly each apparatus has its own gas regulator.

I am installing two fryers a apartment peak and a steam tabular array. I am using three/iv inch galvanized piping and and then I'm running information technology to my equipment should I employ 3/4 inch hose since I'm using 3/4 inch pipe with reducers to the half inch on a couple of pieces of equipment I likewise accept a 525000 BTU depression force per unit area regulator exercise I need to accept a regulator on each slice of equipment if it did not come with information technology from the mill

Hi. I'm trying to replace my indoor electric washer/dryer but just discovered at that place'southward a capped propane piping sticking out of the wall horizontally. It'southward in the way. If I accept to go through the fourth dimension/coin/hassle of shortening it, I might as well stick it in the wall. I've seen outlet boxes for washer hot/cold/drain fittings and also outlet boxes for water ice makers. I'grand wondering if I could use one of those boxes for this application.

The ice maker box seems perfect, although I'd have to widen the hole to accomodate the diameter of the presumably black iron piping. Would such a box be safety? Is there a meliorate, pre-existing option? And depending on what is needed (oasis't opened the wall yet), is a black atomic number 26 plug but as safe equally a blackness iron cap?

In an ideal state of affairs, but need that cap/plug and PTFE gas line tape, correct? And of class an outlet box or something similar. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Barbara,

Brass fittings are commonly used in gas piping

All the same galvanized piping is not recommended.

I was wondering if when installing gas range I used a three/8 elbow screwing it onto the
Gal nip coming off gas range and and then a 3/8 brass nip going into regulator will it make a diffence because it's non black fittings ? Will it corrode?

Nathan

That sounds like a fine thought and ought to be ok - permit me know if your plumber has a different opinion.

Would information technology make sense to always plumb a house for Natural Gas. Natural Gas is available downwards the road only not at my house yet. I would use Propane until it becomes available. I know Natural Gas typically requires larger pipe than propane would it cause any issues for the propane?

No, every bit some older LPG piping including copper and flexible copper were copper colored or greyness-coated;

but you will see that newer flexible gas lines and pipe are typically coated with a yellowish surface that helps resist impairment.

Does fifty.p. gas have to accept a yellowish jacket

...

Continue reading at GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS - topic domicile, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the consummate ARTICLE Alphabetize.

Or see

Article Serial Contents

• GAS Appliance CONVERT LP-to-NATURAL GAS
• GAS BTUH, CUBIC FEET & Free energy
• GAS LEAK DETECTION, LP / NG
• GAS LAWS & CONSTANTS
• GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS - home
  • FLARE FITTINGS
  • FLEXIBLE GAS CONNECTOR INSTALL
  • GAS Pipage, FLEXIBLE CSST
  • GAS Pipe CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS
  • GAS Pipage SIZE & MATERIAL
• GAS PRESSURES LP vs NATURAL GAS
• GAS Force per unit area vs Edifice Summit
• GAS Force per unit area FLOW INADEQUATE
• GAS COOKTOP INSTALLATION
• GAS REGULATORS & Apparatus / HEATER CONTROLS
• GAS REGULATORS for LP TANKS
• GAS SUPPLY for Electric GENERATORS

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