Gas Line (F06)
Gas lines power furnaces, water heaters, ranges, dryers, and fireplaces – but gas work is dangerous and heavily regulated requiring licensed professionals.
This BidScope guides you through gas piping systems: natural gas from utility companies (pressures typically 1/4 PSI at meter), propane/LP gas from tanks (higher pressure, requires different regulators and equipment), and gas line sizing for proper flow and pressure.
Learn pipe materials: black iron pipe (traditional, threaded connections, code-compliant everywhere, heavy), CSST (corrugated stainless steel tubing – flexible yellow or black jacket, faster installation, requires bonding), and PE (polyethylene for underground only, yellow for natural gas, not for propane in most jurisdictions).
Understand sizing requirements: gas pipe diameter based on BTU load and length, pressure drop calculations, minimum sizing by appliance, upsizing for future appliances.
Master installation requirements: proper support and hanging, drip legs at appliances to catch condensation and debris, shutoff valves at each appliance, sediment traps, flexible connectors at appliances only (not permanent piping).
Navigate safety requirements: pressure testing before use (typically 10+ PSI for 15+ minutes), leak detection with soap solution, proper bonding of CSST to prevent lightning damage, permits and inspections required.
Learn appliance conversion: natural gas to propane requires orifice changes and regulator adjustment, not DIY work.
Understand when gas lines need replacing or upgrading.
Know emergency procedures: gas smell requires immediate evacuation and utility call, never operate electrical switches if gas leak suspected.
Calculate typical costs: new gas line $15-30 per linear foot installed, appliance hookup $150-400, whole-house repipe $2,000-6,000+.
This tool ensures your gas piping is safe, code-compliant, and properly sized.
What’s Included:
- Gas line systems (natural gas, propane/LP)
- Natural gas from utility (typically 1/4 PSI at meter)
- Propane systems (tank to house, higher pressure, regulators)
- Gas line sizing for BTU load and pressure
- Gas pipe materials (black iron, CSST, PE underground)
- Black iron pipe (traditional, threaded, code-compliant everywhere)
- CSST corrugated stainless steel tubing (flexible, yellow or black jacket, faster install)
- PE polyethylene pipe (underground only, yellow for natural gas)
- Pipe sizing requirements (diameter by BTU and length)
- BTU load calculations for appliances
- Pressure drop in long runs
- Gas line sizing tables
- Oversizing for future appliances
- Installation requirements (support, drip legs, shutoffs, sediment traps)
- Proper pipe support and hangers
- Drip legs/sediment traps at appliances
- Shutoff valves at each appliance
- Flexible connectors (appliance connection only, not for permanent pipe)
- Manual vs automatic shutoff valves
- Gas meter location and protection
- Pressure regulators
- Safety requirements (pressure testing, leak detection, bonding)
- Pressure test before use (10+ PSI for 15+ minutes typical)
- Leak detection with soap solution
- Never use open flame for leak detection
- CSST bonding requirements (lightning protection)
- Permits and inspections required
- Natural gas to propane conversion
- Orifice changes required
- Regulator adjustment
- Never DIY gas conversion
- Appliance gas hookup
- Gas range installation
- Gas dryer installation
- Gas fireplace connection
- Tankless water heater gas line sizing (large BTU)
- Outdoor gas lines (BBQ, fire pit, heaters)
- Underground gas line installation
- Gas line repair and leak repair
- When to replace gas lines
- Aging black iron corrosion
- Emergency procedures (gas smell, evacuation, utility call)
- Carbon monoxide safety
- Gas shutoff in earthquake (automatic shutoff valves available)
- Cost factors ($15-30 per linear foot, $150-400 appliance hookup, $2,000-6,000+ whole-house)
- Utah gas line licensing requirements
- Finding qualified gas contractors
- Code compliance (IFGC, local amendments)
