Rec near gas vent

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Re: Rec near gas vent

yes there is a distance.I believe it is 10 feet.It is to prevent a spark setting it off.No it's not NEC but have ran into this problem
 
Re: Rec near gas vent

I recall a minimum distance from a regulator of 36" to any devise or appliance that is capable of producing an arc, spark or flame. This was listed in an LP installer guide book that I received from the local distributor. I have set up a program to double inspect installations and approval prior to connection from both agencies. I also thought the Fuel Gas Code addressed the location but could not find it in the International.
 
Re: Rec near gas vent

This may fall under a utility requirement or a building code. (I guess it wouldn't be a utility for LP, but it would be for natural gas). I think the usual language is that the vent must be so far away for "sources of ignition".

I think our local utility requires 18" away from a source of ignition. 10' seems very extreme. One could also debate that an outlet is not normally a source of ignition, and it would not be likely to be emitting sparks at the same time that the LP guy is overpressurizing the tank.

In short, I think your AHJ is off his rocker.

Steve
 
Re: Rec near gas vent

There is nothing in nfpa 58 or the fuel gas code that requires this distance. I worked for amerigas for 4 years + and am very familiar with haz loc requirements. This guy is making it up as he goes.
 
Re: Rec near gas vent

Thanks for the follow up, Stew.

I have read through the 58 a couple of times, but I am hardly an authority on it (or anything else, for that matter). I sure didn't remember this being addressed though. :)

I agree....this guy is making it up as he goes.
 
Re: Rec near gas vent

i recall replacing wire to a/c at one house that had a/c disconnect & gas meter on same end of house. they were within 3 feet of each other. the a/c man & i smelled gas. owner called gas company & they came out, found leak, & tightened fittings on meter. i wondered if a spark from the disconnect could have ignited any gas from the leaking meter. wouldn't it have been better if these two were spaced farther apart or on opposite ends of house?
 
Re: Rec near gas vent

ok let me clearify it some.We were warned by an electrical inspector not to put our service on a wall near where the gas regulator was at on a house.The 10 foot part might have be mistake but memory says it was 10 feet.We had very limited space in this installation.This was like maybe 3 years ago.If his local AHJ says he can't then i would ask them to cite the code.
The hazard is there,only part not clear is distance needed

[ July 02, 2004, 10:38 PM: Message edited by: jimwalker ]
 
Re: Rec near gas vent

Originally posted by ronson:
i recall replacing wire to a/c at one house that had a/c disconnect & gas meter on same end of house. they were within 3 feet of each other. the a/c man & i smelled gas. owner called gas company & they came out, found leak, & tightened fittings on meter. i wondered if a spark from the disconnect could have ignited any gas from the leaking meter. wouldn't it have been better if these two were spaced farther apart or on opposite ends of house?
Click to expand...
How about no electricity in a structure with gas?
 
Re: Rec near gas vent

For lighter than air gases, the two "general" electrical area classification standards, NFPA 497 and API RP500, specify Division 1 to a 3' radius around a pressure relief vent. Then, depending on other factors such as system pressure, flow rate and volume, a Division 2 location extends out to a radius of 5', 10' or 15' from the vent.

Having said that, I could not find a specific reference in NFPA 30, 54, or 58 that addressed the installation. It could be in a mechanical code (although I doubt it) or a state or local regulation. I'd simply ask the AHJ what standard he is citing. I still have things to learn and its no shame not to know - only a shame not to learn.
 
Re: Rec near gas vent

hey scott, ha ha! how about NO structure after a/c man reinserts a/c disconnect plug into disconnect within 3 feet from leaking gas meter? jimwalker, come to think of it, the electrical service WAS on same end of house as gas meter. that might be double jeopardy!

[ July 07, 2004, 07:35 PM: Message edited by: ronson ]
 
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