Modifications to Chapter 7, Gas Piping Installation

(1) Replace section 7.1.6 with the following: 7.1.6 Piping Underground Beneath Buildings. When the installation of gas piping underground beneath buildings is unavoidable, the piping shall be encased in a vented conduit that is listed, certified by the manufacturer, or designed by a professional engineer to be capable of withstanding the imposed load and influences of the underground environment. (a) Conduit Ventilation. 1. Conduit vents shall be sized no less than 50% of the conduit. 2. Conduit vents shall terminate at the exterior of the building or structure, be a minimum of four feet above finished grade, and shall be installed so as to prevent the entrance of water and insects. (b) Undiluted Liquefied Petroleum Gas. Undiluted Liquefied Petroleum Gas shall not be conveyed in piping and through this type of conduit due to the characteristics and behavior properties of this gas. (2) Add the following to the end of sub-section 7.2.5.4 Supports added for piping on rooftops must be installed in such a manner that they do not compromise the integrity of the roof. However, should the performance of gas-fitting work impact the structural integrity of roofing components, necessary corrective work falls outside the scope of this code. See 780 CMR: Massachusetts Amendments to the International Building Code 2009 or 271 CMR: Board of Examiners of Sheet Metal Workers, if applicable, for licensing and other requirements for said work. (3) Add a new sub-section 7.3.4.1 as follows: 7.3.4.1 CSST Tubing in Partitions. CSST installed vertically and horizontally in concealed wall spaces or partitions shall be protected in accordance with Table 7.3.4.1: Table 7.3.4.1 Protection of CSST Tubing Installed in Concealed Wall Spaces and Partitions Tubing Orientation and Location Insulation Type Tubing Size less than one inch Tubing Size equal to or greater than one inch Vertical Wall None 1. Single runs only. 2. Tubing not secured to structure. 3. CSST manufacturer specified strike plates at points of penetration. 4. CSST Strike plates on both sides of wall. Same as CSST less than one inch with CSST manufacturer specified shielding device along entire length in concealed space. Table 7.3.4.1 (continued) Protection of CSST Tubing Installed in Concealed Wall Spaces and Partitions Tubing Orientation and Location Insulation Type Tubing Size less than one inch Tubing Size equal to or greater than one inch Vertical Wall Non-rigid 1. Single runs only. 2. Tubing not secured to structure. 3. Tubing installed between insulation and wall board. 4. CSST manufacturer specified strike plates at points of penetration Vertical Wall Rigid Schedule 40 pipe or CSST manufacturer specified shielding device along entire length and at points of penetration. Horizontal Wall N/A CSST manufacturer specified shielding device along length between studs and strike plates at points of penetration on both sides of wall. Same as CSST less than one inch with CSST manufacturer specified shielding device along entire length in concealed space. (4) Replace sub-section 7.9.2.4 with the following: 7.9.2.4 Emergency and Other Shutoff Valves for Laboratories. Each laboratory room or space containing a gas outlet installed on tables, benches, or in hoods in educational, research, commercial, and industrial occupancies shall have an emergency shutoff valve through which all gas outlets are supplied. The emergency shutoff valve must be in a readily accessible space adjacent to the laboratory's egress door and identified as such. Additional non-emergency shutoff valves shall be provided in an accessible location for each individual table, bench, or hood equipped with gas outlets. 7.13.2 CSST. CSST systems shall be bonded in accordance with subsection 7.13.1 unless such bonding would be in conflict with manufacturer installation instructions. However, to the extent the manufacturer's installation instructions require additional bonding which falls within the scope of electrical licensure, this code shall not govern such requirements. In such instances, the installation may not be approved by a plumbing or gas inspector unless there is proof that an electrical permit has been obtained to perform such bonding.