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NOTE: Al’s Plumbing Does Not Perform CSST Gas Lines Bonding.
TIP: Do A Google Search For: “csst gas line bonding contractors”.
Al’s Plumbing, in Plano, Texas Provides Full-Service Plumbing; Maintenance, Repairs, and Replacements For Every Plumbing Component In Your Home. We sell and install gas and electric water heaters. Al’s is near your home in; Murphy, TX; Rowlette, TX; and Wylie, Texas. We service all homes in southern Collin County, TX, and northeastern Dallas County, TX with no additional travel charges.
Call Al’s Today To Discuss Any Concerns Or Problems You Have With Your Home’s Plumbing.
We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.
WARNING: If You Smell Gas — Leave Your Home & Lawn.
Then Call 911 & Your Gas Supplier.
In DFW: Atmos Gas‘ Emergency Number is: 866 / 322-8667.
Unbonded Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)
Gas Lines — And The Risk Of Lightning-Strike House Fires
NOTE: This Information Applies To All CSST Brands.
Image Source: Shutterstock.com
On May 30, 2023 – Three House Fires Occured In Frisco.
2 Of The Fires Were Across The Street From Each Other.
The Denton County Appraisal District Shows Homes On Old Province Way Were Built Around 2006.
The YouTube Video Below, From Channel 4 News In San Antonio,
Discusses The Dangers Of Unbonded CSST Gas Lines.
Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video Link
Click On The White Arrow To View The Video.
Shown: This News Article, From Channel 4 News In San Antonio, Discusses The Dangers Of Unbonded CSST Gas Lines.
Shown: CSST Gas Line / Pipe
Unbonded Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)
Gas Lines — And The Risk Of Lightning-Strike Fires
NOTE: Al’s Plumbing Does Not Perform CSST Gas Lines Bonding.
TIP: Do A Google Search For: “csst gas line bonding contractors”.
This article details a hazard related to Flexible, Yellow, Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) Gas Lines within your home. It also describes a history of house fires associated with CSST when lightning strikes nearby — or to the home itself.
On A Side Note: We also have an article about Power Surges Resulting From Lighting Striking Nearby, or striking the home itself.
Click Here To Our Power Surges Article: AlsPlumbing.com Power Surges — Damage Caused, and Ways To Prevent Damage
Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) gas lines have been allowed in Texas since 1990.
Texas Building Codes Requiring CSST Bonding Occurred In 2007.
Building Code changes were in response to lightning strikes damage to CSST gas lines.
Flexible CSST gas lines are used to pipe gas throughout the home to gas; furnaces, water heaters, and gas appliances in most newer homes.
Lightning Strikes Have A Documented History Of Creating Holes In CSST Gas Lines, allowing the gas to escape and dramatically increasing the risk of gas-fueled fire or explosion. Lightning Strike CSST Pipe Fire Risk — Is Tremendously Reduced When CSST Flexible Gas Lines Are Properly “Bonded”.
BONDED DEFINED: CSST Gas Lines Are Connected With Wiring — That Takes Electrical Energy Away From CSST Gas Lines in the event of a lightening-strike on or near the home.
Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video Link
SHOWN: Damaged CSST Gas Line After A Lightning Strike
Click Here To See A: Close Up Photo Of A Hole In Flexible Gas Line Due To Lighting Strike
If Link Doesn’t Work — Copy This Into Your Browser: https://www.google.com/search?q=csst+gas+line+after+lightning+strike&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjc2K7s3p__AhXXMN4AHRJUB40Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=csst+gas+line+after+lightning+strike&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzoFCAAQgAQ6BwgAEIoFEEM6CAgAEIAEELEDOg0IABCKBRCxAxCDARBDOgoIABCKBRCxAxBDOgYIABAIEB46BwgAEBgQgAQ6BAgAEB5Qig1YqFJgy1VoAHAAeACAAUSIAZgOkgECMzeYAQCgAQGqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=GVZ3ZJzoMtfh-LYPkqid6Ag&bih=541&biw=1097#imgrc=k7o2ej-J3VhGEM
Image Source: Pixabay
- Texas Building Code has allowed CSST gas lines since the 1990’s.
- Building Codes Requiring Bonding — came into practice during 2007
- If you own a Texas home, built between 1990 — 2008, you may have unbonded CSST gas lines.
- Building Codes Updates — occurred in response to damage to flexible gas lines and fires in homes struck by lightning.
- There’s a multi-year gap in which Texas Building Codes did not require bonding of flexible gas lines.
NOTE: Homes built with CSST Gas Lines, before Building Code Required Bonding, were built in compliance with Building Code at that time BUT that does not mean they are safe. They may or may not have bonded gas lines. An inspection will determine if the gas lines are safely bonded as required by today’s Building Code.
Most DFW homes have gas lines in their attic. This makes them more prone to damage from lightning strikes (IF the CSST gas lines are not Bonded to ensure lightning’s electrical energy is carried AWAY from the pipe — versus carried BY the pipe).
The home needs to be inspected, and proper bonding (if not already present) must be installed to yellow flexible gas lines, to help protect the home in the event of a lightning strike.
Many fire experts agree that a lightning strike’s electrical energy can run through the electrical wiring in a house, then jump (or arc) onto CSST gas lines — where it creates holes in the tubes. The holes release gas & possibly create a Gas-Fueled Fire and/or Explosion.
A Change To The Texas Property Inspector’s Form
Effective September 1st, 2015 the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopted a new Property Inspection Report Form (REI 7–5).
This Language Was Added to the “Consumer Notice Concerning Hazards or Deficiencies” section of the Home Inspection Form — to notify consumers of the potential hazards regarding lack of bonding on gas piping, including corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST). This notice is found in the Property Inspection Report on page 2 of the preamble and TREC Form No. OP-I.
TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission) exists to safeguard the public interest and protect consumers of real estate services. In accord with state and federal laws, the agency oversees real estate brokerage, appraisal, inspection, home warranty, right-of-way services and timeshare interest providers. Through education, licensing and regulation, the agency ensures the availability of qualified and ethical service providers, thereby facilitating economic growth and opportunity across Texas.
The complete news article about this change can be seen here:
TexasConsumerNews.com New Property Inspection Report For CSST
Underground Gas Lines Coming To Your Home
Newer Underground Gas Lines Are Polyethylene (a form of plastic). They are engineered and certified for underground installation.
Image Source: CanStockPhoto
Beyond The Gas Meter, Metal Gas Lines Are Installed Within The Home
The Gas Pipe Used Is Typically Black Steel (Often Called: “Black Iron”) OR Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST)
See The Photo Of Each Pipe Just Below.
TIP: This YouTube Video, Created By Home-Flex (brand) CSST Gas Lines — Details Bonding Of CSST Gas Lines.
Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video Link
SHOWN: Black Steel/Iron Pipe on the left. CSST Flexible Gas Line on the right.
TIP: The YouTube Video Above, Created By Home-Flex (brand) CSST Gas Lines — Details Bonding Of CSST Gas Lines.
If Link Doesn’t Work — Copy This Into Your Browser: https://www.google.com/search?q=home+attic+with+csst+separated+from+electrical+wiring&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjw37vo45__AhXLMt4AHe8hB2EQ2-cCegQIABAA&oq=home+attic+with+csst+separated+from+electrical+wiring&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1AAWABgAGgAcAB4AIABAIgBAJIBAJgBAKoBC2d3cy13aXotaW1n&sclient=img&ei=T1t3ZLD8Msvl-LYP78OciAY&bih=541&biw=1097#imgrc=HfK0Mi-_QWrGFM
This NBC DFW Channel 5 Newscast & Article describe a homeowners’ first-hand experience with a fire caused by a lightening-strike to their 2012-built Lubbock, TX home. The fire investigation stated that a lightning strike appeared to have caused punctures in the CSST gas lines in the attic — setting the home on fire and resulting in a death.
NBC Channel 5 News Article about A Lightning Strike & Fire In A Home In Lubbock, TX
What About Existing Homes?
Building-Codes Typically Have: “Grandfathering”. Grandfathering Means: When something was installed in compliance with Building-Codes at the time of the installation — it’s deemed correctly installed, even if Building-Codes change.
** Source: http://structuretech1.com/csst-bonding-update/
Proper CSST Bonding ***
CSST Bond Wires or Clamps Shall NEVER Be Connected To: ***
- Natural Gas Meters or facilities.
- A ground that is independent of the electrical service grounding system.
- The corrugated stainless steel portion of the pipe.
- Clamps must be attached to: the brass fitting, steel manifold, or other rigid pipe).
CSST Bond Wires or Clamps Shall ALWAYS Be Connected To: ***
- Customer piping — as close to the natural gas meter as practical.
- A CSST brass fitting, steel manifold, or rigid pipe.
- To The Electrical-Service Grounding System. This connection may be made at either: the ground rod, the ground-wire running to the rod, or in the Electrical Service Panel (also known as Circuit-Breaker Panel).
*** Source: https://www.we-energies.com/outages_safety/using_energy_safely/CSST_policyreq.pdf
To Further Reduce The Risk Of Lightning Strike Damage To CSST
Separate Locations Of CSST & Electrical Wiring Are A Recommended Home Building Practice.
- CSST Must Be Properly Bonded. The bonding conductor shall be no smaller than #6 AWG copper or equivalent. References irc 2006 G 2411.1, IRC 2012 2411.1.1.
- CSST MayBe Bonded Anywhere Along The Electrical-Service Grounding System. CSST can be connected to a metallic water piping coming into the home. Most new homes today do not have metal water lines, they are PEX / plastic and CSST must be grounded to something metal.
- Care Should Be Taken To Maintain As Much Separation As Possible Between CSST & All Other Electrically Conductive Systems.
Electrically Conductive Systems INCLUDES:
- electrical wiring
- metal ductwork
- metal water pipes *
- metal chimney liners
- All continuous Electrically Conductive Systems listed above should also be bonded.
CSST Gas Lines Versus Flexible Appliance Connectors (FAC)
There is a difference between CSST Gas Lines and the similar-looking yellow Flexible Appliance Connectors (FAC). While both CSST and FAC are made with stainless steel & carry gas — they are made differently and for different purposes. CSST is a Gas-Distribution System. FAC is a short length of tubing designed to connect the gas-burning device to the gas-distribution pipe.
Click Here To See The Difference Between CSST Gas Line and Flexible Appliance Connectors (FAC):
CSST & Flexible Appliance Connector Side By Side
If Link Doesn’t Work — Copy This Into Your Browser: https://www.google.com/search?q=photo+of+bonded+csst+gas+pipe&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjQo_T58p__AhUbIt4AHWNJDk8Q2-cCegQIABAA&oq=photo+of+bonded+csst+gas+pipe&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQAzIFCAAQgARQAFgAYKYIaABwAHgAgAGNAYgBjQGSAQMwLjGYAQCqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZ8ABAQ&sclient=img&ei=Lmt3ZNDUOZvE-LYP45K5-AQ&bih=541&biw=1097
How To Identify FAC:
- FAC Does Not Require Bonding — because it’s connected to a bonded gas-distribution system.
- FAC is between 1–6 feet long
- FAC are commonly found between the home’s gas-supply lines and the gas equipment.
- FAC have factory-installed connectors on each end.
- FAC corrugation is highly visible. As compared, CSST is sheathed and the corrugation is not highly visible.
©
NOTE: Al’s Plumbing Does Not Perform CSST Gas Lines Bonding.
TIP: Do A Google Search For: “csst gas line bonding contractors”.
Al’s Plumbing, in Plano, Texas Provides Full-Service Plumbing; Maintenance, Repairs, and Replacements For Every Plumbing Component In Your Home. We sell and install gas and electric water heaters. Al’s is near your home in; Murphy, TX; Rowlette, TX; and Wylie, Texas. We service all homes in southern Collin County, TX, and northeastern Dallas County, TX with no additional travel charges.
Call Al’s Today To Discuss Any Concerns Or Problems You Have With Your Home’s Plumbing.
We will arrange an appointment at your convenience.