I’ve been asleep for 8 years: so you don’t have to be. Sediment trap

[bnesbitt (Bryce Nesbitt)]

@lhenderson2

Man…I know what you are saying, but this is not a mistake to beat yourself over. The illustration is only outdated for California.

So I finally did go past the code check book, and look up the actual regulations. Lo and behold. It turns out the diagram used was right for the wrong reason. The code changed twice:

2013 CPC Section 1212.8 Sediment Trap
Where a sediment trap is not incorporated as a part of the appliance, a sediment trap shall be installed downstream of the appliance shutoff valve as close to the inlet of the appliance as practical at the time of appliance installation.

2016 CPC Section 1212.8 Sediment Trap
Where a sediment trap is not incorporated as a part of the appliance, a sediment trap shall be installed downstream of the appliance shutoff valve as close to the inlet of the appliance as practical, before the flex connector, where used at the time of appliance installation.

2019 CPC Section 1212.9 Sediment Trap
Where a sediment trap is not incorporated as a part of the appliance, a sediment trap shall be installed downstream of the appliance shutoff valve as close to the inlet of the appliance as practical, before the flex connector, where used at the time of appliance installation.

2022 CPC Section 1212.9 Sediment Trap
Where a sediment trap is not incorporated as a part of the appliance, a sediment trap shall be installed downstream of the appliance shutoff valve as close to the inlet of the appliance as practical at the time of appliance installation.

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That said +1 to " If the “guy” doing the works needs your schematic to do it right, he’s the wrong guy (I’ve said that so many times to agents calling me to ask about my report it’s not even funny)." from @mfellman

[wjones18 (William Jones, CMI®)]

@mwilles

Why can’t you use galvanized pipe?

You can use galvanized pipe, copper pipe or black pipe for gas. But black pipe is cheaper and the preferred material. Some people don’t know what they are doing, so just to identify the type of supply line it is, it’s best to keep it simple and standard. Hell I have never seen a copper gas supply, and who knows maybe it’s code compliant to use PEX for gas, but should we?

[lkage (Larry Kage, CMI)]

Fun read from an old thread:

@nkienitz

Just a head’s up and sharing only because I’ve been jumped on by folks smarter than me.

Review codes, definitions, etc. of: drip legs, dirt legs, sediment traps.

They are often used/interchanged all over the place and different parts of the country have their own familiarity.

Drip legs - Typically used when dealing with ‘wet’ gas and in code books they are used at/near/before the gas meter to a property.

Dirt legs - Used at appliance cutoff valve in front of manifold of same. More often a regional/local term.

Sediment trap - The actual correct term for the device (also known as a Dirt Leg) installed before the manifold at an appliance.

Like JP noted I review for manufacturer’s requirements. IRC has required them for years and years and years … in the D/FW market the local AHJs seldom enforce installation of same, yet they don’t ‘exclude’ them on their municipal documents.

IRC requires them at: Furnaces and Water Heaters.

Sediment Traps - From IRC:
IRC - International Residential Code: G2419.4 (408.4) Sediment trap. Where a sediment trap is not incorporated as part of the gas utilization equipment, a sediment trap shall be installed downstream of the equipment shutoff valve as close to the inlet of the equipment as practical. The sediment trap shall be either a tee fitting with a capped nipple in the bottom opening of the run of the tee or other device approved as an effective sediment trap. Illuminating appliances, ranges, clothes dryers and outdoor grills need not be so equipped.

Drip Legs - From IRC:
G2419.2 (408.2) Drips. Where wet gas exists, a drip shall be provided at any point in the line of pipe where condensate could collect. A drip shall also be provided at the outlet of the meter and shall be installed so as to constitute a trap wherein an accumulation of condensate will shut off the flow of gas before the condensate will run back into the meter.
Drips, often referred to as “drip legs,” are distinct from sediment traps. Modern gas supplies and distribution systems are typically dry; thus, drips would be required only when recommended by the gas supplier.
G2419.3 (408.3) Location of drips. Drips shall be provided with ready access to permit cleaning or emptying. A drip shall not be located where the condensate is subject to freezing.
A drip is not the same as a sediment trap; they are required for different reasons (see Section G2419.4).

What also makes my being “so picky” frustrating is that many manufacturers also label some of their drawings of the trap being installed adjacent to the water heater/furnace, etc… and they then ‘mis-label’ it as a “drip leg”.

Sometimes you just can’t win … and in the overall scheme of things it is a very small item. Not something to fall on a sword over.

Likely more than anyone wants to know.

And then there are the rules that govern CA. I can’t even begin to address those details.

Cheers,

Nolan Kienitz

[mfellman (Matt Fellman)]

I’ve seen a few copper supply installs on propane systems… usually, in a rural area far off the gas grid. I remember a rule/code, etc. about labeling the piping if other than black iron in areas outside of where the appliance that is serves is located. Basically, Joe the plumber should be smart enough to not assume a copper pipe holds water if the furnace it’s serving is in the same room.

[lhenderson2 (Lon Henderson, CMI)]

I’ve only seen copper gas line once. It has to be Type K. This line did not have any markings, so I wrote it up as “No evidence that copper pipe is rated for use as a gas pipe.”