Gas Piping Inspection

Gas piping in residential applications is typically black steel. Galvanized steel can be used, however, it is more expensive and not necessary. Seamless steel, copper and aluminum alloy tubing are allowed with gases are not corrosive to the piping materials.

Aluminum alloy tubing is not to be used on the exterior or underground. Corrugated stainless steel tubing should comply with performance requirements of Standard Fuel Piping Systems.

Plastic pipe, tubing and fittings are for underground use only and should conform to Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Gas Pressure Pipe and Fittings. Piping should be marked “gas” and “ASTM D 2513.”

Interior gas piping should not be installed through a circulating air duct, clothes chute or gas vent, ventilating duct, and dumbwaiter or elevator shaft.

The above ground portion of the gas piping system, upstream from the equipment shutoff should be bonded to a grounding electrode. The gas piping is not to be used as a grounding electrode.

Home inspectors do not check gas pressure, however, testing should not be more than 1 ½ times the maximum working pressure and not less than 3 psig for 10 minutes.

Unvented room heaters are not to be installed in bathrooms or bedrooms. But if the unit is smaller than 6000 BTUs and has an oxygen depletion safety valve, it can be installed in a bathroom. Equipment that does not require venting should be listed and in some cases marked.