Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 12, March 22, 2024
a) Natural Gas. There are three codes
affecting the operation of natural gas facilities in manufactured homes: the
Pipeline Safety Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of
Transportation for the pipeline to the meter; the National Fuel Gas Code
written by the National Fire Protection Association for the piping from the
meter to underneath the home, and the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety
Standards, administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development for
the appliance installation, operation and venting in the home.
1) Piping. Natural gas piping must be of
approved materials.
A) Plastic piping
approved for natural gas, ASTM 2513, must be installed below ground level,
except that it may terminate aboveground if:
i) The aboveground part of the plastic
service line is protected against deterioration and external damage;
and
ii) The plastic service line is
not used to support external loads. Plastic pipe, tubing and fittings shall be
joined in accordance with manufacturer's instructions. An electrically
continuous corrosion resistant tracer wire (Minimum 14 AWG (American wire
gauge)) or tape shall be buried with the plastic pipe to facilitate
locating.
B) Metallic
pipe shall be at least standard weight, Schedule 40. Copper and brass pipe
shall not be used if the gas contains more than an average of 0.3 grains of
hydrogen sulfide per 100 standard cubic feet of gas. Metallic tubing such as
seamless copper (ASTM A254) shall be permitted to be used with gas not
corrosive to such material.
2) Support. All piping under the home must be
supported with appropriate hangers spaced at no more than 6 foot intervals for
1 inch diameter or less pipe and no more than 10 foot intervals for piping 11/4
inch in diameter or more.
3)
Defects and Corrosion. Defects in pipe, tubing or fittings shall not be
repaired. When defective pipe, tubing or fittings are located in a system, the
defective material shall be replaced. Gas piping in contact with earth or other
material that could corrode the piping shall be protected against corrosion in
an approved manner.
4) Meters,
Valves and Regulators. Meters and regulators must be installed in a readily
accessible location and be protected from corrosion and other damage. Each
service line must have a service line valve located upstream of the regulator
or meter.
5) Location and Testing.
Each buried main must be installed with at least 24 inches of cover and service
lines with at least 18 inches of cover. The service line cover can be reduced
to 12 inches if external damage to the pipe is not likely to result. The gas
piping system must be tested for leaks prior to occupancy of the
home.
b) Liquefied
Petroleum Gas (LP). LP gas containers must be approved for the intended use and
properly located in accordance with the Standard for the Storage and Handling
of Liquefied Petroleum Gases (NFPA 58-98) (Table 9 - Proper Location of
Liquified Petroleum Gas Containers).
c) Oil Burning Equipment. Fuel oil burning
equipment must be installed in accordance with the Standards for the
Installation of Oil Burning Equipment (NFPA 31).
