This Article Describes The Dangers Of Unbonded (ungrounded) Flexible CSST Gas Pipes. Al’s Plumbing — in Plano, TX provides full-service plumbing; maintenance, repairs, and replacements for every plumbing component in your home. Al’s sells and installs gas and electric water heaters. Al’s is near your home in; Plano, TX; Allen, TX; Frisco, TX; and McKinney, 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.
Danger / Saftey Alert — For UnBonded (Ungrounded) Flexible CSST Gas Pipes
Image Source: Pixabay.com
Shown: Lighting Strike
A Notably Enhanced Risk Of Fire Exists In Homes With
Unbonded (ungrounded) Flexible Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) Gas Pipes.
(We Call Them: “Flexible CSST Gas Pipes” In This Article.)
Image Source: Amazon.com Embedded Link
NOTE: If You Know Your Home’s Flexible CSST Gas Pipes Are Grounded — This Article Doesn’t Apply To You.
NOTE: If You Know Your Home Doesn’t Have Flexible CSST Gas Pipes — This Article Doesn’t Apply To You.
Image Source: Shutterstock
Shown: House With Attic On Fire
This YouTube Video Shows Flexible CSST Gas Pipes With Holes – Caused By A Lighting Strike
Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video Link
The First Line Of Defense For Flexible CSST Gas Pipes Is To Ensure They Are Bonded (Grounded).
Ungrounded CSST Has A History Of Nearby Lightning Strikes Causing Holes In The Pipe
Image Source: Amazon.com Embedded Link
IN TEXAS, The Homes At The Most Risk Were Built Between 1990-2009
Before Bonding (grounding) Flexible CSST Gas Pipes Became Required By Texas Building Code.
- In 1990, Texas began allowing CSST to be used in homes for gas lines.
- Homes built on a slab foundation (no basement) — have CSST lines in their attic.
- In 2008 — Texas Building Code began requiring Bonding/Grounding of CSST.
- This new Building Code was in response to CSST’s history of lighting strikes causing holes to form in the pipe — due to not being bonded/grounded.
- Homes with CSST that’s not grounded — are a notably increased risk of holes in CSST due to a Lighting Strike.
An Additional Line Of Defense For Flexible CSST Gas Pipes & Your Home — Is Provided By Lightning Rods
Click Here To Read Our Article About Lightning Rods: AlsPlumbing.com Lightning Rods Guard From Direct Lighting Strikes
Click The Link Below To View An NBC News Cast About Multiple DFW Homes’ Fires During A Single Lightning Storm In 2021.
NBC Dallas Multiple Home Fires Caused By Lightning Strikes
NOTE: The Newscast Doesn’t Mention CSST — It Covers Only The Fires.
(If Link Doesn’t Work — Copy This Into Your Browser https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/multiple-building-fires-possibly-caused-by-lightning-from-overnight-storms/2564566/)
Click Below To See An NBC News Cast About CSST Gas Lines & Lightning:
NBC Dallas CSST Gas Lines Damaged By Lightning Strikes
(If Link Doesn’t Work — Copy This Into Your Browser): https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/experts-say-flexible-gas-line-lightning-related-fires-continue-in-spite-of-new-safety-measures/188585/#
Click Here To Read A Report About CSST Gas Lines & Lightning From Lightning Protection Institute: Lightning.org Concerns About CSST Gas Lines
(If Link Doesn’t Work — Copy This Into Your Browser): https://lightning.org/lightning-protection-institute-expresses-concerns-about-a-common-gas-piping/
Lightning Strikes Protection For Direct Lightning Strike
+ INdirect Lightning Power Surges.
An INdirect Lightning Power Surge Can Damage Or Destroy A Homes;
Circuit Breakers’ Panel, Electrical Wiring, HVAC Equipment, Appliances,
Electronics (like computers & TVs) & Electrical Devices (like smart-plugs).
Indirect lightning is defined as lightning that strikes in one location — but creates problems at a different location. Indirect lightning’s power surge, or worse yet direct lightning strikes to electricity wires — create power surges into outdoor electrical wires. The homes connected to those wires are likely to have that large power surge enter them.
Once inside the home — indirect lightning seeks the fastest path(s) for the lightning’s energy — to go into the ground. Lightning is even known to jump to nearby objects — that offer a faster path into the ground. The lighting can also travel along; metal water & sewer pipes & flexible CSST gas pipes, cable tv & phone wiring.
As an indirect lightning power surge travels through a home’s electrical wiring — it can damage or destroy the wiring + everything connected to it. Plug-in power strips can not stop indirect lighting power surges. They will allow some/all of the power surge through, and then into the devices plugged into them.
Source: https://science.howstuffworks.com/nature/natural-disasters/lightning7.htm
Click To See A Home’s Electric Meter Destroyed By A Lightning Strike: Electric Meter Struck By Lightning.
Click To See A Home Circuit Breakers’ Panel Destroyed By A Lightning Strike: Circuit Breakers’ Panel Struck By Lighting
Click To See A Central A/C Unit Destroyed By A Lightning Strike: Central A/C Struck By Lightning
Click To See Several Gas Meters Still On Fire After A Lightning Strike: Gas Meters Remain On Fire After Lightning Strike
This YouTube Video Shows A Direct Lightning Strike To A Home
This YouTube Video Shows A Lightning Strike To A Lightning Tower That’s Protecting A Launch Pad At Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video
SHOWN: This Video Demonstrates A Lightning Rod – Intercepting 2 Direct Lightning Strikes Within 20 Seconds.
Lighting Typically Strikes The Highest Object Near Where It Strikes.
Note: Lighting rods don’t attract lighting — they intercept nearby lightning strikes.
This YouTube Video Shows Massive Fire Damage To A Home — Caused By A Direct Lightning Strike.
Direct Lightning Strikes Protection — Is Provided By Installing Lightning Rods On The Roof.
Image Source: YouTube Embedded Link
SHOWN: A Texas Home Heavily Damaged By A Directly Lightning Strike
NOTE: The State Farm Insurance Spokesman in this video said there were 8,500 Lightning Stike Damage Claims In Texas In 1 Year.
He also said Texas Is 2nd (FL is #1) For Lighting Strike Damage.
2 Ways To Have Increased Lighting Protection For The Entire Home
- A Direct Lightning Strike to the structure — add Lightning Rods.
- For Indirect Lightning Power Surge — coming into the home through electricity wires outside the structure — add a Whole-House Surge Protector.
Source: https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-indoors
The 2020 National Electrical Building Code Began Requiring Whole-House Surge Protector To Be Installed In Newly-Built & Renovated Homes.
Adding A Whole-House Surge Protector Provides Notably Increased INdirect Lightning Strikes Protection.
When lightning strikes a nearby power line, the power surge created travels along that outdoor electricity line to a home. Then the strike enters the home (at the meter), then into the home’s electrical panel & wiring. If the home is equipped with a Whole-House Surge Protector — the power surge stops there.
Power-Grid Related External Power Surges
Stopping These Power Surges Requires A Whole-House Surge Protector.
Overhead Electricity Wires Are Subject To Many Types Of Damage That Causes Power Surges.
This (somewhat disturbing) YouTube Video Shows How Power Lines Can React To A Short-Circuit
Image Source: YouTube Video Embedded Link
- Power-Grid power surges are often due to; downed wires, wires touching anything, electricity being rerouted to other outdoor power wire(s), and electricity suppliers adding more electricity to meet rising demand,
- A power surge follows every power outage.
Plug-In Surge Protectors Don’t Provide Protection For Devices
From Lightning Strikes & Large External Power Surges Entering A Home.
Image Source: Amazon.com embedded link
SHOWN: A Common Plug-In Surge Protector
Plug-In Surge Protectors stop only small, internal power surges. These originate within the home when high electricity demand devices turn off (like a/c). Plug-In Power Surge Protectors — have no capacity to halt a large power surge entering the home from outside. A Plug-In Surge Protector allows some or all of a large power surge through the surge protector, and into the devices plugged into it.
Source: https://stormhighway.com/surge_protectors_ups_lightning_protection_myth.php
Increased Protection From A Direct Lightning Strike
Requires A Lightning Rods System
This YouTube Video Was Created By This Old House — To Show The Installation Of Lightning Rods + A Whole-House Surge Protector.
Image Source: YouTube Embedded Video
SHOWN: Installing Lightning Rods Protection
NOTE: Al’s Plumbing Does Not Sell Or Install Lightning Rods or Whole House Surge Protectors
Increased Protection From Indirect/nearby Lightning-Strikes OR Power-Grid-Related Power Surges
Requires A Whole-House Surge Protector.
The 2020 National Electrical Building Code Began Requiring Whole-House Surge Protector To Be Installed In Newly-Built & Renovated Homes.
Indirect lightning strikes are strikes near a building OR on powerlines. These create a power surge that enters a home through its electrical connection to the power grid. Although indirect strikes are usually less damaging than direct strikes — they are strong enough to damage electronic circuitry.
UL (formerly known as Underwriters Laboratories) is an independent organization recognized worldwide for safety testing and certification. The term “UL-listed” is frequently used. The current standard for surge-protection devices is UL 1449 (3rd Edition).
UL 1449 Covers Numerous Characteristics Of A Whole-House Surge Protector Such As:
- How quickly the surge protector reacts to a surge.
- The amount of (power surge) current required to trip the device.
- The level of protection offered. This is stated in kiloAmps (kA). 1 kA = 1,000 amps.
- To pass UL 144 — a surge protector must consistently perform during as many as 15 consecutive tests.
A surge protector’s Maximum Continuous Operating Voltage (MCOV) — is how much voltage the surge protector allows through without tripping. If the device tripped every time the power voltage rises (but within a safe range) it would cause unnecessary wear on the protector, and become a nuisance to the owner. Generally, voltage margins are between 15% — 20%. Example: a 120-volt surge protector, with a 20% margin, allows up to 144 volts to pass through it without tripping.
- The most commonly used figure is the Surge-Protection Rating — the amount (excess) electrical current the device can absorb.
- It’s measured in kiloAmps (kA). 1 kA = 1,000 amps.
- Note: Current most new homes have 200 amps electrical service.
- The minimum is 10kA (10,000 amps) — and far higher kA ratings are available.
- Whole-house surge protectors should be rated at 30kA or higher.
- 30kA is typically enough to handle the worst storms or power-generation problems.
Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-whole-house-surge-protector/
- Type 1: Whole-House Surge Protectors
- Type 1 Surge Protectors — Are Located At The Electricity’s Service-Entrance (where the electricity connects to the house)
- They’re installed between the Electric Meter and the House.
Click Here To See A: Whole House Surge Protected Installed Between Meter & House (SCROLL Down a bit — photo on the left.)
(If Link Doesn’t Work — Copy This Into Your Browser: https://kbelectricpa.com/whole-house-surge-protection-type-1-meter-based-surge-protector/)
This Story Came From The This Old House Website
Source: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/electrical/21194149/how-effective-are-surge-protectors
Electrical contractor Allen Gallant was about halfway through the job of completely rewiring a 3,200-square-foot house in Acton, Massachusetts. That’s when the owners decided to not install whole house surge protection — against surges from lightning or downed power lines.
Soon after the rewiring was finished, Gallant got a phone call from the distressed owners: Lightning had struck a utility pole near their house (an INdirect Lighting Strike) — sending a tidal wave of voltage past the circuit-breaker panel, through the home’s wires, and into the house. “It burned out the circuit board in the Sub-Zero refrigerator, the temperature controls in the double-wall oven, six dimmers, two computers, and every GFCI plug in the house,” Gallant says: “It was an $11,000 loss.”
Source: https://www.esfi.org/surge-protective-devices?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_-nBp5ym-QIVVmxvBB0D4QR-EAAYAyAAEgJIl_D_BwE
- Type 2 Whole-House Surge Protectors — Installed inside the Circuit Breakers Panel OR beside the panel.
- Type 3 – Plug-In Surge Protectors — are what most people think of when they hear surge-protector.
Whole-House Surge Protectors
Image Source: Amazon.com Embedded Link
SHOWN: SQUARE D (brand) Whole-House Surge Protector — 80 kA. For 120-Volt & 240-Volt Protection.
This Modestly-Priced Protector Has A 4.5 Stars (out of 5) Buyer Satisfaction Rating on Amazon.com
It Can Be Installed Inside or Outside The Circuit Breakers Panel.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com
Al’s earns from qualifying purchases.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com
Image Source: Amazon.com Embedded Link
SHOWN: SIEMENS (brand) Whole-House Surge Protector — 100 kA. For 120-Volt & 240-Volt Protection.
FirstSurge Plus (FS100) = 100 kA protection (shown)
Al’s earns from qualifying purchases.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.com
TIP: This Is Bob Villa’s #1 Choice For A Mid-Range Surge Protector. Source: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-whole-house-surge-protector/
It has A 5 Stars (out of 5) Buyer Satisfaction Rating on Amazon.com
It Can Be Installed Inside or Outside The Circuit Breakers Panel.
Click On Image To; View Product, Read Details, or Purchase From Amazon.
TIP: SIEMENS FirstSurge Power (FS060) = 60 kA protection. Priced higher than FS100 on Amazon (when this article was written).
TIP: SIEMENS FirstSurge Pro (FS140) = 140 kA protection. Priced nearly double that of the FS100 on Amazon (when this article was written).
This Part, of our multiple-part article, discussed Lighting Strike damage to a home. Lighting strikes cause around 4,300 house fires each year. Unless a Whole-House Surge Protector is in place — homes are not equipped to stop a lightning strike. Though lightning striking a home is uncommon — homes that do experience a lighting strike typically have extensive damage. A direct lightning strike often causes a house to catch on fire.
In this section– we also provide details about the enhanced risk of fire for owners of homes with Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) in the attic. If the CSST isn’t grounded, to carry a lightning strike’s damage away from the pipe — lightning energy often creates holes in the pipe. In Texas, the homes most likely at risk were built between 1990–2009. CSST was allowed In Texas starting in 1990 — and Building Codes started requiring Bonding/Grounding of CSST starting in 2008.
Al’s Plumbing — in Plano, TX provides full-service plumbing; maintenance, repairs, and replacements for every plumbing component in your home. Al’s sells and installs gas and electric water heaters. Al’s is near your home in; Plano, TX; Allen, TX; Frisco, TX; and McKinney, 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.