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Gas piping, Gas line leak testing, Purging – State SBN85 390NE A User Manual

Page 23: Gas piping gas line leak testing purging, Fire and explosion hazard

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23

gas piping

Contact your local gas service company to ensure that adequate

gas service is available and to review applicable installation codes

for your area.
Size the main gas line in accordance with Table 8. The figures shown

are for straight lengths of pipe at 0.5 in. W.C. pressure drop, which is

considered normal for low pressure systems. Note: Fittings such as

elbows, tees and line regulators will add to the pipe pressure drop.

Also refer to the latest version of the National Fuel Gas Code.
Schedule 40 Steel or Wrought Iron Pipe is the preferred material

for the gas line of this water heater. It is imperative to follow the

sizing recommendations in the latest version of the National Fuel

Gas Code if Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) is used as

the gas line for this water heater.
The heater is not intended for operation at higher than 14.0" W.C.- natural

gas, (1/2 pound per square inch gage) supply gas pressure. exposure

to higher supply pressure may cause damage to the gas valve which

could result in fire or explosion. If overpressure has occurred such as

through improper testing of gas lines or emergency malfunction of the

supply system, the gas valve must be checked for safe operation. Make

sure that the outside vents on the supply regulators and the safety vent

valves are protected against blockage. These are parts of the gas supply

system, not the heater. Vent blockage may occur during ice storms.

taBle 8 - gas supply pipe lengths (in feet)

maximum equivalent pipe length - natural gas only

Input rate

(BTU/hr)

Schedule 40 Steel or Wrought Iron Pipe

1/2"

3/4"

1"

1 1/4"

1 1/2"

120,000

20

70

200

200

200

154,000

10

40

150

200

200

180,000

-

30

100

200

200

199,000

-

30

90

200

200

250,000

-

20

60

200

200

275,000

-

10

50

200

200

310,000

-

10

40

150

200

366,000

-

-

30

100

200

390,000

-

-

20

100

200

Fitting Type*

equivalent length in feet

45°ell

0.7

1.0

1.2

1.6

1.9

90°ell

1.6

2.1

2.6

3.5

4.0

Tee

3.1

4.1

5.2

6.9

8.0

Natural Gas 0.60 Specific Gravity, 0.50" W.C. Pressure Drop

*Screwed Fittings

It is important to guard against gas valve fouling from contaminants

in the gas ways. Such fouling may cause improper operation, fire or

explosion.
If copper supply lines are used they must be internally tinned and

certified for gas service. Before attaching the gas line, be sure that

all gas pipe is clean on the inside.
To trap any dirt or foreign material in the gas supply line, a sediment

trap must be incorporated in the piping (see Figure 21). The sediment

trap must be readily accessible and not subject to freezing conditions.

Install in accordance with recommendations of serving gas suppliers.

refer to the latest version of the National Fuel Gas Code.
To prevent damage, care must be taken not to apply too much torque

when attaching gas supply pipe to gas valve inlet.
Apply joint compounds (pipe dope) sparingly and only to the male

threads of pipe joints. Do not apply compounds to the first two threads.

Use compounds resistant to the action of liquefied petroleum gases.

gas meter size – natural gases only

Be sure the gas meter has sufficient capacity to supply the full rated

gas input of the water heater as well as the requirements of all

other gas fired equipment supplied by the meter. If gas meter is

too small, ask the gas company to install a larger meter having

adequate capacity.

supply gas regulator

The minimum gas supply pressure must not be less than 5.2" w.c.

(0.87 kPa).
Do not subject the gas valve to inlet gas pressures of more than

14.0” W.C. (3.48 kPa). A supply gas regulator is necessary if higher

gas pressures are encountered. See Gas Pressure requirements

and Supply Gas regulator sections on page 12.
1. Supply gas regulators must be rated above the input Btu/hr rating

of the water heater they supply.

2. Supply gas regulators shall have inlet and outlet connections not

less than the minimum supply gas line size for the water heater

they supply. See Table 8. on page 23.

gas piping and sediment trap installation

figure 21.

gas line leak testing

Fire and Explosion Hazard

Leak test before placing the water

heater in operation.
Disconnect gas piping and main gas

shutoff valve before leak testing.
Install sediment trap in accordance

with NFPA 54.

Use joint compound or Teflon tape

compatible with propane gas.

Any time work is done on the gas supply system perform a leak test

to avoid the possibility of fire or explosion.
1. For test pressures exceeding 1/2 psi (3.45 kPa) disconnect the

water heater and its Main Gas Shutoff Valve from the gas supply

piping system during testing, see Figure 21. The gas supply line

must be capped when disconnected from the water heater.

2. For test pressures of 1/2 psi (3.45 kpa) or less, the appliance need

not be disconnected, but must be isolated from the supply gas line

by closing the Main Gas Shutoff Valve during testing.

3. Coat all supply gas line joints and connections upstream of the

water heater with a non-corrosive soap and water solution to

test for leaks. Bubbles indicate a gas leak. Do not use matches,

candles, flame or other sources of ignition for this purpose.

4. repair any leaks before placing the water heater in operation.

purging

Gas line purging is required with new piping or systems in which air

has entered.
Purging should be performed per the current edition of NFPA 54 the

National Fuel Gas Code.