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org/magazine/2009/07/16/bonding-metal-gas-piping/
Michael Johnston
Many questions are being raised about the requirements for bonding metal gas
piping systems. More specifically, when corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) is
installed for the gas piping in a building, bonding methods and bonding jumper
sizes that are more restrictive than required by theNational Electrical Code® are
causing some of the confusion and concern. This issue is not a small problem and
has generated a significant amount of interest by various groups. This article takes
a look at what the NEC requires regarding bonding of metal gas piping systems. It
also explores recent revisions to NFPA 54 the National Fuel Gas Code and some of
the challenges inspection authorities, electrical contractors, and gas piping
installers are encountering today on a regular basis.
Photo 1. Metal gas piping using corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST)
distributed through an iron manifold. Photo courtesy of Bill McGovern, city of
Plano, Tx.
Purpose
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become energized is necessary, and that the bonding must be done in a manner
that connects them together and to the electrical supply source in a manner that
establishes an effective ground-fault current path.
Photo 2. Bonding jumper connections accessible and made to the metal piping
system using listed bonding and grounding clamp. Photo courtesy of Bill
McGovern, city of Plano, Tx.
Performance
Electrical bonding is addressed in the NEC in Part V of Article 250. The section
dealing with bonding metal gas piping is 250.104(B). This rule applies to various
metal piping systems, including gas piping systems that are likely to become
energized where installed in or attached to a building or structure. This rule calls
for a bonding jumper to be connected between the metal gas piping and the
service equipment enclosure, the grounded conductor at the service, the
grounding electrode conductor if of sufficient size, or to one or more grounding
electrodes of the grounding electrode system. The connection points (points of
attachment) of the bonding jumper are required to be accessible. ThisCoderule
also clearly indicates the minimum size for the bonding jumper generally has to be
sized using Table 250.122 based on the rating of the circuit likely to energize the
piping system. These circuits are generally considered as those that supply gas-
fired equipment. At a minimum, the size of the bonding jumper should be not less
than the size of the equipment grounding conductor of the circuit supplying the
equipment. The overcurrent device for the circuit determines the minimum size.
One could install larger bonding jumpers and exceed the minimum. This is often
specified in the plans for larger construction projects. It is a good approach to
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verify with the local inspection authority how they approach sizing bonding
jumpers for metal gas piping systems, because recent changes in other applicable
standards and in the installation instructions provided by manufacturers of
certain types of gas piping systems result in the minimum bonding jumper size
being larger than what is required by theNEC.
Metal gas piping systems in buildings are often installed using hard metal piping
that is suitable for gas distribution such as steel and wrought iron, copper and
brass, or aluminum alloy. Recently a new type of steel tubing joins the list of
piping systems for use in gas systems. Corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) is
recognized by the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54) and it must be listed to meet
the performance, installation, and construction criteria in ANSI LC 1/CSA 6.26.
Since CSST is a metal gas piping system, it falls under the bonding requirements
in Section 250.104(B) of theNEC. An interesting feature of CSST products is that
they provide manufacturer’s instructions for installation. Interestingly these
instructions in some cases, not all, specify bonding requirements that are more
restrictive than theNECrules. This could be where some of the inconsistencies and
confusion lie, in addition to the fact that there is at least one CSST manufacturer
that does not impose any bonding requirements that are more restrictive than the
bonding rules in theNEC. It should be noted that NFPA 54 requires that
manufacturer’s instructions must be followed in addition to applicable local gas
supplier (often a utility) regulations.
The Challenges
The National Fuel Gas Code was recently revised to include bonding requirements
for metal gas piping that are more restrictive than those in theNEC. The bonding
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requirements for metal gas piping systems in both NFPA 54 and NFPA 70 have
been consistent until this revision. Attempts were made to revise the
2011NECmetal gas piping bonding rules so as to become consistent with NFPA
54-2009. CMP-5 rejected these proposals and indicated that insufficient technical
substantiation was provided. Lightning is an unpredictable force. It would be
difficult to conclude that by just changing aCoderule, the apparent lightning
problems with some CSST products would be resolved. CMP-5 was very careful in
their considerations of this proposal. The reason for the significant efforts to
change the bonding rules for metal gas piping systems in both NFPA 54 and NFPA
70 are primarily related to problems from lightning events that could cause small
rupture holes in the CSST, resulting in leaks and fires in some cases. There has
even been property damage from such unfortunate events. This scenario begs two
key questions, among others. Should a longstandingNECrule be changed to
include requirements for protection against lightning events? This author thinks
not. NFPA 780Standard for Installation of Lightning Protection Systemsprovides
information about lightning protection for buildings and structures. NFPA 54
provides rules related to installation and performance of gas piping systems and
gas equipment.
Standard Scopes
The scopes of NFPA 54 and NFPA 70 are not the same and address different
important issues. TheNECrules address fire and shock hazards for persons and
property. The bonding requirements for other metal piping systems in
theNECprotect the piping system from the electrical system within the building.
NFPA 54 covers safety and performance of gas piping systems, including
addressing safety concerns. The recent revisions in NFPA 54 Section 7.13 result in
new bonding requirements in response to serious issues related to CSST piping
system failures and losses from subsequent gas leaks. NFPA 54 includes the new,
more restrictive bonding requirements that are an effort to protect specific piping
systems that are known to be vulnerable to the effects of lightning. Since the
scopes of each standard are different, they must complement each other to achieve
effective safety. One area where the documents are similar has to do with
following product manufacturer’s installation instructions. Both standards include
this requirement, so coordination of the work and enforcement of the rules is
necessary to ensure the desired outcome of satisfying both standards.
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be energized so that any imposing circuit cannot energize the piping system. The
bonding required by 250.104(B) also results in the potential of metal gas piping
being at or near the potential of ground (the earth). TheNECrules are not intended
to provide assured and complete protection against lightning events. As safety
standards change, new requirements are incorporated to address substantiated
problems with viable solutions. The changes in industry standards have to
accompany education and training related to new safety requirements.
Contractors and enforcement have responsibilities to learn the requirements and
implement them in their work. Enforcers impacted by the bonding requirements
in each of the documents should coordinate the installation and work out who
inspects, what rules apply, and who does the work. Once this dialog occurs, the
approach taken by the code enforcers can be passed on to the contractors.
Summary
Problems have been identified with CSST systems being installed and used for gas
systems in buildings. There are current efforts in motion to revise the NEC to deal
with apparent lightning protection issues related to CSST piping. Is the NEC rule
broken, and do the proposed revisions actually provide the needed solutions?
Many in the electrical industry currently have more questions than answers
relative to these issues. While one thing is certain, when a jurisdiction adopts a
code, that code should be enforced and applied in the field. This article provides a
closer look at some current activity relative to proposed changes to bonding
requirements for CSST metal gas piping systems. These problems did not exist
before CSST entered the market. This should in no way be interpreted that CSST is
an inferior product or that there are problems with some varieties of this product,
but one has to wonder if this changing of current rules is the answer or if there is a
problem with some CSST products. In reflection, the purpose of theNECis the
protection of persons and property from the hazards arising from the use of
electricity. Lightning protection requirements are clearly beyond the purpose and
scope of theNEC. When revising requirements in industry safety standards,
consideration must be given to how the scopes of such standards are impacted and
whether or not the proposed revisions to the contained requirements are a viable
solution to the real problem. These are some of the real challenges that members
of NFPA technical committees face when carrying out their responsibilities to
produce the best codes possible each revision cycle; a true and often difficult work
in progress. The best approach at this time is to verify what the local inspection
authority is requiring regarding bonding metal gas piping and meet those
requirements, which are now often inconsistent with theNECminimums.
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