Replies

1. 
   DavidThomas | May 25, 2004 06:21pm | #1

   In some areas, natural gas has enough sulfur compounds to react with the copper.  Check with the building inspector, some local codes allow copper tubing (and presumably only in areas where this is not a problem).

   Also, black iron resists a nail strike or screw A LOT better than soft copper.  A nail strike in copper can hold pressure for a long time but if the walls shift, etc, then you've got a gas leak.

   Often galvanized is allowed also, but black iron is preferred because there is no zinc coating on the inside to flake off and travel downstream.  Flakes hopefully are caught in a drip leg.  But if not, they can clog a burner.  Worse, they can block a solenoid from fully closing and cause a leak or over-temp condition.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
1. 
   davidmeiland | May 25, 2004 06:40pm | #2

   Copper is allowed here for propane lines, but ditto what David said about the permanence of the material--you can demo it with a pair of side cutters and your bare hands. Black pipe requires a sawzall and a bunch of elbow grease.

2. 
   remodelerdw | May 26, 2004 05:44am | #5

   >black iron resists a nail strike or screw A LOT better than soft copper

   yellow-jacketed csst (corrugated stainless steel tubing) is preferred here for retro gas installs.  Black IP is gong the way of plasterers here, particularly the threading machinery is pretty available used from plumbing outfits.

   Nail strikes are essential with the stuff.

   remodeler

2. 
   mike4244 | May 25, 2004 09:04pm | #3

   In my area soft copper is sometimes used in underground installations, but it is a special tubing not regular soft copper tubing. Most underground installations here are in a type of plastic . Either black iron or galvanized is used in inside.

   mike

1. 
   FastEddie1 | May 26, 2004 02:15am | #4

   My plumber used copper tubing for the propane service at the ranch.  Actually, he used copper underground from the tank to the outside wall, then black pipe inside the house.

   Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt