is flexible gas line legal in massachusetts
State fleets must also acquire AFVs according to the requirements of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 and the Massachusetts Office of Vehicle Management (OVM) must approve any light-duty vehicle acquisition. Its important that you have your home inspected by a local pro, especially if you arent sure about the status of your gas lines. Some plumbers will tell you it's faster and cheaper to install this new CSST piping. This type of gas line tubing is very popular among builders and contractors because of its ease of use, flexibility and its ability to save on labor installation costs especially over black iron pipe. This material was approved for residential use in 1988 by the National Fuel Gas Code. Since CSST is a very thin metal at around 0.3-mm thick, it is more vulnerable to lightning strikes. Installers should follow the recommendations of appliance manufacturers in installing gas piping or connecting to piping installations. DEAR BETSY: Congratulations! More on this in a just a moment. Chris, if the gas valve is in front (before) of the flexible gas connection, this is the most important thing close this valve. DominicThank you for asking if we can use CSST or equivalent flexible gas line connectors outdoors or not. The regulation also mandates that steel and wrought iron pipe be marked with labels reading "Gas" and "ASTM D 2513." Keep reading to learn some of the most important code requirements for flex gas lines and to see the common manufacturer instructions for CSST installations. But typically, at least one shutoff valve will need to be installed where the flex gas line connects to the 'black iron' or hard gas pipe. They're a new flexible stainless steel piping system that is installed like electrical wire. Traditional black iron pipe takes a lot of time to cut and thread. The short flexible connector to your gas-fired stove, furnace, or hot water heater is not CSST. Section G2415.3 (404.3) prohibits installing pipes through ductwork, clothing chutes, chimneys, elevator shafts and dumbwaiters. CSST needs to be electrically bonded and grounded to prevent damage to the line. Short answer: Generally not, but there are some flexible gas appliance connectors listed and approved for outdoor use, including some BrassCraft products like the company`s ProCoat stainless steel gas connector. There are lots of instances of houses that have been destroyed in gas fires because CSST pipe was ruptured by a lightning strike. Some of these violations can be life-safety hazards, so avoiding these mistakes is crucial. Generally, the gas lines can be damaged due to any type of environmental or external damage and pose a serious risk to the house. (d . What is the code that prohibits connecting flexible gas connectors? HEVs and AFVs must be acquired at a rate of at least 5% annually for all new motor vehicle purchases so that not less than 50% of the motor vehicles the Commonwealth owns and operates will be HEVs or AFVs by 2018. If this happens, the electricity from the lightning can arc, puncture a hole in the line, ignite the gas inside, and cause a fire. I have to check. A typical black iron pipe installation has many 90-degree, tee, and coupling fittings. At about 0.2 mm, or the thickness of two sheets of paper, the odds of lightning surging through improperly grounded and bonded CSST rise. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. Propane Laws and Incentives in Massachusetts - Energy Take a look at the entire pipeline to see if you can intercept the gas supply and shut it down in a more accessible location far in front of the problematic site. And that`s why I wanted to create this guide to educate homeowners about the potential dangers of flexible gas lines and update them with the current code. Keep in mind running, installing, or repairing a gas line often involves two different fields of expertise. PDF INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS - FREESTANDING GAS RANGE - Lowe's Some of their arguments never made sense to me. A .mass.gov website belongs to an official government organization in Massachusetts. Visit SEVERAL firehouses to get different opinions. If you have lots of pipes to run, this may be the way to go. CSST is not user friendly for a DIY installer. If you do have a leak, these fittings are almost always readily accessible for adjustment. And even if the CSST is made with an arc-resistant jacket, your local city or state may still require bonding. Many U.S. cities and towns (if not most) have adopted the provisions of the International Code Councils International Residential Code. She has written extensively for publications and websites in the business, management and legal fields. The cost to run a gas line is $20 per linear foot, and gas leak repairs will cost around $200, though this price will significantly increase if you need wall or ground excavation. A lock icon ( Drip legs are required on all black iron gas supply lines in Massachusetts. Read Also >> What Is The Code For Range Hood Venting? Since the CSST gas line has such a thin metal wall (0.3 mm thick), it is important to protect the gas line from nail punctures. Connections are made with common flare fittings that tighten with standard wrenches. Watch this video to see what you think about the dangers of the material. Section 10.08 - Traps and Cleanouts. I responded to this very interesting email with a few thoughts of my own. The manufacturer may not recommend it as well. Old homes with flexible gas lines were up to code when the home was built. Gas piping shall enter and exit a building at a point above grade and the . Additionally, the project inspector must approve the use. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); Subscribe to the FREE Ask the Builder newsletter to receive professional advice for your home. Protective plates need to be installed to protect flex gas lines from punctures. Mod. Who Can Help With Running or Installing a Gas Line? In regard to your article on the CSST systems being installed in new homes. By July 1 of each year, OVM must compile a report detailing the progress made towards these requirements. In the state of Massachusetts, the connector length is currently restricted to a maximum of 36". I was afraid of CSST because of the thin nature of the pipe. I need to install a compression stop valve on 1/2" copper. The current home I live in here in central New Hampshire had these flexible gas lines installed in 2001. A qualified electrician or plumber should verify proper installation of the flexible gas line. Any material not explicitly listed in the standards specifications must be specifically tested for the purpose intended, to make sure that the material is safe and will function as intended. 5.1.1 Installation of Piping Systems over Five Million BTU/hr. If you would like to continue helping us improve Mass.gov, join our user panel to test new features for the site. Some CSST manufacturers will require a minimum of flex line support every 4-feet, but other companies may only need support every 8-9 feet. I have seen three fires in our own community as a result of CSST failure. Multi-family Dwellings Diversity Factor in Percent of Total Load for Domestic Gas Ranges with connected Load Ratings of 63,000 Btu/hr. What are the Two Gas Line Install Choices? This code came in as a response to damage to flexible gas lines and fires in homes struck by lightning. Many of the manufacturers of this material require professional installers to take a short training course that familiarizes them with the small nuances of this unique gas piping system. I know as I have installed thousands of linear feet of the heavy material. This section also contains technical sizing tables and equations based on the type of pipe (i.e., metallic, semi-rigid copper tubing, corrugated stainless steel tubing or polyethylene plastic pipe) and the type of gas being piped (i.e., natural gas or undiluted propane). The Massachusetts Department of Transportation may not enter into, renew, or renegotiate a contract with a fuel provider for services on the Massachusetts Turnpike without requiring the provider to offer alternative fuel. Before installing gas piping systems to residential structures, be sure to check your local code enforcement ordinances. Sign up to my newsletter to receive expert advice for your home! Can gas connectors be placed underground? (a) Separate Traps for Each Fixture. An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, 248 CMR 4.00: Massachusetts fuel gas code, is, for 248 CMR 4.00: Massachusetts fuel gas code. Since the CSST gas line has such a thin metal wall (0.3 mm thick) it is important to protect the gas line from nail punctures. Please let us know how we can improve this page. Massachusetts Fuel and Gas Code. MassDEP prioritizes projects that benefit environmental justice communities. Take a look at GAS BTUH, CUBIC FEET & ENERGY, where we cite authoritative sources and (among others): One cubic foot (0.028 cubic meters) of natural gas contains about 1,050 BTUs Thank you for pointing out some confusion. (c) Gas piping systems with pressures over 70 P.S.I.G. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) provides U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) funding for projects that reduce diesel emissions in Massachusetts. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. I am about to buy a new gas range to replace the old electric one. Can you put two hoses together? All Massachusetts agencies must use a minimum of 15% biodiesel (B15) in all on- and off-road diesel engines, provided that the Commonwealth Office of Vehicle Management and other appropriate agencies have determined that a B15 goal is appropriate. Keep reading! Each year, the Executive Office for Administration and Finance and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) must set minimum percentage requirements for E85 use in state flexible fuel vehicles, depending on the availability of the fuel in the state. Diversity factor is an important factor determining the correct gas piping size to be used for supplying domestic ranges in multiple family dwellings; it applies to domestic ranges only and shall not apply to any other gas appliances. The manufacturer will specify where and when shutoff valves will need to be required. Flexible connectors are allowed to be used to connect appliances to gas pipelines. Casetext, Inc. and Casetext are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice. For 15 years our company has published content with clear steps to accomplish the how, with high quality sourcing to answer the why, and with original formats to make the internet a helpful place. She holds a B.A. How many turns past finger tight or snug do compression fittings need to go, what's a reasonable range (I know, don't overtighten, but I don't want the things coming apart!)? What is this material? d) A flexible appliance connector shall not be used on gas pressure in excess of V2 pound per square inch gauge (P.S.i.G.). However, new homes with CSST require electrical bonding or grounding to protect against lightning strikes. Plumbers and homeowners will need to follow the manufacturer's requirements and they should not bend the CSST too far. That includes the Chapter 24, which sets out requirements for the installation and operation of gas piping systems to residential buildings. And that's why I wanted to create this guide, to educate homeowners on the potential hazards of flexible gas lines and to bring them up on current code. The list below contains summaries of all Massachusetts laws and incentives related to ethanol. #3. It must also be recommended for that use by the manufacturer (so no after-market repurposing is allowed). General Law - Part I, Title XX, Chapter 148, Section 25E An official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, This page, Policies, Regulations, and Statutes for Plumbers and Gas Fitters, is, Policies, Regulations, and Statutes for Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Virtually all state and local code authorities permit its use and many contractors are finally embracing it. The feedback will only be used for improving the website. Additional terms and conditions apply. However, newer CSST (usually black jacketed, not yellow) has an arc-resistant jacket that is already considered bonded when installed to a grounded appliance such as a furnace. All of the gas lines that feed each appliance start at a central distribution point or manifold. 21. Flex lines are all the gas company will use for new connections other than the rigid pipe going up to meters. Make your practice more effective and efficient with Casetexts legal research suite.
