FAQs about gasas piping in buildings for natural gas, LP gas, or propane distribution.

In this article series on gas piping we provide descriptions and photographs of unsafe gas piping, indications of unsafe or improperly operating gas appliances, gas meters, and other gas installation defects are provided.

FAQs on LP Gas or Natural Gas Fuel Piping Defects

These questions & answers about problems in LPG or Natural gas piping were posted originally at GAS PIPING CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS - we recommend that you check out that defect list.

Safety Warnings for Gas Leaks

Immediate LP or natural gas safety hazards: if there is evidence of an LP or natural gas leak at a building, gas odors, for example, you should:

• Do not do anything that is likely to cause a gas explosion, such as lighting a match, operating an electrical switch, or even using a telephone in the building
• Leave the building immediately and keep a safe distance away - 100 feet or more.
• Notify other building occupants of the safety concern
• Contact the local gas company and/or fire department

Heating equipment which the inspector (or building occupant or manager) judges to be an immediate life safety hazard should be shut down and appropriate emergency services called.

See GAS LEAK DETECTION, LP / NG for leak detection procedures and alternatives.

On 2012-07-29 by (mod) -

Pat a leaking gas line is an IMMEDIATE SAFETY HAZARD - that is not something to delay for shopping around, unless you have someone first TURN OFF THE GAS SUPPLY - you should not even be in the house.
A spark from a telephone or a light switch can cause an explosion.

Once the dust settles, you may find a source of financial aid through your local senior citizens association, health department, better business bureau, special programs such as the Christmas in April Association, or even just asking the plumber for a break.

On 2012-07-23 by Pat C

Is there financial help to repair a leaking gas line for disabled seniors?

On 2012-05-07 06:26:33.971870 by randy

is there any provision that states the minimum distance of LP-gas pipe from any source of heat?

On 2012-01-10 by Duane

I think the below Safety Warning has a mis-print. Why would gas be supplied to an electric clothes dryer?

Safety warning. Flexible soft copper piping defect example: if flexible soft copper tubing has been used to supply municipal (natural) gas to a electric clothes dryer, hot water heater, or heating system, this is not a recommended installation and it may be prohibited by local codes - "black iron" steel piping is required in many jurisdictions

On 2012-01-08 by (mod) -

Gary, there are no cast iron gas pipes; cast iron piping is used for plumbing drains.

If you are referring to black iron pipe (more properly called black carbon steel or "steel gas piping" commonly used for low pressure gas piping, I have indeed found leaky gas piping at old properties where that material was used, but the leaks occurred outside due to corrosion, or inside due to (usually faulty connections).

Indeed steel gas piping passing through or in contact with quickset additives or cinder aggregates is exposed to extra corrosive effects - and piping should not be embedded in those materials without an approved protectiion.

Underground piping is treated with a protective coating.
Check the National Fuel Gas Code (AGA or NFPA) and see [NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.14] [NFPA 58] for requirements for low pressure gas piping.

On 2012-01-07 by Gary

If a cast iron gas line is going thru a cement wall what is the serverity if the gas line isn't protected with some kind of cover?.

...

Continue reading  at GAS PIPING CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Gas Piping Articles

• GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS - home
• FLARE FITTINGS
• FLEXIBLE GAS CONNECTOR INSTALL
• GAS CONNECTOR for BBQ GRILL
• GAS PIPING CLOG REPAIR
• GAS PIPING CLEARANCES, CODES & DEFECTS
• GAS PIPING, FLEXIBLE CSST
• GAS PIPING SIZE & MATERIAL
• GAS LEAK DETECTION, LP / NG
• GAS PRESSURES LP vs NATURAL GAS

Suggested citation for this web page

GAS PIPING DEFECT FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to GAS APPLIANCES, PIPING, CONTROLS

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Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

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