The ‘Ol “12 Inch Spacing” Rule Again

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

But these are all POCO and other utility rules, not rules for anything customer owned.

I was just speculating that perhaps that is where the idea originated, was from folks being vaguely aware that someone somewhere had a rule about it.

And the justification I hear all the time is about electrical lines sparking leaking gas lines, and that’s not even the reasoning for the utility company rules, it was about access, not safety.

 

[electrofelon]

I was just speculating that perhaps that is where the idea originated, was from folks being vaguely aware that someone somewhere had a rule about it.

And the justification I hear all the time is about electrical lines sparking leaking gas lines, and that’s not even the reasoning for the utility company rules, it was about access, not safety.

Hear same thing about water lines: keep them away from electrical. Water + 'lectricity= bad

 

[Birken Vogt]

I was just speculating that perhaps that is where the idea originated, was from folks being vaguely aware that someone somewhere had a rule about it.

I'm quite sure that is where it originated.

Nobody can remember all the codes and standards. I always start with some vague idea and then have to research a few things on each new project.

 

[Joe.B]

The plumbing code (UPC based anyways) does have some restrictions for water and sewer sharing the same trench, I'd bet that's where the myth started and spread.

Chapter 12, fuel gas piping, just says "Underground gas piping shall be installed with sufficient clearance from any other underground structure to avoid contact therewith, to allow maintenance, and to protect against damage from proximity to other structures. In addition, underground plastic piping shall be installed with sufficient clearance or shall be insulated from any source of heat so as to prevent the heat from impacting the serviceability of the pipe."