PE gas line

[jw1968]

Just getting going on 24x40 detached garage(footers and block foundation done). Installing 1/2" OB PEX for RIF heat, 2" foam. I am running 1" PEX for water(with PVC sleeve through the slab) and 3/4" yellow PE gas line (with riser pipe through the slab) that will both run through a 3"pipe in the footer, then about 30 feet under the #11 fill gravel. I am considering running the 3/4" PEX and 1" PE inside 1 1/4" and 1 1/2" PVC ($25)just to keep the gravel from potentially damaging them, or just digging a small trench (3"x3") to lay them in and covering with dirt before the gravel dump. What do you guys think??

 

[therealjakeg]

I am in the industry.. and this is okay to do but you still have to properly shade this with 3/8" minus depending on your local codes. I would ask around as you will want to know prior to lobbing the soil on her. Also a good idea to run a 14 Gauge wire along side so you can find it someday when you decide to plant a tree or expand the shop. Best of luck!

 

[jw1968]

Plumbing inspector said just cover with gravel (and run a tracer wire on the tubing, gauge i don't know) but that scares the hell out of me with the gas. What do you mean shade with 3/8" minus--dirt coverage? Does the tracer wire have to run the full length of the tubing and riser or just the portion outside the foundation underground?

 

[Improved700]

When the gas company laid 200 feet of yellow PE gas pipe from the road to the ditch, they just used a splitter type trenching device and put the pipe in, with no pvc conduit. Then when I ran 120 feet of 1" PE from house to the shop, I used a ditch witch for my trench and laid the PE in, with no conduit. Would the conduit trap gas is there ever was a leak? The PE pipe is pretty tough stuff. Good luck.

 

[chickenhauler]

Would the conduit trap gas is there ever was a leak? The PE pipe is pretty tough stuff. Good luck.

That's their thought - and typically the conduit is exposed to air at one end or the other. That said, I still use conduit, but more as a protective sleeve, and terminate it outside of the structure.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

Having run many miles (and miles and miles) of PE over the last 20 years, I've seen it all.

I have seen a rock work it's way through PE pipe. It took a few years, but it got it done and caused a leak. Very rare though. I use clean dirt, sand, or lime around and a few inches above the pipe and then back fill above. In yards/fields, you can normally use the native soil less the big chunks of stone. In roads, most places require flowable fill.

The idea about the conduit taking a gas leak where you don't want it is very well founded. If you do use a conduit, seal it on the inside and it wouldn't hurt to install a vent pipe where a leak wouldn't cause a problem...outside. Where we use casings, we have to have a vent pipe. I'm sure you've seen those funny pipes at road crossings that look like giant yellow lolly-pops. Those are the casing vents which are just for the reason the earlier poster noted. Take a potential gas leak out away from traffic.

Also +++ on the tracer wire. I'd run it the full length.

Good Luck!

Phil