Gas Line Capacity Check

Hello

Looking for some feedback and assistance. Here is the background. I am looking to add a dryer, (house has piping for one but know it isn't the correct material, from another thread.

- The house has main line off the meter of 1 inch black pipe
- The furthest appliance in piped distance is a dryer which will use 22k BTU
- Also on this run is a cook top 41K BTU
- And a furnace which draws 130K BTU

I have read the schedule 402.4(2) but would like to understand how to use it. Based on my distance of 46 feet the 50ft length row is used?...but then it seems confusing to me.



My questions are.

- I want to verify the gas furnace BTU, photo of data plate attached

- Can a gas fireplace rated for 55K BTU be added and what would be the recommended branch pipe diameter need to be?

- Can a gas grill somewhere between 65K - 70K BTU be added and what would be the recommended pipe diameter need to be?

http://s272.photobucket.com/user/tek...ary/Gas%20Line

 

The furnace is 130k btu..

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Im studying the drawing...

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@ 50 ft a 1" line can support about 285k btu..

Furnace 130k
Cooktop 41K
Dryer 22k

= 193k btu

Once in the 50ft column you must stay in that colum using the longest length method.

How long does the 1" pipe run to? All the way to the dryer?

 

Correct, the 1 inch goes all the way to the dryer "branch" then makes the 90 degree turn and drops to 1/2 inch pipe for 10 feet.

 

1" will not support what you intend to add.. You would need to run 1 1/4 pipe from the meter to the first appliance that you are adding.. I did a quick calc and will give you more detailed info if needed..

 

Hi

I would be interested in the more detailed information.

One other question that I have pertains to the meter. If I recall correctly, I think the gas line that comes off the meter into the house is 1 inch....so does the meter need to be changed out too? or does a 1 1/4 pipe get fitted onto the 1 inch pipe off the meter

 

Go out side and read your meters CFH off the name plate.. Let me know.. More often then not meter is fine..




Yes you would need to run 1 1/4 from the meter to the first appliance which is your new fireplace..

Total home btu 318 with new appliances...

@ 50 feet 1 1/4 supports 580k btu. ( 1" too small even though close @ 285K btu)

580k - 55 k fireplace = 525k btu.
( 263k btu left on remaining applances . Looking on the chart @ 50 ft now 1" will support the rest of the home because the chart says 285k. Your remaining btu is below that)

No need to go any further because you can keep all the rest of the piping intact... So after you run
1 1/4 from meter to the fireplace tee, 1 1/4 x 1 x 1/2 tee , You then continue with whats already in place...



No lets show why 1" will not work...


Total home btu 318 btu with new appliances...

@ 50 feet 1 " supports 285k btu.

285 -55 (fireplace) = 230k btu ( But you have 263k remaining appliances so you dont have enough gas)

Hope you understand this...

 

I do understand this. Thank you for taking the time to explain it. I will check the meter this weekend.

One thing that I do want to understand though is the meter is set up for 1" on house side, how does a 1 1/4 inch pipe get attached to the one inch outlet? Is there a one inch nipple of the meter then one of these?

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Ward-FB90...Elbow-623000-p

or

FBCO1-1/4X1 - Ward FBCO1-1/4X1 - 1-1/4" x 1" Black Coupling

 

We use galvinized here in NJ.. So we would change whatever ellbow you have there now with the one from supplyhouse that you linked too.

Then you will need to unthread that whole pipe that runs in the home from the furnace tee.. Then you will need to work backwards back toward the meter. Adding a tee for your fireplace..

As for adding tee for the bbq you will need to cut that line out between the stove and the dryer. Cut pipe to fit, add your tee and of course a union. That would be the easiest way to do it.

 

Hi here is the plate that is on the meter.

 

Its a 250k meter.. you have 320k or so btu.. The meter will be fine IMO, and from what I know, but your best off asking the gas company if you require an upgrade...