Have propane for dual fuel heat pump. Fed from tank to furnace through copper line, about 1/2 inch dia. Penetrates wall of house into attic, crosses attic thence down into mechanical room to furnace.
Modifying wall immediately below wall penetration by bumping out a large window about 2 feet. Necessary to also push out wall where gas line penetrates, leaving gas crossing an unventilated, inaccessible cavity about 2 ft wide, 2 ft high & 15 ft long.
Does code address that sort of situation? Any restrictions? Do I need to ventilate that volume? Put in an access panel of some sort?
Don
Don Reinhard
The Glass Masterworks
“If it scratches, I etch it!”
The Glass Masterworks
“If it scratches, I etch it!”
Replies
Not a gas expert, but still have a potentially sill question.
Why does the gas line come up from the tank to the attic and then back down? Why not through crawlspace or basement?
Or is this house on a slab?
Jim
Whooooopseeee! Didn't specify that part. House on a slab. Propane tank about 35 ft out in yard. Only access to mechanical room is via attic space. Gas line is about 6 inches down; runs to corner of house where A/C compressor is, then up the corner board to under eaves then runs in a bundle w/ A/C tubing to wall penetration. A/C guys were sloppy - twisted the three tubes around like a rope. While I'm up there & at it, gonna straighten them out so it isn't a ratty mess.I can conceive of this being some sort of special situation - a leak in that closed area would mean collecting a large volume of gas, followed by a wicked explosion that would take my roof off. Walls are reinforced concrete via ICF's, so they would merely act as a cannon barrel for the roof. Wonder where the remnants would land?DonDon Reinhard
The Glass Masterworks
"If it scratches, I etch it!"
>>Wonder where the remnants would land?<<
Probably not all that far away - straight up and straight down.;^)
I think you have a legitimate concern, but I won't pretend to know the safe answer.
Propane is heavier than air, right?
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Nah, nat gas tends to take the roof off, propane takes out the walls.
O!
All bets off concerning final location of post-explosion, pieces parts.
JimNever underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Gas line is run thru inaccessible space all the time. On current job we are running CSST thru walls and ceilings. There are no fittings inaccessible. If you have a question about what is permitted in your jurisdiction I would ask the inspector.
Hi Don,
Does code address that sort of situation? Any restrictions? Do I need to ventilate that volume? Put in an access panel of some sort?
I can't find anything on code.....I'm poorly guessing that this is like covering up plumbing.
My 2 cents worth.....in my house, I ran the heavy black iron gas line pipe and pressure tested it with air two weeks at 115 psi. No leaks and since lp is typically only 2psig at the second regulator output...this puts me in a 100+ safety range. With this heavy of a pipe and such a high pressure pass of testing, I have no concern about future potential leaks so I'd cover this in a heartbeat and sleep peacefully.
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