No Flexible Gas Line?

[househelper]

While doing the electrical modifications for a customer switching from an electric range to gas, she commented that the appliance dealer specified she should not use flexible (CSST) piping for her new gas line to the range.

Why not? I thought this stuff was the latest-greatest thing for running gas to various point in a residence? Has something changed?

[suemarkp]

There are lightning strike issues causing pinholes and fires, especially if the pipe bonding isn't done to a gas line fitting (or worse, not done at all except at the appliance).

http://www.alliantenergy.com/docs/groups/public/documents/pub/p016143.pdf
http://permittingservices.montgomerycountymd.gov/permitting/pdf/csst.pdf
http://www.pddocs.com/csst/faq.aspx

[Fischer]

As Suemark stated csst is especially bad in high lightening strike areas. Did a bunch of research myself, and ultimately decided that it wasn't worth the risk, especially in an enclosed joist area where gas could build up to critical levels with no place to outgas or chances of smelling are less than ideal. I don't live in a high strike area, but better to be safe. The appliance dealer was quite correct, especially in the Carolinas.

[fordrules]

especially in an enclosed joist area where gas could build up to critical levels with no place to outgas or chances of smelling are less than ideal.

Can't use flex connectors in an enclosed area. Have to have a pipe nipple coming thru the floor, with a shutoff. Has to be the last connection on the pipe. On appliances we sometimes use them, and haven't had any problems.

[fordrules]

Maybe I missunderstood.

Are we talking about this:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.orgill.com/200x200/0667337.jpg&imgrefurl=http://plumbing.hardwarestore.com/52-296-gas-heater-connectors.aspx&h=200&w=200&sz=5&hl=en&start=12&um=1&tbnid=o0vDlgSXyCytZM:&tbnh=104&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dstainless%2Bsteel%2Bgas%2Bconnector%2 6um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SUNA_en___US218%26sa% 3DN

Or This:

http://www.toolbase.org/Technology-Inventory/Plumbing/corrugated-stainless-steel-tubing

[suemarkp]

I was assuming the second one -- distribution flex pipe. I think the flex pipe from the wall shutoff to the appliance is a different material and OK.

[househelper]

Definitely the second one.

Having seen a lot of the CSST installed in new construction and remodels, I was surprised when I learned of the appliance guy's statement. Goes to show it's never too late to learn something new.
:rock:

[fordrules]

Sorry about the confusion. I haven't really used the distribution piping. We mostly still use black pipe. Some contractors around here use the flex pipe cuz it's cheap n easy. I have used the appliance connectors, and they seem to perform quite well.

[plumber jim]

You may use the TracPipe (brand name of a CSST) they have a pipe that has a black coating rather than the yellow that can be used without the need to ground as long as its connected to a grounded appliance. It costs more than the yellow stuff but it is designed to prevent the pin hole issue from lightning strikes.