Gas line measurement

2510Paul · Feb 5, 2019

So what size natural gas line would you call this? It was yellow before I painted it, it has a slight ribing to it and it can be flexed by hand. I measure 3/4? O.D. so the I.D. has to be pretty close to 1/2?. Thanks. Paul

FBH44 · Feb 5, 2019

Go by any hardware store or lumber yard and see what the label / designation on that size is.

kcm.MN · Feb 5, 2019

Gas lines are normally measured by ID. Not sure about the flexible stuff, but I'd think ID for that also.

4520BW · Feb 5, 2019

The valve should have the size on it or measure the steel pipe, half in will be about 3/4 OD.

jm. · Feb 5, 2019

They call the piece coming up out of the ground the Riser and it is gas line specific. Supposed to be where something cannot damage it. As to size of yours looks like 3/4 to me. I know the two risers, one on each end of the underground line were expensive. I used the yellow gas line plastic underground but had to have those risers at each end.

john in la · Feb 5, 2019

The big question is why did you paint it??
It was yellow for a reason.
And yes 1/2 inch is about .625 od.

Steve@Advance · Feb 5, 2019

The one you are measuring is 1/2".

What is that to the left, the blue one? That looks more like gas. It's 3/4".

Bob Bancroft · Feb 5, 2019

Oh no. Now we'll have to add a gas division to the YTDOT and Electrical Inspection offices!
The ribbed part you painted looks like what they call a "whip", and was used to hook up my stove, so it would flex when you push the stove into place. Pretty light duty stuff. Can't imagine it was intended for exposed use as you show, right next to the "riser", which is quite rugged.

Olliejunkie · Feb 5, 2019

Since code has come into question is that water pipe used for electrical conduit?

2510Paul · Feb 5, 2019

The one going to the house has no riser on either end. The one to the shed does.

The pipe outdoors to the house is 68' long, then there is about another 20' of 3/4" steel.

I just noticed that one of the tables Steve@Advance referenced showed 0.622" I.D. for a 1/2" Natural Gas line. That would be very close to mine, if not exact. This table was setup for 2 PSI or less at the inlet. I am at 2 PSI per the Gas Company.

If I have this all right I can only support 50-55,000 BTU/hr., I need 80,000. So, I am under sized.

If anyone thinks I did this wrong let me know. Looks like a summer project. I am confirming with the Gas Company.

Lucky I have a backhoe on my Compact Tractor. This lead to a tractor project after all.

Thanks.

Paul

2510Paul · Feb 5, 2019

The one to the left with the red valve handle goes to the shed and as you can see has a riser. Thanks Steve. Paul

2510Paul · Feb 5, 2019

If your referring to the elbow coming out of the house and down into the ground, that is electrical conduit. Paul

2510Paul · Feb 5, 2019

Sorry Bob. Ya, I got a little carried away here but I was getting some very good input that I believe has lead me in a good direction.

I will be getting the backhoe onto my JD 3320 Compact Tractor.

Paul

2510Paul · Feb 5, 2019

That white part does look suspect if that is what you are referring to.

Paul

Mexico46958 · Feb 5, 2019

Looks like corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST). Not for use in underground application. For use inside to eliminate elbows, in walls, for appliances. Typically off a manifold at 2 PSI in new construction.

Olliejunkie · Feb 5, 2019

(quoted from post at 11:52:30 02/05/19) That white part does look suspect if that is what you are referring to. Paul

Yes. That is what I was referring to.

MarkB_MI · Feb 5, 2019

> If I have this all right I can only support 50-55,000 BTU/hr., I need 80,000. So, I am under sized.

> If anyone thinks I did this wrong let me know. Looks like a summer project. I am confirming with the Gas Company.

Your gas company may be willing to provide you with a prefabricated plastic line approved for direct burial. You can ask them when you talk to them.

M-MAN · Feb 5, 2019

If you look at the charts your 1/2 in line is fine for a short distance. What you need is the distance from the 3/4 line to the furnace to know if you are undersized.

Roger Tomfohrde · Feb 5, 2019

OK tell me if I am correct. The 1/2 inch line comes from the meter 68 feet to the manifold by the furnace where there is a pressure regulator. If I am correct there could be 2 psi to the regulator by the furnace and then drop down to 16 inches or a tad less for the equipment serviced by the regulator. Most furnace gas valves will lock out over 16. Two psi on 1/2 inch line is good for 290 k btu on 60 feet..Even so the line should have been up sized. Two things I see in your pictures, One is there is no grounding conductor on the line(Lightning prevention) and yellow csst is not approved for direct burial, they make a product for that. Easiest thing to do here is to get a gauge and check pressure of the line before and after the last regulator which will tell you what you really have. The second thing to do is to clock the meter with a watch and see how many units you are using. There is you tube videos on how to do it and my book is 40 miles away right now. I used to carry fittings to be able to do this. The best story I have is some one changed a gas line on a furnace and then said our piping was too small. Well I found they had a flap of plastic on the inlet of the black iron elbow still there blocking the flow of gas.

2510Paul · Feb 6, 2019

Hi Roger. I can tell you really know this stuff. I have a detached garage and the meter/regulator is behind the garage. The Gas Company told me they regulate in WI to 2 PSI beyond the meter. It is 68' from the meter to the house, 1/2 inch of that csst (I think from what has been said on this post). At the house it is connected to 3/4" steel pipe and goes inside for about 15-20' to the furnace.

Yesterday I talked to the Owner of the Dealership, he is coming today. But he pointed out the 2 PSI has to be regulated down at the furnace to 3-5" W.C. and there should another regulator. Yup, there it was up in the floor joists kinda partially tucked above one of the ducts. I never saw it. So I have the right guy coming today.

Yes, we will have discussion about the 1/2" but he is not the one that gave it to me to bury. A prior dealer gave me that 1/2" pipe to bury when I switched to Natural Gas. That prior dealer did all the terminations at both ends. I depended on him to know what he was doing.

The saga continues but at least my furnace has not tripped out since the Stupid Cold (one weather forecasters term) weather left. I keep leaning and now the Owner of the Dealership I currently work with can come and inspect.

Paul

showcrop · Feb 6, 2019

(quoted from post at 12:02:47 02/05/19) Looks like corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST). Not for use in underground application. For use inside to eliminate elbows, in walls, for appliances. Typically off a manifold at 2 PSI in new construction.

Yup Mexico, looks like it but it is not.

Gas line measurement

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