What Size Copper Line From Propane Tank To House

Gas Piping Specifications

• POST a QUESTION or COMMENT nearly LP gas force per unit area, propane gas force per unit area, and natural gas pressure level in piping, at regulators, at appliances

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LP or Propane Gas Pressures & Natural Gas Pressure questions & answers:

Questions, answers, FAQs about the common operating pressures of natural gas and LP or liquid petroleum gas at the gas regulators, in building gas piping and at gas appliances.

This article series gives the standard pressure level ranges and pressure settings for LP gas, propane gas, and natural gas fuels, including pressures found in the distribution service pipe, in the in-building gas piping, and at gas fired appliances such every bit gas stoves, clothes dryers, furnaces, boilers, and LP gas or natural gas fired water heaters. Since there several ways that people limited gas pressures we include more on clarification of common LP gas or natural gas organisation operating pressures in this article.

We also provide an ARTICLE INDEX for this topic, or you tin attempt the page acme or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to notice information you lot demand.

Gas Piping Materials, Sizes, Codes, Specifications for LP or Natural Gas in Residential Systems

Question: James Due west. Howe on Size of Gas Pipage Required

2016/09/26 James westward Howe Jr said:

I was taught to E'er use copper flex with LP gas and blackness pipe with NG. I'one thousand am NOT talking about pressure hither! That stated, my supply is two 100 lb tanks with an "automatic switch over valve". The lines from the tanks to the valve are i/8th inch.

I need to feed a xxx inch five burner gas stove with a convection oven, a gas clothes dryer and a tankless 10L water heater that has a ane/ii inch gas inlet. Instead of running ane/2 inch copper flex with Ts to each appliance, do i need to increment the book in the system to have enough gas to feed all iii appliances.

If I was using NG, i'd install at least a 10 foot piece of 1 1/4 blackness pipe to build up the volume and then run ane/2 inch Ts with 1/2 inch pipe to the appliances. With LP I'd use 3/8 copper flex for the dryer and stove and the ane/2 inch called for for the water heater, Merely, I need to get enough volume first so how should I keep? All of the answers on your site deal with pressure and THAT is not the issue here!

Forgot my contact info: jwhowejr@centurylink.net

[Click to enlarge any image]

Reply:

Thanks for the comment and question, James, information technology helps us realize where we need to piece of work on making our text more clear or more complete. A competent onsite inspection past an adept usually finds additional clues that would permit a more accurate, consummate, and authoritative reply than we can give by email lonely.

You will notice additional depth and particular in manufactures at our website. See the ARTICLE INDEX link at the cease of this article for a library of data almost LP and natural gas pipage, installations, equipment, pressures, regulators, etc. That said I offer these comments.

There'southward quite a listing of types of piping cloth canonical for use in gas piping systems; the distinctions I have seen are about the awarding - location such as higher up or beneath basis rather than the fuel difference betwixt LP and NG; there have been, historically, opinions most gas pipe and corrosion differences between the sources (thence the history of "clay legs" on NG piping systems.

The list of gas pipage materials - role of your question, depending on where the pipe is used, includes aluminum (in some locations and never beneath basis), brass (yellow - the old traditional gas piping plant indoors in older buildings), copper type L or Yard rated for gas systems, fe (black ductile iron) above basis and perchance below ground in some jurisdictions, PE and PVC for outdoor underground use, and of course thinwall corrugated, coated flexible copper appliance connectors.

Lookout man out: Some jurisdictions such as New York City specifically prohibit utilise of some pipe materials such every bit cast iron, copper, brass, aluminum, and metal tubing (with exceptions).

I oasis't seen pipe approval distinctions based on fuel simply I think some opinions on that stem from differences in fuel moisture and contaminants, hence the "dirt leg" nosotros encounter on older iron gas pipe systems; I think that we don't see galvanized iron because corrosives in NG supplies may crusade coating loss and clogging; at the end of the day it's the local plumbing inspector whose give-and-take is law.

Run across NFPA #58 adopted past many jurisdictions permitting either blazon of steel piping as long as information technology's certified to meet ASTM A53 steel piping standards;

Hither's an excerpt instance from a local city gas code pertaining to natural gas pipe. LPG regulations volition sometimes differ.

New NG gas piping tin can exist of Schedule forty steel pipe with threaded fittings, Blazon L rigid copper tubing with brazed fittings, Blazon L soft copper tubing with flared fittings, or flexible CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing) with manufacturer provided fittings. - City of Brownton, MN 55312 world wide web.cityofbrownton.com (outside Minneapolis/St. Paul MN).

Bottom line: to comply with pipage materials choices you need to find out what local building or plumbing inspectors volition accept as rules vary by jurisdiction.

I concord that ane/8" diameter is not probable to provide adequate flow rates to multiple appliances nor over distance. Typically the plumber connecting multiple appliances uses a larger line to bring gas into the building.

Besides run into GAS PRESSURES LP vs NATURAL GAS - the habitation page for this topic.

In that location nosotros talk over gas pressure drib in long runs or small pipe sizes. You'll see that pressure and pipage size and delivery rates are continued. P1V1 = P2V2.

Even for brusque piping runs there are recommended minimum pipe diameters. None of them in electric current standards for gas piping is 1/eight".

Gas tank switchover valves for multiple LP tank installations

For other readers, Automated or manual switchover valves: I'yard indeed not sure that we're talking well-nigh the same device, nor that information technology has to exercise with gas piping size and pressure.

Switchover valves used, due east.g. in Australia, Canada, the U.S., the U.One thousand. and other countries switch between two LP tanks then that every bit fuel runs low in i LP tank the homeowner can switch to the full tank. We also telephone call those as well "changeover valves". A changeover valve is specially useful when the empty LP tank is to be physically swapped-out for a full one.

Changeover valves are sold in both manual and automatic forms. Some changeover valves are combined with a gas regulator every bit shown in our photo above. Shown is a Winntec Model 6020 P1.0-xv.six Q6.R280 LP gaws regulator and changeover valve combined. This changeover valve is sold at plumbing and heating suppliers and at some RV suppliers such as campingworld.com.

Reader follow-upwards: you exercise know what NPT stands for, correct?

019/09/26
James Said:

Why do [-es everyone I ask] seem to accept to e'er go back to talk about pressure level. My run is only well-nigh 10 feet then pressure IS NOT an issue! I also have to guess that you are completely unfamiliar with an automatic switch over valve. I realize that they are seldom used anymore, but if you don't accept knowledge of them, you should have passed the question to someone who does.

The last i knew, I live in the proficient 'ol USofA and in this land, we have something called the National plumbing Code. Since I am not a licensed plumber, i do not take a copy and so asked a question of a website that I idea could give me a reasonable answer.

To my dismay that is Not the case. Thank you, but no cheers, i'll seek my answers elsewhere! By the way, the outlet on the automatic switch over valve is 1/two inch NPT…you do know what NPT stands for, right? jwh,jr

Moderator answer: delight be careful near quick, shallow "answers" to questions involving life-rubber

Of course pressure will be uniform throughout a system until appliances are using fuel. Then the pressure drop volition depend on the length and size of pipage. And use of a switchover or as nosotros prefer changeover valve on LP tanks does not amend the requirements for gas piping sizing based on the flow requirements.

Deplorable that our initial reply was confusing for yous. We have readers in over 50 countries so we don't assume that we know where they live. "National Plumbing Code" itself is a standard that varies by country.

But in the U.S., the National Plumbing Code is not the best resources for answering your question. Instead you lot'll want to run across NFPA 54 that you can admission for free, online. We include the necessary information to do so at the end of this commodity.

Sorry also to come across you so aggravated that your email digresses to insults. We endeavor our best to serve millions of readers a calendar month, finding information if we don't already take it, researching for authoritative, unbiased sources and eschewing arm-waving opinion.

Sometimes, depending on how your question has been worded, its length and content, we may not correctly empathize the central question.

We besides understand the natural wish of a reader who says "never heed all that malarkey, merely TELL ME THE Respond". Merely sometimes the questioner appears to us to exist facing life condom hazards as well as edifice code and standard, permits, or licensing problems that we think requires a bit more than information to come up with a reasonable and rubber solution to a problem.

InspectAPedia is an independent publisher of edifice, environmental, and forensic inspection, diagnosis, and repair information provided free to the public - we take no business organisation nor financial connection with whatever manufacturer or service provider discussed at our website.

We are dedicated to making our information as accurate, consummate, useful, and unbiased every bit possible: we very much welcome critique, questions, or content suggestions for our web manufactures. Working together and exchanging data makes united states of america better informed than any individual tin can be working alone.

Spotter out: It's more than important to empathize that too high or too depression gas pressures are unsafe, risking not merely apparatus malfunction but fire or explosion or fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.

For this reason, nobody, fifty-fifty the most generous plumber, if she or he has an ounce of sense, is going pretend that she tin tell someone exactly what kind and size of gas piping is required for an installation about which she knows adjacent to nothing.

The danger of giving a person of unknown training and skill "how to" communication is that there is almost always one or more of import considerations that an on-site good would observe but that are non offered by the person asking the question. When discussing fuel gas piping there'southward the always present hazard that the reader later accident himself upwardly or catches his building afire. That caveat fabricated we go along to effort to help you out:

Reader follow-up: so answer my question: how big should my gas pipes exist? Practice I need a manifold with multiple outlets?

016/09/27 James Westward. Howe Jr. said

Insults? I repeat my question: since at that place is simply a half inch outlet on the switchover valve, should I use blackness pipe with LP to increase the volume since even with the new products on the market for LP, I haven't seen any that have a diameter larger than three quarters of an inch OR should I merely put a brusk manifold on the valve outlet with three one-half inch outlets on it and run 3 half inch lines, i to each appliance? jwh,jr

Moderator reply: excerpts on gas pipe bore & length & BTUH or Cubic Feet per 60 minutes Gas Supply for NG or LPG from model gas codes & resource

James:

Thanks for clarifying your question to focus on LP gas piping size or bore for a 10-foot length for an un-specified number of appliances or gas-fueled equipment.

Your original question mixed pipage blazon, pipe diameter, manifolds, fuels, tank changeover valves, and appliances of unknown input or BTUH requirements and so we were not sure what answer would be most helpful.

You asserted that you're asking just about pipe diameter and you don't care almost pressure level, simply it'south important to understand that it's inadequate piping size (or improper regulators or regulator settings) that would deliver inadequate gas pressure (or flow rate in CFM per minute) at one or more appliances.

Typically the plumber measures gas pipe pressure first with all appliances off, then with them on. If the pressure with all appliances using fuel falls below the required input force per unit area at the appliance regulators the plumber knows to choose among
increment pipe bore size or to go to a two stage regulator arrangement. A 2 stage regulator arrangement is not normally required in a typical home gas piping installation.

You referred by email to lacking a copy of a model plumbing code such every bit the U.S. National Plumbing Code

Equally you'll read CHAPTER 4, Gas Piping Installations, Section FGC 401, in the New York City Gas Code, plant at https://InspectAPedia.com/plumbing/NYC_Gas_Code_CH_4_Gas_Piping_Installations_2014.pdf - provided free at InspectApedia.com as well equally by New York City, or as you can read in what's the best resource about gas pipage installation, the National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54, proper sizing of gas pipe cannot exist decided by arm-waving, shouting, nor insult.

Rather one needs to exercise some elementary arithmetics, looking at piping lengths, diameters, fuel type, AND the input BTUH (or cubic feet of gas per hour) required the appliances on the gas piping system.

Lookout out: beware of a simple "merely give me the answer" demand for questions that are incomplete, for which a safety proper respond requires more than information, and for which a hasty one-size-fits'all respond could kill yous or others.

I tin can't respond your gas manifold question as that's a local plumbing decision based on space, convenience, and other factors suggested hither.

LP Gas Pipe Sizing Codes, Tables & Examples

• iii/8" OD Copper tubing 10 feet long tin can support 49 KBTUH (G BTUs/Hour) of gas flow or supply at 11 inches Westward.C. with a 0.5" West.C. pressure drop.

  We're using this pressure range as it's most common for household appliances but you will need to check the specifications for your ain appliances.

• ane/2" OD Copper tubing x ft. long can support 110 KBTUH equally above
• 3/4" OD Copper tubing 10 ft. long can support 348 KBTUH as above
• 1/ii" iron pipe (of an approved blazon) 10 ft. of length can deliver 291 KBTUH as in a higher place
• 3/4" iron pipe ten ft. of length can deliver 608 KBTUH equally above
• See additional gas pipage sizing tables and guidelines in the Codes and IO Manuals cited and provided below.

Notation that these information points are for 11" Westward.C. gas line sizing & copper.

Dissimilar information than that given in the gas pipage sizing just above will be obtained if you are designing a 2 psig gas line.

What'south the Difference betwixt an 11" wc gas piping organization and a 2 psig gas piping organization?

xi" wc is the most-common residential gas piping organization merely some new installations are being installed using a 2psig gas pipage arrangement. ("psig" refers to psi read on a pressure gauge or "gauge pressure".

xi" Westward.C. (Water Column) = 0.397 psig.

Formula to convert force per unit area P to psi: psi = P / 27.679904842545

Or for convenience one psi = 27.7 in W.C.

What's the deviation between PSI, PSIA, and PSIG?

PSI = pounds per square inch

PSIA = atmospheric pressure or pressure if measured compared to a pure vacuum. At sea level atmospheric pressure is 14.7 PSIA

PSIG = gauge pressure expressed in psi. Gauge force per unit area will show 0 at sea level. Since most building gas pressures are read using a pressure guess it is proper to refer to psig or gauge pressure level.

An example for 2psi piping systems is given below.

Maxitrol 325-series 2 psig Gas Force per unit area Regulator GAS Menstruation RATE from Open up PIPE
Menses of Natural Gas Less Escape Volume 3	Length of Service Pipe
	25 ft		50 ft		100 ft
	BTUs	CFH	BTUs	CFH	BTUs	CFH
3/four" Iron Piping @ 6" west.c.	600K	600	440K	440	315K	315
iii/8" OD Tubing @ 2 psi	210K	210	148	148	105K	105

Notes to the table in a higher place:

1. For Natural Gas Maxitrol assumes 1000 btus / cubic pes of gas - this allows translation of cu.ft. into BTUs
2. CFH = Cubic Feet per Hour
3. Less Escapement Volume: Gas at vi" w.c. escapes from a 3/4" pipe at about three times the charge per unit of gas from a iii/ eight" OD tube at 2-psi. The chart beneath shows flow comparisons at the discharge end. From the standpoint of uncontrolled escape of gas within a building, the ii-psi system has less catamenia than the 6" w.c. system.
4. ANSI Z21.80 is the ANSI standard for line pressure regulators, intended for application in natural gas pipage systems and LP (propane). Maxitrol'south 325 Serial L-models are CSA certified (Z21.fourscore) for 2-psi inlet pressure, with the seven to 11 (inches w.c. outlet) spring.
5. Source: MAXITROL two-psi GAS PIPING SYSTEMS 325 Series GAS REGULATORS for DOMESTIC GAS Pipe [PDF] (2005) Maxitrol Company 23555 Telegraph Rd., P.O. Box 2230 Southfield, MI 48037-2230 U.Southward.A. www.maxitrol.com
6. Meet as well GAS BTUH, CUBIC Anxiety & Energy
7. Run into as well GAS PRESSURES LP vs NATURAL GAS

Gas Piping Sizing Codes, Specifications, Resources

• NFPA 54, ANSI Z223.1, (2015) The gas piping tables in NFPA 54 include a reminder of allowances needed to account for bends, fittings, valves - effectively those increase the constructive "length" of the piping when figuring lengths and pipe size requirements. Similar gas piping size charts are given by LP gas suppliers. This standard provides minimum safety requirements for the pattern and installation of fuel gas piping systems in homes and other buildings.
  As NFPA Explains NFPA 54 addresses the post-obit:
  
  Requirements cover the installation and operation of fuel gas piping systems, appliances, equipment, and related accessories, with rules for piping systems materials and components, piping arrangement testing and purging, combustion and ventilation air supply, and venting of gas-fired appliances and equipment.

  Yous tin buy a copy of the National Fuel Gas Lawmaking from NFPA at http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/listing-of-codes-and-standards?way=code&code=54

  NFPA as well permits viewing of NFPA 54 online, free if will have the fourth dimension and trouble to register with the association. NFPA = the National Fire Protection Association, whom you lot can contact at
  NFPA
  1 Batterymarch Park
  Quincy, Massachusetts USA 02169-7471
  Phone +one 800 344-3555 (U.S. & Canada) +1 617 770-3000 (International)

• APPENDIX A: SIZING & CAPACITIES of GAS Pipage [PDF] as adopted in the U.S. past Virginia's adoption of the the IFGS and the National Fuel Gas Lawmaking will provide details of the information you need for an actual, rubber reply to your gas pipage questions.
• RESIDENTIAL PROPANE INSTALLATION GUIDE - GAS PIPING MATERIALS [PDF] Minnesota Propane Gas Clan, PO Box 220, Princeton MN 55371, Tel: 763-633-4271, Website: www.mnpropane.org retrived 2020/05/08, original source: www.lakesgas.com/images/2019/Residential-Propane-Guide.pdf is another example that lists commanded gas piping materials
• "LP GAS LINE SIZING CHARTS", [PDF] LP-Gas Equipment Inc. 881 Hersey St. St. Paul, Minnesota 55114 Us, Phone (651) 646-1177 Minnesota: 800-652-9072 Out-of-State: 800-328-9222 Email: info[at]lp-gasequipment.com, retrieved 2016/09/27 original source: http://www.lp-gasequipment.com/products/pdf/LPGas_Cat2010_p157-175.pdf There you'll notice the following tables:
• Gas pipe or tubing length vs. piping size for xi" West.C. - gas line sizing chart for copper tubing & pipe
• Gas piping or tubing length vs. pipe size for 2 PSIG - gas line sizing chart for copper tubing & pipe
• Gas pipe or tubing length vs. pipe size for 10 PSIG - gas line sizing nautical chart for copper tubing & pipe
• Gas piping or tubing length vs. pipe size for ten PSIG - gas line sizing chart for polyethylene tubing
• Gas pipe or tubing length vs. pipe size for 10 PSIG - gas line sizing chart for CSST corrugated stainless steel tubing (As well run across GAS PIPING, FLEXIBLE CSST)
• Liquid flow gas supply sizing charts rated in gallons per hour vs length of pipe and pipe diameter
• Gas equipment orifice size (and drill size) vs. BTUH capacity at various pressures
• Other tables, charts, calculations useful to gas piping installers and technicians

• MAXITROL 2 one/ii" GAS Appliance REGULATOR 210G-ii ane/2 & 220 Series INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS [PDF] up to 26,000,000 BTU - (shown above) as offered by globalindustrial.com, retrieved 2021/02/09, original source: https://world wide web.globalindustrial.com/

  Website Excerpt:
  The 210 Serial Is A Lock-Upward Blazon Regulator And Compiles With Codes Using This Specification. The 210 Series Has Been Designed For Maximum Control Office In An Easy To Use Parcel. The Serial Is Intended For Use With Gas-Fired Boilers, Steam Generators, Industrial Furnaces, Ovens And Like High Demand Equipment. The Balanced Valve Design Eliminates The Inlet Pressure Issue Acting On The Valve. Regulating Stability Is Improved And Hunting Tendencies Reduced By The Use Of Dampening Mechanisms In Both The Breather Outlet And Sensing Tube. You Get Precise Regulation Over A Wide Range Of Pressures And Flow Rates With The 210 Series, Including A "Zero Governor" Awarding. Made in the USA.

• MAXITROL GAS REGULATORS Chapters CHARTS 210-series [PDF] (2006) Maxitrol Company 23555 Telegraph Rd., P.O. Box 2230 Southfield, MI 48037-2230 U.Due south.A. www.maxitrol.com and in Europe: Maxitrol Company 23555 Telegraph Rd., P.O. Box 2230 Southfield, MI 48037-2230 U.S.A. www.maxitrol.com - retrieved 2021/02/09, original source: industrialcontrolsonline.com

• SENSUS 243 GAS REGULATOR SPECIFICATIONS [PDF] (2013) Sensus Corp., 805 Liberty Boulevard, DuBois, PA 15801 USA Website: sensus.com/gas Tel: 1-800-375-8875
• SENSUS 243 GAS REGULATOR IO MANUAL [PDF] Op. Cit. - Includes Capacity Tables for natural gas for this regulator model.

In that reference you volition see that for longer gas pipage runs, in excess of 100 feet, copper tubing in any size, three/8" to 7/8" O.D. is not permitted and won't work.

Instance Natural Gas Piping Lawmaking Excerpts

Hither are a few explanatory excerpts from New York City's natural gas pipe code; we provided some LP gas piping length examples in an earlier reply. :

401.3 [Natural Gas Piping ] Modifications to existing systems.

In modifying or calculation to existing pipe systems, sizes shall be maintained in accordance with this chapter.

401.4 [Natural Gas Pipe ] Additional appliances.

Where an additional apparatus is to be served, the existing pipe shall be checked to determine if it has acceptable chapters for all appliances served. If inadequate, the existing system shall exist enlarged as required or split up piping of adequate capacity shall exist provided.

401.3 Modifications to existing [Natural Gas Piping ] systems.

In modifying or calculation to existing piping systems, sizes shall be maintained in accord with this chapter.

401.4 Additional [Natural Gas Piping ] appliances.

Where an additional appliance is to be served, the existing piping shall exist checked to decide if it as acceptable chapters for all appliances served.
If inadequate, the existing system shall be enlarged equally required or separate pipe of adequate capacity shall exist provided.

402.3 [Natural Gas Pipage ] Sizing.

Gas piping shall exist sized in accordance with one of the following:

1.Pipe sizing tables or sizing equations in accordance with Section 402.iv.

2.The sizing tables included in a listed piping organisation'south manufacturer'due south installation instructions.

3.Other canonical engineering methods.

iv.Private outlets to gas ranges shall non be less than ¾ inches (19 mm) NPS .

402.four [Natural Gas Pipe ] Sizing tables and equations.

Where Tables 402.4(ane) through 402.4(5) are used to size pipage or tubing,
the pipe length shall be adamant in accordance with Section 402.iv.1, 402.4.2 or 402.iv.3.

402.4.ane Longest [Natural Gas Piping ] length method.

The pipe size of each section of gas piping shall be determined using the longest length of piping from the bespeak of
commitment to the most remote outlet and the load of the section

402.4.ii [Natural Gas Piping ] Branch length method.

Pipe shall be sized equally follows:

ane.Pipe size of each section of the longest pipe run from the signal of delivery to the virtually remote outlet shall be determined using the longest run of piping and the load of the department.

2.The pipe size of each section of branch piping non previously sized shall be determined using the length of piping from the point of delivery to the near remote outlet in each branch and the load of the department.

402.iv.3 [Natural Gas Pipe ] Hybrid pressure.

The pipage size for each section of higher pressure gas pipe shall be determined using the longest length of piping from the bespeak of delivery to the most remote line pressure regulator. The pipe size from the line force per unit area regulator to each outlet shall be determined using the length of piping from the regulator to the virtually remote outlet served past the regulator.

Examples:

Using Schedule 40 Metallic Pipe and Natural Gas, where inlet pressure [at the appliance] must exist less than ii psi, the pressure level drib in the arrangement must be no less than 0.iii" due west.c. [Later tables in this reference let grater pressure drop and and so will support higher CFM of gas per hour for the same bore and lengths of piping].

• 10 feet of i/ii" pipe (bodily ID 0.622) tin can provide 131 cubic feet of gas per hr
• ten feet of 3/4" pipe can provide 273 cubic feet of gas per 60 minutes
• 20 feet of 1/2" pipe can provide xc cubic anxiety of gas per hour
• xx feet of 3/4" piping can provide 188 cubic feet of gas per hour

The codes I cite give detailed tables of pipe types, diameters, lengths, and the pipe's capacity to deliver some number of cubic feet of gas per hour. Accept a look at your own appliances to see their requirements. Or you tin can look up typical appliance BTUH requirements in the documents nosotros've cited.

402.5 Allowable [Natural Gas Pipage ] pressure drop.

The design pressure level loss in any pipe system nether maximum probable flow conditions, from the bespeak of commitment to the inlet connection of the appliance, shall exist such that the supply pressure at the appliance is greater than or equal to the minimum pressure required past appliance.

403.1 [Natural Gas Pipe ] General.

Materials used for piping systems

shall be new and comply with the requirements of this chapter or shall be approved.

403.1.one [Natural Gas Pipage ] Pipe size and pressure level limitations.

1. All requirements for installation of gas distribution piping with operating pressures at ½ psig (3.5 kPa estimate) or less and above ½psig (3.five kPa gauge) shall be in accordance with Affiliate 4 of this code.

2. Gas distribution pipage operating at a pressure of over ½psig (iii.five kPa gauge) to 5 psig (34.v kPa gauge) and size 4 inches (102 mm) or larger shall exist welded.Exception:Manufactured and listed gas trains provided with the appliance may be threaded

3. All gas distribution piping operating at a pressure higher up 5 psig (34.5 kPa gauge) shall be welded.

4. All welding of gas distribution piping shall be subject to special inspection as fix forth in Section 406.

5. All pipage four inches (102 mm) and greater operating at pressure exceeding v psig (34.v kPa estimate) must be butt welded, discipline to special inspection and radiographed.

6.Threaded piping may be used up to iv inches (102 mm) at pressure no greater than ½psig (three.5 kPa judge).

403.2 Used [Natural Gas Pipage ] materials.

Used pipe, fittings, valves and othermaterials shall not be reused.

403.3 Other [Natural Gas Piping ] materials.

Material not covered by the standards specifications listed herein shall be investigated and tested to make up one's mind that it is rubber and suitable for the proposed service, and, in improver, shall be recommended for that service by the manufacturer subject field to blessing by the commissioner.

403.iv [Natural Gas Piping ] Metal pipe.

Metallic pipe shall comply with Sections403.4.1 through 403.4.4.

403.4.1 [Natural Gas Piping ] Cast atomic number 26.

Bandage-iron pipe shall not be used.

403.4.2 [Natural Gas Piping ] Steel.

Carbon steel and wrought-iron pipe shall be at least of standard weight and shall comply with ane of the following standards:1.ASME B36.x, 10M2.ASTM A 53/A53M; or3.ASTM A 106.403.iv.3 Copper and brass.

Copper and brass pipe shall no tbe used.

403.4.4 [Natural Gas Pipage ] Aluminum.

Aluminum-alloy piping shall not be used.

403.five [Natural Gas Pipage ] Metal tubing.

Metallic tubing shall non be usedexcept every bit provided in Department 405.5

Watch out: There are life safety hazards involved when fooling with gas piping and appliances. Check with your local plumbing officials about what blazon of gas piping are permitted where you live, and while you're at it, enquire what gas piping or plumbing permits and condom and lawmaking compliance inspections are required where you live.

Natural Gas Appliance Operating Pressures in WC, millibars, Pascals, PSI or ounces of pressure level

A mutual operating pressure for natural gas appliances is around 7 inches of water column (WC) or re-stating this in equivalent mensurate, that'due south xiv.9 millibars or 1743 Pascals or Pa, or nigh 0.25 psi (pounds per square inch) or about 4 ounces of pressure per square inch.

See NATURAL GAS Appliance PRESSURES for details.

LP or Propane Gas Appliance Operating Pressures in WC, millibars, Pascals, PSI or ounces of pressure

A common operating pressure for liquid petroleum or LP gas appliance is x" - 11" of h2o column (WC) or re-stating this in equivalent measures, that'due south 27.4 millibars or 2491 - 2739 Pascals or Pa, or virtually 0.36 - 0.40 psi or nigh 5.78 to 6.36 ounces of force per unit area per square inch.

Run into LPG & PROPANE Apparatus PRESSURES for details.

Reader Q&A on gas piping

@Joe,

Hither is a propane-to-natural-gas connector kit - this example is the Permasteel Natural Gas Conversion Kit for Kenmore Grills 6-Burner + Side Burner.

Equally y'all tin can see, those are dissimilar materials.

Watch out: Some gas connector lines, just not all of them, are rated for both LPG and natural gas fuels.

I would not use propane gas connectors nor other parts on a natural gas barbecue BEFORE reading the specifications for your specific product.

Below is a connector hose described every bit rated for propane gas.

Take a look at the materials and also take a look at the requirements to convert a gas grille from Propane to Natural Gas - my second analogy I'll mail in a minute.

Bottom line:

You MIGHT be able to use the aforementioned hose for connecting to EITHER Propane or Natural Gas **if** the hose is specifically rated for both fuels.

An example is shown below, from M.B. Sturgis Co., a hose that is specifically rated every bit OK for either fuel (shown as sold at Amazon) described every bit

3/8" ID Thermo Safety High Force per unit area Propane/Natural Gas Hose with 3/8" 45 Caste Female person Flare Swivels on each end.

Versatile hose tin be used for whatever Propane or Natural Gas Apparatus connection. The Female Flare Swivels make connecting to the supply or appliance easy.

Thermo Safe Hose stays very flexible in cold weather.
350 PSI Max Force per unit area Rating
Certified to UL21, UL569, CAN 8.3

shown above

Tin can I use a iii/viii propane hose to run a natural gas barbecue

@STEVEN ALTMAN,

Cheers, that's an interesting question; for which I cannot give an authoritative reply, as might a suitable civil or plumbing engineer.

I suspect that the distances are so brusk that what you advise is fine, but technically it's a period question that could use engineering calulations.

Or you'll endeavor the 1" and monitor the result; for short distances like that re-plumbing sounds minor.

my customer is adding an boosted ng hot waster pressure level washer to his facility. shortly, he has ii units rated at 415,000 btu'southward. The boosted unit will be the aforementioned. The 2 units are individually continued to a 2" master with shut offs and regulators. The new unit volition be located next to a existing unit supplied from a 1" black piping approximately 10" from the two" supply line.

if possible, we would similar to plumb into the existing one" line for the additional unit which will be located almost 10' away. Do y'all see this as a problem? What size blackness piping line would be required for each individually for this 415,000 btu requirement ? From the in a higher place data, it seems that a three/iv" line at 25' is rated at 600,000 btu's and then a 1" would seem to be adequate..do you agree ? cheers.

Travis:

Take a wait at the input pressure level that is specified on the LPG regulator that is provided with the powder-coat oven you are installing. If your supply pressure is greater than that you'll desire a step-down regulator only alee of the oven.

That's a common approach when having to evangelize loftier gas supply rates over longer piping runs: distribute at higher pressure and drop down at the appliance;

Thanks for your tongue-in-cheek comment too.

80 ft is pretty long; if y'all don't run the larger line to closer to your burners you lot may find inadequate gas flow.

Cheers for the quick response..I have a couple of other questions. I'one thousand planning on running 1 1/2" atomic number 26 from a regulator like the examples to within a foot or two of furnace.. Adapting downward to a 1 one/4 flex line for terminal connection. Exercise I need another regulator of some sort at the terminate of the 1 1/2 fe piping. Second question is regarding the connection of tanks to start regulator. Should I utilize both tanks simultaneously to feed supply line and if so would I simply apply the appropriate size pipe from each tank into a tee and then into regulator..
Last only not least a hats off and big thanks to all who are involved in running this website...and I'm impressed with mod'southward power to keep pen in cheek when dealing with jackasses like James from above...Give thanks Yous!!
Repent if this a indistinguishable annotate I don't know if my first ane got sent or I somehow but managed to erase it...

Continuing:
More than examples of high BTUh gas regulators include this Sensus 243-12 model.

Also see these examples of gas regulator specs and IO manuals that include helpul sizing tables; more sizing tables are in the article above.

https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Sensus-243-Gas-Regulator-IO-Manual.pdf SENSUS 243 GAS REGULATOR IO Manual

https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Sensus-243-Gas-Regulator-Specifications.pdf SENSUS 243 GAS REGULATOR SPECIFICATIONS

Travis:

In the article above you'll find the basic gas piping diameter and length limits at
"LP Gas Pipe Sizing Codes, Tables & Examples"

and but beneath that links to PDF files giving detailed gas pipe sizing tables that relate BTUs and pipe lengths that will work.

I suspect you volition demand AT Least 1 1/4" pipe over that 80 ft. run.

And fifty-fifty though that 1/four" ID line between LP tank and regulator is quite curt, your BTUh consumption 1.2 one thousand thousand is so great that most-probable the whole regulator and pipe diameter need to exist increased. Take a look at the regulator brand and model, then requite its manufacturer a call.

It's likely that you volition need a larger capacity primary regulator at the LP tank; an example is shown below; ofttimes we run into that for a high BTUh application like yours the gas is run from tank to apparatus at college pressure level and so is stepped down by a secondary regulator only alee of the appliance.

The regulator I bear witness beneath, the Maxitrol ii one/2" Gas Appliance Regulator 210G-2 i/2, can deliver up to 26,000,000 BTU and is probably a college chapters than you demand, but other models (at lower toll) are of course available.

I'one thousand installing a large powder coat oven in my shop. 20'x10'x10" information technology is a propane heated unit...The unit has a max. burn down rate of ane.2mil BTU and one 1/iv inlet for propane.. The tanks used for propane supply are two #420 tanks located approximately 80ft away and 12ft beneath the burner. Do I demand to run 1 1/iv pipe all the way dorsum to the propane tanks and will the one/4" copper line off tank to regulator allow plenty fuel to run heater...Give thanks you

Linda

That regulator you show is intended for employ on an RV or camper and is not intended to serve a building with longer gas line runs; I suspect that information technology is very nether-sized and may not exist canonical for the use y'all take made of it.

[Re-posted with illustration replacing link - modern]

Ok, I installed 50ft of 3/4" black pipe when I remodeled this befouled. My plan, to apply LP for furnace, dryer, range that was v years ago. Plans changed. The lines were tested and tight at that time. All capped. I decided to install a gas range so I pressure tested the lines, made corrections to couplings that were soap tested and showed leaks.

Retested. Everything is good. The line is clear. Bought a new dual stage regulator and 2 tanks. [from Amazon -shown below] Installed a 3/8" black hose to ;my black pipe.

This regulator indicates that the tank is empty but I'thousand wondering if my blackness pipe line is besides long and the pressure is the line is also low to get the gas to my range which would cause the valve in the regulator or the valve in the tank to shut.

You demand to be a little more clear on exactly where you are detecting no fuel.

I'm non aware of any gas regulators at appliances that tell us anything about the quantity of fuel available in the lp tank.

Fifty-fifty if your piping is under sized for the length yous would yet see some gas flow, it would just be at besides low a charge per unit or force per unit area.

So allow's start by being sure that there's no valve closed somewhere in the arrangement.

Watch out, if you're not familiar with proper and safety gas piping this is not piece of work yous should attempt yourself as a mistake could blow the place up.

I am installing ii 40# lp tanks to supply my range in my dwelling. I have a long run (50ft) of 3/4" black pipe to my kitchen. When I finished installing the tanks, regulator, and connections the regulator shows my tanks are empty (just filled) and no gas is getting to my range. Everything has been pressurized and soap tested and then there'south no leaks. I'thousand wondering if I need a higher force per unit area regulator, bigger tanks, or a shorter run. Whatever ideas?

Forrest

Thank you very much for your generous comments. I've worked hard on this fabric for a long fourth dimension and and then I'one thousand specially grateful when readers find information technology useful.

Your questions, comments, criticism, or content suggestions are also e'er welcome and helpful.

cheers so much for your very detailed article. Some people take to exist jerks fifty-fifty when they are getting gratis help . I learned a lot! Cheers again
Forrest

nosotros are going to run a line for propane gas about 60-65 ft, to the business firm. we have a 250 gal. tank. are all the different materials (coated flexible copper, alum, stainless steel) equal as far as safe and durability?

TF

Please find your question and my detailed respond now nearly the elevation of the article above on this page. You may need to clear or refresh your browser cache to see the updated page. Nosotros welcome your further photos, comments, questions.

TF

Indeed at that place are plastic-coated LP gas piping materials that are rated for outdoor and for either above-basis or for cached (underground) employ. Those are described on the page to a higher place and at

GAS PIPING, FLEXIBLE CSST

For long gas runs you often demand to add a regulator.

I take a 250 gallon propane tank and have 22kw generator hooked up to it. I am in the process of having a concrete deck poured and was wondering if I should go underground with the propane piping to the firm fireplace(vented logs) which has never been hooked up, I would similar to have an outlet on deck for a propane BBQ pit.

The tank is almost 110' away from the fireplace connection and the location where I want to add for the bbq is virtually 50 ft. Wondering what is best material to run and practise I use tee or header underground/in a higher place before it goes into decking. As well as do I need additional regulator?

Garnett In the article above yous'll run across some propane pipe size guidelines and examples.

3/eight" OD Copper tubing 10 feet long tin support 49 KBTUH (K BTUs/Hr) of gas period or supply at 11 inches West.C. with a 0.5" West.C. pressure drop. We're using this pressure range as information technology'due south most mutual for household appliances but you will need to bank check the specifications for your ain appliances.

And so you can see that to go 25 ft you lot demand a larger size.

I am hooking up a xxx,000 btu propane gas free standing stove heater and demand to run copper pipe for aboutn25 anxiety just wanting to know if I should run iii/8 pipe or 1/2 pipage

I purchased a minor 60 gal auxiliary lp tank in case emergency and water heater during summer.i have some questions almost hooking it up.
This was used on an rv that ran on LP. Therefore, I had to purchase a vapor valve since rv used liquid LP. Doesn't have a regulator.

1--does the brass fitting that attaches to the tank for vapor need to have pipe dope/tape?

2--tin lp from this tank be ran into the existing regulator? Pocket-size tank will only be used in the situations above. The output will go into the larger tank.

three--can CSST be used to claw both tanks together with or w/o protection from atmospheric condition? Thanks for any answers or comments.

Mike

I'm certainly not absolutely certain but your best run a risk for success is to apply a large diameter gas line 5/8 in for instance.

The number one complaint I hear from people trying to run a generator is inadequate flow - is usuly because of using as well small a bore piping on a long run. Proceed me posted.

Trying to determine if I can run an emergency portable generator off the firm LP supply line (with majority tank) and not affect the furnace.

I am doing this for a friend who has a medically dependent (on electricity) child. The supply line from the bulk tank to the firm is 3/8" OD copper after the regulator.

At the house is a second regulator with a five/8" OD copper line on the output that then runs directly to the furnace - probably iv' of v/8" OD piping. No other LP appliances/uses. I am hoping to tap a line off the drip leg of the furnace piping and run over to the generator using soft copper tubing.

The furnace drip leg is 1/two" B.I. NPT pipe. The generator is a 12,000 watt (tiptop), driven past a 18 HP engine.

The generator location requires an approximately 40' supply line (from furnace to generator).

The generator comes with a principal regulator (intended for connecting to a 20# or 40# cylinder) and a secondary regulator mounted on the generator.

I exercise not currently know the furnace BTU but the house is an older two story subcontract house. Also, I alive in Iowa where winters tin can be quite common cold at times. My concerns? I want to ensure I have the proper line size feeding the generator AND I exercise not want to "starve" the furnace when the generator is running. Whatsoever assist would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Nope, Terry, In my view as long as the 3/4" NG regulator has the same force per unit area and menstruum ratings, the simply deviation is the pipe fitting size - that ought not injure a thing as you'll simply accept to use the proper piping fittings to pace down from 3/4" to 1/2".

I purchased a 3/iv" NG regulator by accident to supervene upon 1/2" regulator for NG Grill. Both accept aforementioned output (7 inch WC). Should I expect failure hither?

Non necessarily, Edward; the pressure level and diameter solitary won't tell the story; the piping length and other restrictions may also mean you demand a larger bore. Yous'll see details in the commodity on this page.

trying to connect 7500 duel fuel generator with 7,500 running wattage to abode propane line will 1/2" sch. 40 blackness pipe be sufficient the generator people say requires 1.two cfm at 7-11 inches of water?

@Barbara C.,
Cheers for your response, Dan. I will check with the propane supplier too. This site is a great source and I appreciate the work involved to maintain information technology.

All-time,

Barbara

Barbara

A google Scholar search for "rodent damage gas piping" and similar phrases turned up articles on rodent-proof construction but no specific article (at least not in the first few pages I scanned) reporting an incident of rodents chewing through metal gas pipe.

I'm waaay besides scared to bet your life on arm-waving but I suspect that when squirrels or other rodents chew through gas lines it's plastic or PVC pipe that they attack, non copper or atomic number 26 piping.

If y'all actually see bite marks or scratches on any of the piping that'd up the business organisation and I hope that in addition to calling your plumber you'll post a photograph of that piping here.

Propane tanks that supply the heating boiler in my dwelling house have slim metallic pipes traveling from the tank, across the back of my house and into a larger pipe that enters the banality room. I have found chewed basics in the area at the acme of each tank that shelters the gauges that indicate the number of gallons in the tanks.

I am concerned as to whether the chipmunks could consume through the gas lines. There's a large population of chipmunks and squirrels nearly my abode due to a grove of adjacent nut trees. Chipmunks accept chewed through wires in my engine several times so this is non an academic or theoretical question. Thanks.

I was very clear regarding what I was going to apply. I was continuing right adjacent to the piping and pointing to them. Either he is overly cautious or had no thought what he was doing. He did ostend that he was a plumber. Any thoughts on the plan. I too wanted to notation that all connections would have PTFE (gas rated) tape. I do know that the flared heads exercise non require record. Thanks for your help! JIm

Jim

Your Home Depot plumbing rep may have thought you were talking about using black PLASTIC pipe such as ABS.

Black iron piping is the traditional and correct plumbing fabric for LPG and Natural gas. Hither is what the Home Depot link says

Potent and durable black steel pipes (a.k.a. Blackness Iron, Blackness Malleable) are used to transport natural and propane gas from the street or a tank to the home. Adept for fire sprinkler systems because of estrus resistance. Hub-and-spigot bandage fe pipes should be installed by professionals. Comes in a diversity of lengths from 2 inches to 10 feet and diameters of ¼ inch to 2 inches.

I'm looking to build (an unusual) charcoal grill with a propane starter. I've washed some enquiry and scoured the web for information. At this betoken, I know plenty to exist dangerous and by no means an good (why I'm request hither). I went to the Home Depot plumbing department for some information. When I explained that I was thinking of using blackness piping for the starter, the representative near had a eye attack, berated me, told me that I would end up on the news for bravado myself upwards. I was simply trying to get some information and he refused to assistance and he told his associate to not talk to me because it could be a lawsuit. My question is, is information technology safe to use schedule xl blackness pipe as a propane burner? I was as well wondering if the attached image of my programme would be viable or too dangerous to try. As a charcoal starter, information technology would only exist used for 10-20 minutes max. Is that too long and cook the pipage? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Jim

P.S. What's really funny is that the Home Depot website states that blackness pipe tin can be used for LP commitment.
https://www.homedepot.com/c/ab/types-of-pipes/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90cf2ccbfa

Can you substitute ppr for ppe for lpg gas line? Thanks

Sam

I don't know the expertise of the person who brash you that individual appliance regulators are not needed, but my view is the safest and best arroyo is to check with the manufcturer of the specific equipment past brand and model, or if y'all have the installation and performance manual for your fryers offset there.

In my experience appliances expect their own local regulator and the manual writers assume one will be provided if information technology is not already an integral office of the apparatus.

Here is an excerpt from a commercial fryer installation manual:

To adjust the pressure, remove the regulator aligning screw encompass (see the Gas Valve illustration.) Remove the cover cap. Use a flat tip screwdriver to adjust the spiral until the correct pressure is reached. (clockwise will increment the pressure, counterclockwise volition decrease the pressure.)

Source: Pitco Fryaltor IO Manual, Installation, Operation and Maintenance Manual for Fryer Model Numbers vii,12,14,14R & 18
Gas Fryers With Options and (F) Congenital-In and UFM (Spacefighter) Filter Systems - retrieed 2019/02/19 original source: https://www.heritageparts.com/medias

Note that the instructions for your fryer make and model may differ.

Hi mod, I'm sad it is black iron pipe non galvanized lamentable.

My apartment top my steam table and my funnel cake fryer all have a regulator that came from the factory but my 270-pound fryers practise not one of the person told me that because it was a hundred fifty one thousand BTUs per fryer and I had a 525000 PT yous regulator did I would not demand a regulator on that organization is this true and should I go with iii/4 inch hoses from my black Atomic number 26 to my equipment

Sam you might want to check with your local build department / plumbing inspector since galvanized pipe is frequently prohibited in favor of blackness fe pipe for gas piping.

Commonly each appliance has its ain gas regulator.

I am installing two fryers a flat top and a steam table. I am using 3/4 inch galvanized pipe and so I'chiliad running information technology to my equipment should I use 3/four inch hose since I'm using 3/iv inch pipe with reducers to the half inch on a couple of pieces of equipment I too accept a 525000 BTU low force per unit area regulator do I need to have a regulator on each slice of equipment if information technology did not come with it from the factory

Hullo. I'm trying to replace my indoor electrical washer/dryer only just discovered there's a capped propane pipe sticking out of the wall horizontally. It'due south in the way. If I have to go through the fourth dimension/money/hassle of shortening information technology, I might as well stick it in the wall. I've seen outlet boxes for washer hot/cold/bleed fittings and also outlet boxes for ice makers. I'yard wondering if I could utilize one of those boxes for this application.

The water ice maker box seems perfect, although I'd have to widen the hole to accomodate the diameter of the presumably black fe pipage. Would such a box be prophylactic? Is there a improve, pre-existing option? And depending on what is needed (haven't opened the wall even so), is a black iron plug just as prophylactic as a black iron cap?

In an ideal situation, just need that cap/plug and PTFE gas line tape, right? And of course an outlet box or something similar. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Barbara,

Brass fittings are commonly used in gas piping

Yet galvanized pipe is not recommended.

I was wondering if when installing gas range I used a 3/8 elbow screwing it onto the
Gal nip coming off gas range then a iii/viii brass nip going into regulator volition it make a diffence because it's not black fittings ? Will it corrode?

Nathan

That sounds like a fine thought and ought to be ok - let me know if your plumber has a dissimilar stance.

Would it make sense to always plumb a house for Natural Gas. Natural Gas is available downwards the road merely non at my house yet. I would employ Propane until information technology becomes available. I know Natural Gas typically requires larger pipage than propane would it cause any issues for the propane?

No, as some older LPG pipage including copper and flexible copper were copper colored or greyness-coated;

but you will see that newer flexible gas lines and piping are typically coated with a yellow surface that helps resist damage.

Does fifty.p. gas have to have a yellowish jacket

...

Proceed reading at GAS Pipe, VALVES, CONTROLS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the consummate ARTICLE Index.

Or see

Commodity Series Contents

• GAS APPLIANCE Convert LP-to-NATURAL GAS
• GAS BTUH, CUBIC Anxiety & ENERGY
• GAS LEAK DETECTION, LP / NG
• GAS LAWS & CONSTANTS
• GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS - home
  • FLARE FITTINGS
  • FLEXIBLE GAS CONNECTOR INSTALL
  • GAS PIPING, FLEXIBLE CSST
  • GAS PIPING CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS
  • GAS PIPING SIZE & Material
• GAS PRESSURES LP vs NATURAL GAS
• GAS Force per unit area vs Edifice Meridian
• GAS PRESSURE FLOW INADEQUATE
• GAS COOKTOP INSTALLATION
• GAS REGULATORS & Appliance / HEATER CONTROLS
• GAS REGULATORS for LP TANKS
• GAS SUPPLY for Electric GENERATORS

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