Gas connections for your oven or dryer are really pretty simple — it’s mostly a matter of screwing stuff together. But knowing which fittings to use where can be tricky, and using the wrong ones can lead to a dangerous leak. This article will show you how to safely connect a gas dryer hookup or gas range.
Kits containing a flexible stainless steel gas line and fittings are available at home centers and hardware stores. The kits usually have everything you’ll need, but in some cases, you may have to buy a few more fittings. But before you start, check with your local building inspections department to see if you’re allowed to do your own gas dryer hookup.
We’ll show you three common gas piping scenarios. We’ll show you one way to make each connection, but there are other equally legitimate ways using common plumbing parts. Don’t be confused by the labels FIP and MIP; they simply stand for female pipe threads and male pipe threads, respectively. And when you buy the parts, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Then screw all the gas line parts together to make sure they fit.
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Gas line fittings Author: nicksab (CA) I am getting conflicting information regarding gas line run in concealed location.
Can black pipe fitting be used in concealed location? I am about to have the garage drywalled up which will concealed some of the gas line including elbows,tees and couplings.
I am California and under CBC.
THANK YOU
That may be the ONLY thing you can use in that situation.
You cannot conceal unions if you are using black steel gas pipe.
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L. Sanders SR
AFTER PASSING PRESSURE TEST you may, indeed SHOULD, use 'black steel' piping for gas inside walls
EXCEPT unions
If a union is necessary a 'left-right' nipple and 'left-right' coupling is used instead.
NO UNIONS INSIDE A WALL ON GAS PIPING
ps. black steel pipe with malleable fittings (no cast fittings) is the 'material of choice' for gas
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
Agree 100% Bern
- - - - -
L. Sanders SR
How do you tell the difference between malleable and cast fittings?
Is the stuff sold at big box stores cast or malleable?
the wall thickness of cast iron fittings is much larger..
I believe big box stuff is all cast.
- - - - - - -
Not a plumber by trade but a fierce DIYer
Big box stores would not know what "cast iron fittings" were even if they fell through the roof.
cast fittings are porous by nature and (much more) prone to 'pin holing' because they are actually cast
IMO: one does NOT want ANY material from a 'big box' store when installing gas piping
quality control issues
mislabeling
ignorant 'sales reps'
mis/rough handling of material
the list goes on and on and on
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
I was just looking at big orange's website. It appears most of their stuff is listed malleable. Some stuff says black iron and then says malleable in the description. Some just says black iron.
I never noticed it before.
That's what I love about this website.
As a diyer I find not knowing the answer is no big deal. Not knowing the question can be dangerous.
Thank you all for the replies. Concealing the gas line will be fine since I only have elbows, tees and coupling. NO unions whatsoever.
In regards to couplings beung concealed, how can you tell the difference between a "regular" coupling anda L-R couplings once installed? Is there some kind of special marking on it?
I am planning on getting it pressure tested again before closing everything up. Can a pressure test be done with the line connected to meter and "earthquake shut off"? 15 psi seems a bit much or is it the norm?
5 PSI for a gas pressure test..
a L-R coupling has 4 raised lines running from end to end.
CA Plumbing Code states no less than 10PSI for at least 15 minutes with no perceptible drop in pressure. The LR nipples and couplings I've used have a knurled finish on the left hand end.
[www.plumbingsupply.com]
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
I do believe l/r couplings are illegal on Gas in Massachusetts.
they weren't in 1974 when i took my exam..
black iron IS "malleable". IF you were to see a "cast iron" fitting, you would see the difference IMMEDIATELY.
They should be MORE "legal" than a buried union. Assuming you know HOW to install them properly. NOT knowing that could make them illegal.
Edited 1 times.
Thank you all for the infos
L-r coupling cannot be concealed where I am at. That s why asking for the visual difference between the 2 type of couplings.
In that case there is no way you can repair a damaged gas line in the wall.
Local code amendment doesn't allow L/R connection? CA Code specifically states they're allowed. 2016 CPC 1210.3.1.
hj..."In that case there is no way you can repair a damaged gas line in the wall."..
well, if you can not use a union nor a L/R coupling, then you have to use CSST ????
I understand everyone point here but Unless I am reading it wrong, L-R couplings are not allowed to be concealed. I believe they are allowed for repair though. Just not on new line installation
1211.3.2 Connections. Where gas piping is to
be concealed, unions, tubing fittings, right and
left couplings, bushings, swing joints, and
compression couplings made by combinations of
fittings shall not be used. Connections shall be of
the following type: [NFPA 54: 7.3.2]
(1) Pipe fittings such as elbows, tees, and
couplings.
(2) Joining tubing by brazing (see Section 1209.5.8.2).
(3) Fittings listed for use in concealed spaces
that have been demonstrated to sustain,
without leakage, any forces due to
temperature expansion or contraction,
vibration, or fatigue based on their
geographic location, application, or operation.
(4) Where necessary to insert fittings in gas pipe
that has been installed in a concealed
location, the pipe shall be reconnected by
welding, flanges, or the use of a ground joint
union with the nut center-punched to
prevent loosening by vibration.
What code year are you looking at? In the 2016 CPC, Section 1211 is Electrical Bonding and Grounding.
1210.3 Concealed Piping in Buildings
Gas piping in concealed locations shall be installed in accordance with this section. [NFPA 54:7.3.1]
1210.3.1 Connections
Where gas piping is to be concealed, connections shall be of the following type:
(1) Pipe fittings such as elbows, tees, couplings, and right/left nipple/couplings.
(2) Joining tubing by brazing (see Section 1208.5.8.2).
(3)Fittings listed for use in concealed spaces or that have been demonstrated to sustain, without leakage, forces due to temperature expansion or contraction, vibration, or fatigue based on their geographic location, application, or operation.
(4)Where necessary to insert fittings in gas pipe that has been installed in a concealed location, the pipe shall be reconnected by welding, flanges, or the use of a right/left nipple/coupling.
Edited 1 times.
I was looking at the 2013 CPC as called up on the architect plans.
Wow I guess that whole section was changed. Thank you Steve for clearing this up. My bad, It looks like I was stressing over nothing then since 2016 CPC has been adopted already.
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