Underground propane line

[shamrock12]

As of now, we have a large propane tank with a copper line running underground to the house. The detached shop will be using propane as the fuel source for heating as well. I've already installed an 2" sch. 80 conduit sleeve inside the pole barn with a sweep elbow below it (concrete floor will be poured soon). This sleeve also extends several feet outside (underground) as well. This should allow us to pull a line, I'm guessing yellow poly, easier than to drill some holes later. Since it would be only about 50 feet run from the shop to the house where the gas regulator is mounted, I am thinking about continuing to run the sleeve all the way toward the house to make the installation easier for everyone. 15 feet or so has already been dug up at depth of two feet.

So my question here is ... what is the code for minimum burial depth of an underground propane line? Direct burial depth? In-conduit burial depth? Does it matter if the gas line is protected inside a conduit?

Also, is this an acceptable practice to run a conduit sleeve for the entire run? Thanks!

 

[Bob C]

I think those questions are best answered by your local codes office. The one thing I do know is the longer the run, the larger the line must be based on the usage you plan to have.

 

[djkeev]

Conduit is always a preferred method no matter what you are burying. It offers better protection from buried hazards and accidental "discovery" at a future date.

You should cover your conduit / pipe / wire with fill dirt / sand and at about a foot above the pipe lay. Warning Buried Cable tape.
For example.......
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/251840226/PE_Warning_tape.html

Depth? Ask locally for proper info.

Dave

 

[buddyboy]

when I was building my home I was thinking of doing almost the same thing.

glad i didn't

they wanted copper line all the way to the house, then into a regulator then black iron pipe to the appliances.

if the copper tube develops a leak inside the conduit it's a pipe bomb.

so figure out where you want your regulator on the outside of your building (has to be away from windows and ignition sources) then run your lines on/in your walls/ceiling to that point.

if I remember correctly the building dept didn't inspect. it was the propane company that dictated how and what to do

good luck

 

[sberry]

Agreed, no conduit, a foot deep. If there is several appliances or large furnace 1/2 doesn't hurt on primary although I believe 3/8 is rated 200K btu for 66 ft.

 

[djkeev]

Never thought about gas build up in the pipe! Live and learn, I change my vote to direct bury but as with any pipe or wire, embed it in sand if you've any rock in your native soils.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Yeah I would not do conduit either that just doesn't make sense. The poly pipes themselves are meant to be pretty rugged. Also the color gives quick identification if anyone comes across it.

We had a hurricane knock down our fence years ago. The gas main was run up right along the fence line. Anyhow it damaged the line and a crew came out to repair it. Because it was a poly flexible material they literally clamped / squeezed the pipe to so no gas could flow, cut out and repaired the damaged section, unclamped, done! Couldn't do that with metal pipe!

 

[Kevin C]

Ryan,
NFPA 58 section 6.8.3 covers underground piping. We sleeve copper tubing underground when we cant get 12" of cover or when vehicle traffic is involved bury it 18" or sleeve it. Copper has been installed unprotected for years however sec 6.8.3.14 states underground metallic piping shall be protected against corrosion as warranted by soil conditions. Section 6.14 covers corrosion protection for all metallic equipment that is mounded or buried. All underground LP tanks should have cathodic protection and / or sacrificial anodes to protect them. Some LP companies regularly test underground tanks to ensure that the tanks are protected.Coated copper or plastic tubing for gas systems is becoming the norm in the Northeast. Hope that helps

Jack

http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/heating-ventilation-air-conditioning-hvac-home-inspection-commercial-inspection/14463-propane-supply-line-tank-home.html

What I found on google...

 

[brewchief]

Poly pipe indoors is going to be a code issue, there are also some very specific rules regarding the sleeveing of the gas line inside conduit as in how the ends are sealed or not sealed.

 

[darkk]

if the copper tube develops a leak inside the conduit it's a pipe bomb.
good luck

Why would the conduit be any more of a time bomb than the large diameter copper line? Besides, the conduit is open at both ends, it is not sealed soild where it sticks out of the ground. We're useing Black poly well pipe as a sleeve for the copper to protect it from rock/gravel puncture of the copper.

 

[Kevin54]

Why would the conduit be any more of a time bomb than the large diameter copper line? Besides, the conduit is open at both ends, it is not sealed soild where it sticks out of the ground. We're useing Black poly well pipe as a sleeve for the copper to protect it from rock/gravel puncture of the copper.

If you have a leak in line itself it will disperse into the soil. If you are running a line in conduit and it is open at both ends, if there would just happen to be an open flame around, there is a very good potential for a larger fire. If that open end of conduit exited into a garage, the propane leak could fill the garage. One spark and Boom!!!

 

[mark52621]

If you use poly pipe bury a wire with it. That way it is easier to find.

 

[Real McCoy]

I would think state and cities would have codes on what you have to do with gas lines. I know here in SC the laws are pretty weak. My 125 gallon propane tank is nested next to my screened in porch. In some states the tank has to be a distance from any structure. They direct bury copper propane lines about a ft deep. I ran plastic conduit from my house to my garage so I could easily add wires for the phone, cable tv and stuff. Over time water has entered it and it stays in there. Hasn't hurt anything yet but not something that I expected to happen.

 

[buddyboy]

Why would the conduit be any more of a time bomb than the large diameter copper line?

as others have said, if the copper tube develops a leak the gas is dispersed into the ground and is not captured inside the "protective" sleeve.

Besides, the conduit is open at both ends, it is not sealed soild where it sticks out of the ground.

propane is heavier than air and will sink down the pipe until the pipe is full of gas and then will 'pour' out the lowest opening, filling that space until your propane tank is empty (hopefully not near an ignition source)

We're useing Black poly well pipe as a sleeve for the copper to protect it from rock/gravel puncture of the copper.

that should do a great job protecting the copper pipe, unfortunately it will also do a great job collecting any propane leaks and saving that gas for a future fireworks show.

I'd rather have copper tube 18" down, If it ever leaks I'll discover it at some point and be able to find it. or if I hit it with a shovel or machine, I'll know it and can fix it easy...

go ahead and do what you want, I had the same idea.

more than likely the propane company will let you know how to do it.