running a gas line for an outdoor BBQ
#1
running a gas line for an outdoor BBQ
I want to run a natural gas line from inside the basement to an out door grill.
I have a capped off 3/8" tee in the house. The run will be aprox 30 feet total. 18 feet in the house and 12 feet outside the house under a deck and about 2 feet off the ground. My questions are
1) Is 3/8" gas pipe large enough.
2) Do I use the black pipe? If so will it rust?
If not is there a pipe made for exposure?
3) Should a shutoff in the basement on the grill line be enough or does it have to be outside?
4) Anything else I should be aware of?
I have a capped off 3/8" tee in the house. The run will be aprox 30 feet total. 18 feet in the house and 12 feet outside the house under a deck and about 2 feet off the ground. My questions are
1) Is 3/8" gas pipe large enough.
2) Do I use the black pipe? If so will it rust?
If not is there a pipe made for exposure?
3) Should a shutoff in the basement on the grill line be enough or does it have to be outside?
4) Anything else I should be aware of?
#3
Re: running a gas line for an outdoor BBQ
Originally posted by bluenooj
My questions are
1) Is 3/8" gas pipe large enough.
2) Do I use the black pipe? If so will it rust?
If not is there a pipe made for exposure?
3) Should a shutoff in the basement on the grill line be enough or does it have to be outside?
4) Anything else I should be aware of?
My questions are
1) Is 3/8" gas pipe large enough.
2) Do I use the black pipe? If so will it rust?
If not is there a pipe made for exposure?
3) Should a shutoff in the basement on the grill line be enough or does it have to be outside?
4) Anything else I should be aware of?
I'm not Tom...but I'm giving my 9 cents worth anyway ( darn Canadian dollar )
The "T" branch should really be inspected by a gas fitter for sizing and BTU rating...it must carry gas for somethign else up to that point and adding a BBQ will increase the demand on that line...the gas fitter would do a length, BTU, fitting, demand calculation to make sure the line can be used or should a whole new line be installed.
Black pipe will rust...we use coated copper ( Tom hates copper tubing ) that is specially made for outdoors and under ground. Black pipe is usually ok to use outdoors ( again, check local codes ) and usually is painted yellow.
3/8" for a BBQ with nothing else on that line may be ok...most that we run are 1/2"
Shut off down stairs with a tag usually is enough...but local codes may/will differ from place to place, state to state, etc.
A NG BBQ is great!!...no tanks to run out
Hope something in this jibber/jabber helps...
jeff.
#4
The guy from my gas company was very helpful and informative regarding my BBQ hookup. Here are some of his pointers:
No matter if you use pipe or tubing, paint it.
Tape the pipe wherever it enters or exits the ground - moisture accumulates at ground level.
Make sure your grill is rated for Natural Gas!
If you use tape on the threads, make sure the tape is rated for use on gas lines {the yellow stuff}
Hope this helps
No matter if you use pipe or tubing, paint it.
Tape the pipe wherever it enters or exits the ground - moisture accumulates at ground level.
Make sure your grill is rated for Natural Gas!
If you use tape on the threads, make sure the tape is rated for use on gas lines {the yellow stuff}
Hope this helps
#5
I really do not like to see these types of postings for natural gas. Plumbing is one thing, gas work is another.
Above posts all have very good points.
Before you do anything, check with a local inspector and see if you can even do this legally. If no inspector because you live in a area not covered by codes, contact you home owner's insurance company and have a talk with him about explosions and if coverage applies.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, and yes it could be worse, we could be discussing the merits of shoring in trenches....
Above posts all have very good points.
Before you do anything, check with a local inspector and see if you can even do this legally. If no inspector because you live in a area not covered by codes, contact you home owner's insurance company and have a talk with him about explosions and if coverage applies.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, and yes it could be worse, we could be discussing the merits of shoring in trenches....
#6
Join Date: Feb 1998
Location: The Shake and Bake State USA
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My Two Cents Worth
Hello: bluenooj
I have been asked to post a reply to your question. I am happy to know others have trust in my abilities in the field of natural gas. However, my abilities are in gas appliance service. I am not a licensed plumber and do not specialized in the field of plumbing or running gas lines.
Jeff1 has offered you about all the info I could have. Thanks Jeff.
In my opinion and in code in many parts of this country, the only copper that should be used with natural gas is copper pipe that is internally tin lined copper. Natural gas contain chemicals and trace amounts of sulfur which corrodes copper.
3/8 inch pipe is much too small for that length of footage run. I do not know of any 3/8 inch steel pipe used for indoor piping. The 3/4 inch diameter steel pipe is used only for short distances. Main line internal house piping is usually, depending upon many other factors, no less than 1 inch.
External located above ground black iron pipe can be painted to prevent rust. Underhouse it can be left as is. It can not be directly buried underground. It will corrode much too fast.
There should be 2 shutoff valves. One at the start of the run under the house or in the basement. Another one outside close to the BBQ or it should be the last fitting on the pipe before the flexline to the BBQ.
Pipe tape can be used on the pipe or pipe thread compound.
Cushion the pipe where it goes thru the hole in the wall. No pipe should touch ground anywhere. Do not use any type of plastic or pcv gasline above ground. YES! That's PCV and not PVC. The 2 are NOT the same plastics.
Before you attempt any project such as this, always check with the building and safety codes in your area. Do all work to code and have it inspected and pressure test before gasing it up. Failure to do the project correctly could endanger life and property and void any homeowners insurance you may have.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart........"Fast, Fair, Friendly & Highly Proficient"......
TCB4U2B2B.....Company Enterprises.
Energy Conservation Consulting Services & Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics and Technician Services.
I have been asked to post a reply to your question. I am happy to know others have trust in my abilities in the field of natural gas. However, my abilities are in gas appliance service. I am not a licensed plumber and do not specialized in the field of plumbing or running gas lines.
Jeff1 has offered you about all the info I could have. Thanks Jeff.
In my opinion and in code in many parts of this country, the only copper that should be used with natural gas is copper pipe that is internally tin lined copper. Natural gas contain chemicals and trace amounts of sulfur which corrodes copper.
3/8 inch pipe is much too small for that length of footage run. I do not know of any 3/8 inch steel pipe used for indoor piping. The 3/4 inch diameter steel pipe is used only for short distances. Main line internal house piping is usually, depending upon many other factors, no less than 1 inch.
External located above ground black iron pipe can be painted to prevent rust. Underhouse it can be left as is. It can not be directly buried underground. It will corrode much too fast.
There should be 2 shutoff valves. One at the start of the run under the house or in the basement. Another one outside close to the BBQ or it should be the last fitting on the pipe before the flexline to the BBQ.
Pipe tape can be used on the pipe or pipe thread compound.
Cushion the pipe where it goes thru the hole in the wall. No pipe should touch ground anywhere. Do not use any type of plastic or pcv gasline above ground. YES! That's PCV and not PVC. The 2 are NOT the same plastics.
Before you attempt any project such as this, always check with the building and safety codes in your area. Do all work to code and have it inspected and pressure test before gasing it up. Failure to do the project correctly could endanger life and property and void any homeowners insurance you may have.
Regards & Good Luck
Gas Appliances Forum Moderator
Tom_Bart........"Fast, Fair, Friendly & Highly Proficient"......
TCB4U2B2B.....Company Enterprises.
Energy Conservation Consulting Services & Gas Appliance Problem Diagnostics and Technician Services.