Black Pipe for Natural Gas

[dshaf]

Just had a outdoor pool installed with a 400,000 btu gas heater. The contractor used galvanized pipe and fittings. Is this permitted by US code? If not, can somebody please site specific code section. I thought if steel pipe was used, it had to be black (as opposed to galvanized) pipe.

[pushkins]

I cannot give you the exact code, but I do know where I am (and probably you too) you cannot use gal. pipe for gas.
It must be black pipe!!!!!

[pushkins]

Having said that i just found this web site that says the following:

Gas Piping
General
Gas test*10psi. (6in. of mercury) for 15 minutes [1204.3.2] [2603.3.1]
Material- wrought iron, steel (galvanized or black), yellow brass [1210.1] [t2605.1]
Interior of pipe must be deburred [1210.2] [2605.2]
Polyethylene pipe only for exterior buried [1210.1] [n/a]

[pushkins]

Here is the link


http://www.masterplumber.com/Laws/UPCExcerpts.html

[dshaf]

Okay. So based on the information you've submitted. Code does permit the use of galvanized pipe for Natural Gas applications? Well, that blows...I was always told the sulfur stuff that makes the gas smell will eventually eat through the galvanized stuff.

[pushkins]

Yep, that's what I have always believed as well.
I called a HVAC mate and he said the same thing, even had to email him the link to prove I wasn't tell'n a fib..lol

Everyday is a learn'n day !!

[joed]

I always thought you didn't use galv. because little chunks of galv. could break loose and clog the valve.

[suemarkp]

I've looked and can't find the reference, but I thought that certain mercaptains caused the galvanized coating to flake off. Whether your gas company uses one of those bad mercaptains would be something you'd have to ask them. Perhaps this issue has gone away and everyone is now using the new chemicals that don't cause galvanized to flake.

I'd call your local utility to see what they say.

[dshaf]

The PG&E guy is the one that spotted the use of galvanized pipe (he was at my house to upsize the gas meter because of the new pool heater). He said the same thing. You shouldn't use galvanized because it will start to flake off and cause bad things to happen. I am in touch with the city building department to see if they might be able to look at the install during the final inspection.

[pushkins]

I say that is the best thing, let the city inspector determine the rights and wrongs of the pipe.
I for one am staying with black pipe.
Let us know what they say?

[dshaf]

Just spoke with a City inspector who basically quoted the same code section above. He said PG&E has expressed some "concern" about the use of galvanized pipe for natural gas purposes, but there is no "code issue" with the use of galvanized pipe. He also said that I don't have to worry about any electrolysis between the existing black pipe and the newly-installed galvanized pipe. I am a little more paranoid than most, so I will most likely replace all of the new galvanized stuff as soon as the contractor is out of the picture (I would find increased piece of mind knowing that black pipe is used).

[pushkins]

Make sure your carefull in regards to your warranty if your contractor installed the gal. and you change it out for black pipe it could void any warranty.

[K2eoj]

one of our plumbing/mech inspector said the same thing today. Galv is ok for gas. He also told me that natural gas has a moisture content and the gas we get here is very dry and they don't enforce the drip loop code because it is so dry. He also told me that the tin line soft copper is allowed and I have never seen that used either. Something new to learn every day. K2