Sediment trap/Drip leg Needed?

I was on an inspection where the gas company is the installer of an exterior tankless gas water heater. The gas line is run in ridgid copper and propress fittings with a tee configuration to supply the water heater, could this be considered a drip leg? or should there be one right before the appliance as well? Thanks for the input.

Does it matter? Your first line says it all, “the gas company installed” The gas utility can set their own rules and they do. In Maryland a county inspector would then be required to sign off on a gas appliance installation. Was the installation approved by an AHJ? Modern gas supply is very clean compared to the past. Gas company policy may have changed to reflect that.

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Yes there should be a sediment trap. You have two other defects depending on your jurisdiction.

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It looks like the relief valve extension pipe was reduced, also.

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Can you use propress fittings on a gas line?

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You got one of the other defects Larry nice job!

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Yes, you can use a press fittings on a gas line. I’ve installed a ton at the Intel chip plant for years containing much nastier gas than natural gas.

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Clearance from the relief valve to the receptacle.

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Thank you for the responses.

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None of it is going to work, not for now. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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JR, correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that clearance applies to the distance from the relief valve, not the meter.

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You are correct.

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Yes, thanks, Brian. Edited… :slight_smile:

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No that is not a sediment trap and yes, it needs one "as close to the equipment as practical “after” the service valve. A “drip leg” is for wet gas and should not be installed where exposed to freezing conditions.
Don’t miss the clearance from the meter/regulator to ignition sources. 3’ from regulator vent if memory serves me correctly.

The TPR tube clearance to ground?

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The flexible pipe termination is not secured either.

You could make that argument. I was going to go with freeze protection. Why insulate the PEX and not the brass? That brass will crack when frozen before the PEX.

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Here they use that foam wrap to protect the pex from sunlight. (which will not last long, and then its exposed)
I recommend painting

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Larry -
What we know: A sediment trap is required. We know what a sediment trap looks like (as it would have a clean-out cap). What we do not know is if the tankless unit has its own built-in sediment trap (which may be referred to as a gas line filter in some of their manuals). Some Noritz and Navien models have the trap integrated. Maybe even Rinnai.
Anywho - I always point out a missing sediment trap, and recommend having it corrected or confirm that it is not required.
And ain’t it awesome how the plumber and the electrician got together and coordinated their rough-in work?:flushed:

Sediment traps and drip legs are not required in Colorado Springs. Local AHJs make up their own rules.