How to hang pipe to meet code

[Glemon]

I have been trying to figure this out and am just not getting there. I have a natural gas leak me and a water line going to my newly installed water heater. I have got a plumbing permit to get it inspected and stamp of approval.

The lines are running parallel to the joists. The are slightly above the bottom of the joists. There is a lot of **** going on because it is right next to the AC, and there is electrical going through in the vicinity too.

Can I metal strap them (galvanized for the NG line, copper for the copper) to the joist cross supports, or should I run a 2 x 4" between the joists and hang from that?

The other question is on the natural gas line, it goes from the T union that splits to the furnace and the water heater, jogs over about a foot vertically, then down about two feet, then jogs another 15" inches to clear the water heater and on down the a yellow flex line at the bottom.

Can I just strap it up by the union or is more support needed farther out by the vertical run down to the water heater? There is nothing directly above that but ductwork. Could I just put a block of wood with a strap or holder on top of the water heater? Any thoughts and ideas appreciated.

The thicker black pipe in the first pic is the hot water main line with foam insulation around it if it matters.

 

[Jim greengo]

I'd try to support up by the joists as best you can.
Most inspectors I've dealt with over the years don't worry as much about vertical strapping.
Is there fall on that flue pipe coming off of water heater,looks kind of flat in the picture anyway.

 

[Glemon]

Yes there is a fall, not great but much better than 1/4" per foot, and kept it the same as it has been for the old water heater

 

[housewolf]

First you’ll need to find which code has been adopted in your area and see what’s required. Different spacing for different sizes & material. If you’d rather not, go every 5-6 feet, it’s unlikely to bring attention and will only slightly be over done on larger (1” & 1-1/4”) steel pipe.

Where you are actually up against the wood structure, a two-hole pipe strap is the simplest solution. If you need horizontal support below the structure, it’s overkill but I’d used a metal clevis hanger or anutogrip and all thread rod. They make “sammy fasteners” like this in straight or 90 deg patterns. Like I said, overkill but it’s not that difficult and really works well. If this has already been brought to your attention by an inspector, he’ll likely be impressed by this method and won’t look too close where you may have skimped a little. Once you have some fasteners & all thread rod it’s actually easier (for me anyway) than cutting up a bunch of boards or using “plumbers tape”

You could use something like this except straight and a split ring hanger for vertical support if you have structure nearby. I can’t imagine there being much use for vertical support in a typical residential installation though. Usually good horizontal support on both ends of the vertical is all you need up to 5-6’. We don’t normally support something vertically unless it’s ~ 7-8’. I’m really not that familiar with what residential plumbers are doing nowadays, probably just nailing a bunch of **** together to get it near the pipe and strapping it.

A two hole strap or hanger over insulated hot water usually gives it enough flexibility to expand and contract without creaking, but keep expansion in mind.

 

[GrayFlattop]

I would use unistrut and the appropriate hangers.

 

[Glemon]

Well thanks for the input, I kind of went in the same direction I had thought about initially just because of materials on hand.

My experience with inspections is they generally don't care about the part I stress about and find something I have never thought of.

 

[Glemon]

Just an update, I got the Water Heater install inspected Friday. The guy walks into the utility room and says "uh-oh". Didn't even look at how I hung the pipe (or maybe a quick glance showed him what a professional job I had done and he moved on...) but the uh oh was because I used copper flex pipe (which most everybody said was better than the metal braided stuff).

Apparently the code we use allows the flex pipe, put our fair city made an exception to the code.

I know I know, should have looked it up. I tried but couldn't find anything specific, there is a lot of code to wade through if you aren't familiar with them. All the local big box stores sell "Water Heater install kits" with flex pipe. Though I know just because somebody sells it doesn't mean it meets code.

Anyway as usual when I get an inspection all the stuff I was worried about, how I hung the pipes, gas line, venting, was fine. Never thought I couldn't use flexible copper line to hook up the heater.

I have pooped in some hard lines and once again it went well, but will have to take some more time off work for another inspection in the near future.

 

[Joemctag]

You’re lucky he didn’t have a problem with the galvanized parts of the gas line. Probably not a hazard; was thought to be at one time.
Googling it now, it seems it’s allowed nowadays in alot of places.
Lotta other places, still not okay.

 

[ybnormal]

Just an update, I got the Water Heater install inspected Friday. The guy walks into the utility room and says "uh-oh". Didn't even look at how I hung the pipe (or maybe a quick glance showed him what a professional job I had done and he moved on...) but the uh oh was because I used copper flex pipe (which most everybody said was better than the metal braided stuff).

Apparently the code we use allows the flex pipe, put our fair city made an exception to the code.

I know I know, should have looked it up. I tried but couldn't find anything specific, there is a lot of code to wade through if you aren't familiar with them. All the local big box stores sell "Water Heater install kits" with flex pipe. Though I know just because somebody sells it doesn't mean it meets code.

Anyway as usual when I get an inspection all the stuff I was worried about, how I hung the pipes, gas line, venting, was fine. Never thought I couldn't use flexible copper line to hook up the heater.

I have pooped in some hard lines and once again it went well, but will have to take some more time off work for another inspection in the near future.

I'm assuming this is a typo? almost like the title of this thread . instead of how to hang pipe I started sub-consciously substituting how to lay pipe.
I need a vacation from this site, @PelicanPines has obviously been too much of a bad influence. he should change his avatar name to Grandpa Gustafson

 

[PCustoms]

You’re lucky he didn’t have a problem with the galvanized parts of the gas line. Probably not a hazard; was thought to be at one time.
Googling it now, it seems it’s allowed nowadays in alot of places.
Lotta other places, still not okay.

I said this in a different thread recently and got ROASTED.

Pretty sure MA still forbids galvanized on all gas lines...

 

[housewolf]

I said this in a different thread recently and got ROASTED.

Pretty sure MA still forbids galvanized on all gas lines...

I’ve worked in areas gal pipe was required for nat gas in some situations, some that forbid it anywhere, and some that it didn’t matter

 

[Scotto]

I said this in a different thread recently and got ROASTED.

Pretty sure MA still forbids galvanized on all gas lines...

What do you do for exterior natural gas lines from the meter to the inside the house? It was code for me to use galvanized on that part.

 

[acer66]

What do you do for exterior natural gas lines from the meter to the inside the house? It was code for me to use galvanized on that part.

Over here you just paint the pipes.