Gas Piping

[Nostraquedeo]

I have stubbed a 1/2" gas pipe up into my detached garage ceiling for a future gas heater. The pipe runs through a hut-off and then through the concrete stem wall below ground. I need to run 50' to my attached garage to connect to the gas line in there. I am looking for some sort of underground PVC gas line I can use for this. Ideas? Links?

 

[HoosierBuddy]

You can't use PVC. You can us PE gas pipe for the below ground sections. You can find that pipe (probably) from your local gas or propane provider along with anodeless service risers and the proper fittings to connect it. The stab couplings work pretty well and are (almost) fool proof.

Any plastic line that can legally have gas on it will be labled as such on the pipe. You most certainly SHOULD NOT use PE water pipe, PVC, CPVC or anything of that sort. If it uses glue or hose clamps...it isn't for gas.

Again, your local gas provider should be able to help you with this. Good Luck.

Phil

 

[Cougar]

You can't use PVC. You can us PE gas pipe for the below ground sections. You can find that pipe (probably) from your local gas or propane provider along with anodeless service risers and the proper fittings to connect it. The stab couplings work pretty well and are (almost) fool proof.

Any plastic line that can legally have gas on it will be labled as such on the pipe. You most certainly SHOULD NOT use PE water pipe, PVC, CPVC or anything of that sort. If it uses glue or hose clamps...it isn't for gas.

Again, your local gas provider should be able to help you with this. Good Luck.

Phil

x2 on that.

When I did mine I called the power company.
I think they called it a fuel run.
Told them how long I needed, they made one up to length with all the fittings. Some type of yellow plastic. I don't remember the exact price but it wasn't too bad.

 

[59 wagon man]

not sure if you 1/2" will be enough to supply your heater .i would suggest you check into your local code before you go to far

 

[Frank The Plumber]

Very small line, you are going to run into some limiting factors there based upon how much pressure your suppliers system runs. You most likely will be stretched to supply a device that will consume more than 80,000 BTU input with a 1/2" line. It would be much wiser to use 3/4" tube for this, even under a minimal pressure situation you should be able to deliver 100,000 btu on it. For the exact calculations and sizing you could call your gas provider. My numbers may be off a tad but I have a calc slide ruler for my area and these are my general perameters.

 

[brewchief]

Very small line, you are going to run into some limiting factors there based upon how much pressure your suppliers system runs. You most likely will be stretched to supply a device that will consume more than 80,000 BTU input with a 1/2" line. It would be much wiser to use 3/4" tube for this, even under a minimal pressure situation you should be able to deliver 100,000 btu on it. For the exact calculations and sizing you could call your gas provider. My numbers may be off a tad but I have a calc slide ruler for my area and these are my general perameters.

I would agree that 1/2" is going to be to small at that length, in most cases like this I would run 1", the cost difference is pretty small, the 1/2" line that is already stubbed up in the detached garage will most likely be fine unless the heater planned is pretty big.

If you run the pe pipe don't forget to run a tracer wire with it so it can be found with a pipe locator later.

What size is the gas line you are tapping off? How big is the heater and whats the total length? Nat gas or propane?

 

[jimp]

If you can't get it locally from a plumbing supply, try the link.
I have use them twice, no problems. The smallest they have is 1" @ $55 for 150 feet. Don't forget the fittings and a tracer wire.

https://keithspecialty.com/gas.line.htm

 

[Cougar]

The run I got from the power company came with the tracer wire.

 

[Nostraquedeo]

Thanks for the input. The existing garage has a 3/4" black gas piping, then 100' to the new garage which has a 1/2" stub with shut-off. The garage is 24x24 so will have a 30,000 - 40,00 BTU heater. Thanks.

 

[jdaallen]

Thanks for the input. The existing garage has a 3/4" black gas piping, then 100' to the new garage which has a 1/2" stub with shut-off. The garage is 24x24 so will have a 30,000 - 40,00 BTU heater. Thanks.

With a 3/4 supply at 100' and only 1/2 stub, your not going to be able to run a bunson burner let alone any size heater. Better get your gas supplier involved and let them size what you need.

 

[littletoes]

I don't have my code book with me but.....

YOU CAN'T RUN PE-GAS PIPE UNDER YOUR BUILDING!

As a matter of fact, you can't run ANY gas pipe under your building, including steel, unless it is "ENCASED" in a SCH 40 pipe sleeve that is vented to the outdoors, and inspected/approved by the "Authorities having Jurisdiction".

And if you run is as long as you say, depending upon what style of meter you have, your meter may not be big enough.

WE NEED MORE INFORMATION!

What is your farthest run of pipe? What is the total BTU load that you are putting on your meter. Most older "house" meters are only rated at 275m BTU's, newer ones are good for 300m btu's, and can be stretched to 315m.

Now is the time to find this info out, not when its too late.
You CAN run CSS (corrigated stainless steel), cheaper, and in the rafters, so that you don't have to worry about putting piping under your building.

Now, this all depends upon local codes, but I have never heard of them allowing gas piping under a building without special restrictions.

Good luck!

 

[ForceFed70]

As mentioned, you will probably want to use PolyEthalyne Gas line similar to what is shown here:
http://www.wngp.com/component/option,com_virtuemart/page,shop.browse/category_id,39/Itemid,1/

I would seriously consider stepping up to a 3/4" line and not using the 1/2" stub at the detached garage. Or at least adding a T to the line before necking it down to 1/2". The cost difference is minimal and I think you'll be kicking yourself if you don't do it.

In the garage I am currently building, I ran a 1" PE line and stepped up the pressure to 2lbs but I want to put a small apartment above the garage and even then the 1" line at 2lbs is overkill.

 

[AZDevils]

Sorry to hijack, I am planning to run a line, my initial calculation comes out to a 1" line, is there any harm and running a 1 1/2" incase any future additions are made?

 

[jdaallen]

Sorry to hijack, I am planning to run a line, my initial calculation comes out to a 1" line, is there any harm and running a 1 1/2" incase any future additions are made?

No harm what so ever.

 

[fatboy99]

You can't use PVC. You can us PE gas pipe for the below ground sections. You can find that pipe (probably) from your local gas or propane provider along with anodeless service risers and the proper fittings to connect it. The stab couplings work pretty well and are (almost) fool proof.

Any plastic line that can legally have gas on it will be labled as such on the pipe. You most certainly SHOULD NOT use PE water pipe, PVC, CPVC or anything of that sort. If it uses glue or hose clamps...it isn't for gas.

Again, your local gas provider should be able to help you with this. Good Luck.

Phil

And garden hose wont work either One of our crews at work went to a gas leak and found the customer drilled a hole in the main and duct taped a garden hose to it and ran it to his shop for a heater