Copper or black pipe for gas outside?

[Tim_P]

Black pipe all the way.

 

[Syberia]

Galvanized is what's used around here.

 

[BD1]

Galvanized is what's used around here.

Galvanized used to be a no no in the old days. The galvanizing process was poor and there was a possibility that the galvanized flakes could separate from the pipe on the inside . This would have the potential to prevent closing of the gas valve if a flake made it there . That would be bad and maybe a BOOM type thing would happen.
The same is for using teflon tape, that is still against code UNLESS the tape IS for natural gas .

 

[Tim The Tool Man]

No requirement to have it painted/color coded...so its not a fail. Even out in industry its all just plain pipe with markings. Copper plumbing in my house is all plain copper colored...must be a fail too that some is potable water, some is not.. I almost plumbed the whole thing in stainless, but didn't want to waste it on the interior portion.
So, if I were to have a sprinkler system in my garage...those are all plumbed with black pipe...Fail as that would match the LP plumbing?

"Color Codes" may be helpful for the uneducated and unknowledgeable, but having a working knowledge of your environment is key here.

According to the 2003 International Fuel Gas Code (section 401.5 Identification)

"For other than Black Steel Pipe exposed piping shall be identified by a yellow label marked "Gas" in black letters. The marking shall be spaced at intervals not exceeding 5 feet. The marking shall not be required on pipe located in the same room as the equipment served."

That said I would think your sprinkler would fail not because of its color (water does not pose a serious hazard if accidentally cut) but instead because the black pipe has no corrosion resistance and will rust solid in a matter of weeks with it being filled with tap water...

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

My understanding of the issue (and I may be wrong) is natural gas has different formulations in different parts of the country; in some areas, it may be corrosive to copper lines, but here that's not an issue.

They typically use soft copper here, at least inside residential buildings. One big advantage is you don't need joints, they just roll it out and bend it as necessary to get from the gas meter to your furnace or other appliances.

And it looks a hell of a lot better than the nasty csst/trac pipe **** everybody likes to use.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

If it is a small generator which vibrates should there be a piece of outdoor rated stainless steel flex? And then no need for a union.

Youre going to need a union at some point in the system,Unless youre one of those big guys who can spin a generator over your head while connecting the gas line.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

According to the 2003 International Fuel Gas Code (section 401.5 Identification)

"For other than Black Steel Pipe exposed piping shall be identified by a yellow label marked "Gas" in black letters. The marking shall be spaced at intervals not exceeding 5 feet. The marking shall not be required on pipe located in the same room as the equipment served."

That said I would think your sprinkler would fail not because of its color (water does not pose a serious hazard if accidentally cut) but instead because the black pipe has no corrosion resistance and will rust solid in a matter of weeks with it being filled with tap water...

I see plenty of newer houses with copper gas lines ran around the basements like snakes,never seen one marked.
For industrial applications ever stinking line in the place is marked a differant color.

 

[bonneyman]

Galvanized used to be a no no in the old days. The galvanizing process was poor and there was a possibility that the galvanized flakes could separate from the pipe on the inside . This would have the potential to prevent closing of the gas valve if a flake made it there . That would be bad and maybe a BOOM type thing would happen.
The same is for using teflon tape, that is still against code UNLESS the tape IS for natural gas .

10-4 on this. I have customers come in and want to run natural gas in galv pipe for their backyard gas grille. I tell them black iron pipe only.

 

[mygarageone]

I would not use copper for material gas, I have taken it out of homes and you wouldn't believe the amount of copper flakes do to the gas.
Michigan doesn't allow it .

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I would not use copper for material gas, I have taken it out of homes and you wouldn't believe the amount of copper flakes do to the gas.
Michigan doesn't allow it .

Id say it depends on the quality of the ng you guys have in your area.

 

[bandaidmd]

i would look into a piece of the gas flex tube to run from the shutoff to the generator. those small gensets do vibrate a bit.

 

[Junkman]

This will be above ground. City inspector said he thought copper piping used for gas outdoors has to be protected from impact, but he wasn't 100% sure. It sounds like black pipe is the way to go. I just don't like working with black pipe because it is so hard to figure out the right order to tighten up everything.

I will probably end up hiring a plumber or HVAC person to take care of the black pipe. Should I use a union at the generator? I have read not to use unions with gas because they can be almost impossible to get to not leak.

The unions that I used to be able to get had a brass insert that would make a perfect seal every time, so no leaks. When I worked in a shop that plumbed fuel oil trucks, we used to use Rector Seal #5 on all threads, and would paint the mating surfaces of the unions prior to tightening. It would lubricate the metal sealing surfaces, so the hexes could be tightened properly. We had to make sure that there were no leaks. There is nothing wrong with having unions, if they are properly installed.
One thing to check, is if you have old steel natural gas lines, is to check them periodically for pinhole leaks. At work, we had a rooftop HVAC unit, and during the fall, occasionally we would smell natural gas. Called the gas company, and they couldn't find it, but with all natural gas "smell" calls, the fire department would also respond. The fire department started checking with their meters, and found the source was a "rusted and pinholed" pipe on the roof. The fire department then told the management of the shopping center that all the exposed rusted steel piping to all the units on the roof had to be replaced. The building and pipes were about 20 - 25 years old.