Typically I find black iron pipe going into the furnace that is bonded, therefore the gas piping is considered to be “bonded” (IE: Gas lines are typically grounded if they are connected to an appliance like a gas range, water heater, or furnace.). Is this still the considered “bonded” if a flexible gas appliance connector (It’s not CSST) is present going into the furnace? I would appreciate any feedback and/or advice. Thank you!
FYI: I got the missing sediment (p-trap) and there is indeed a rubber grommet to protect the appliance connector.
You’re welcome. In general only certain brands of CSST require an additional bonding jumper. The EGC in the branch circuit supplying the gas appliance that may energize the pipe is all that is required to bond the gas piping.
I know what it says but the flexiable gas connector still wouldn’t pass around here, has to be black pipe. You also have to follow the listing of the connector. The gas connector listing and manufacturer’s installation instructions take precedence anyway. There is at least one manufacturer that doesn’t allow its gas connectors to enter the appliance.
Even if you put a rubber grommet on the knockout where the gas connector enters the furnace, the consistent vibrations of the furnace are only going to get worse as it ages. Pretty sure the grommet is not going to last 20+ years of vibrating and rubbing aginst the sharp edges of the hole. The rubber is also more likely to dry and fail especially if the furnace is located in an attic. Most people aslo don’t maintain their shit until something is broke…
Installing the appliance connector in a furnace is considered an appliance that is accessible. You can simply remove the door to the furnace with a few turns of a knob and access the connection. You must read the entire paragraph in the installation instructions, not just one sentence.
I have an orange comment for “protected flex line through cabinet” and a red comment for “unprotected flex line through cabinet”
Personally, I refer to code to back-up what I do call out, but not necessarily to find what I shouldn’t put in the report. In this case, I agree with @yzhang, and I think some of my clients would appreciate the information on protected flex line penetrations. Not very hard for a plumber to add some rigid pipe and avoid that nightmare scenario, after all.
We just discussed that in this thread No shut off switch for furnace - #68 by rmeier2
Apparently the electricians here do not think that a furnace has any vibration. As a result it is not eligible to be powered by a flexible cord. I don’t think they’ve ever installed a blower motor or used one on the floor of the shop for cool air in the summer (would walk across the floor slowly).
Wouldn’t fly around here. Agents will rip code to shreds (something about somebody’s grandfather). Hard sell with contractors if the AHJ passed it. might sound OK to buyers until one of the two corrects it. If it’s not done right you need to be able to call it out as a safety issue.
All sentences in the paragraph are additional qualifiers and requirements. This means that BOTH “Connector is for use in accessible locations only” and “DO NOT install connector inside an appliance.” apply. Remember, this is the manufacturer’s requirements with regards to access not strictly the IFGC’s definition for “access (to)”. The manufacturer states the extra requirement of “DO NOT install connector inside an appliance.”
Also, there is the “DO NOT route connector in close proximity to a flame (e.g. gas log).” requirement in the same paragraph. This requirement for access is manufacturer only and doesn’t show up in the IFGC.
In fact, if you turn off the gas logs. The logs and support etc can be easily removed to acess the gas connector. This would easily meet the IFGC’s definition of “access (to)” no? This would even meet the manufacturer’s own requirements of “Connector is for use in accessible locations only” as well. So, why make this requirement? If we’re talking protection from corrosion it would make sense, but this paragraph deals with access and as you pointed out that it has to be included together as a whole.
Also, some Gas furnace manufacturers directly state in their installation manuals that black iron pipe must be used inside the cabinet even if local codes allow usage of flexible gas appliance connectors.
If you look at the installation instructions for both dormont and brasscraft gas connectors, you actually find that the manufacturers want the gas appliance connector installation to meet the NFGC(national fuel gas code) which is written by the NFPA(National Fire Protection Association) not the IFGC(International Fuel Gas Code) which is written by the ICC(International Code Council). The NFGC actually has a protection against thermal damage as part of its requirements. Would installing the flexible gas connector inside the cabinet of the gas furnace while exposed to the burners, metal inducer fan, and B-vent connection meet this protection from thermal damage?
That’s what always happens. I’ve never called anything deficient because of code. I use my reasonable judgement and professional opinion to identify and explain deficiencies as defined by the state of Texas.
I’m not the one who brought up code, btw. I mostly wanted to point out that just because code allows something, doesn’t necessarily mean I won’t call it deficient. At the end of the day, like you point out, you have to be able to explain yourself on your own.
