# sediment traps **URL:** \ **Category:** Plumbing Inspections\ **Created:** [February 28, 2012, 12:36pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133 "2012-02-28T12:36:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jjimenez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@jjimenez](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjimenez)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 12:36pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/1 "2012-02-28T12:36:07Z")
I called out a furnace that did not have a sediment trap after the shut off valve.The HVAC guy said it did not needed one because the gas piping rose so high off the ground that it was useless. Any one ever heard that before? ---
**Author:** ![clambert2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@clambert2](https://forum.nachi.org/u/clambert2)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 1:30pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/2 "2012-02-28T13:30:06Z")
Most manufacturers require them regardless . State that one is needed let him say one is not in his letterhead and if anything happens he is the one who will pay ---
**Author:** ![jpope](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jpope/32/59425_2.png) [@jpope](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jpope)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/3 "2012-02-28T15:15:39Z")
Of all the possible reasons why it may not be necessary to have a sediment trap, this would not be one. ---
**Author:** ![kbrittain](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kbrittain/32/59414_2.png) [@kbrittain](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kbrittain)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 3:56pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/4 "2012-02-28T15:56:09Z")
> [@clambert2](#): > > Most manufacturers require them regardless . State that one is needed let him say one is not in his letterhead and if anything happens he is the one who will pay Let us know if he will do this or not. ---
**Author:** ![jfunderburk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jfunderburk/32/187920_2.png) [@jfunderburk](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jfunderburk)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/5 "2012-02-28T16:47:19Z")
Code doesn’t provide that exception. ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 5:41pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/6 "2012-02-28T17:41:09Z")
It is best to be at the appliance however it can be on the final drop to the appliance according to the CSA installation code. ---
**Author:** ![jfunderburk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jfunderburk/32/187920_2.png) [@jfunderburk](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jfunderburk)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/7 "2012-02-28T17:50:08Z")
> [@kwood](#): > > It is best to be at the appliance however it can be on the final drop to the appliance according to the CSA installation code. Should be after the appliance shut-off by the common sense rule. Otherwise, it couldn’t be cleaned out without shutting off gas at the main. ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/8 "2012-02-28T17:56:29Z")
Yes I agree with that reasoning. ---
**Author:** ![jjimenez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@jjimenez](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjimenez)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/9 "2012-02-28T18:53:31Z")
Thanks guys. I asked if he would put that writing and he said yes. He thinks I am an idiot for writing it up. Oh well I did my job. ---
**Author:** ![jfunderburk](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/jfunderburk/32/187920_2.png) [@jfunderburk](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jfunderburk)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/10 "2012-02-28T19:04:35Z")
> [@jjimenez](#): > > Thanks guys. I asked if he would put that writing and he said yes. He thinks I am an idiot for writing it up. Oh well I did my job. Tell him he’s incompetent. 2009 IRC G2419.4 (408.4) Sediment trap. Where a sediment trap is not incorporated as 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. The sediment trap shall be either a tee fitting having a capped nipple of any length installed vertically in the bottom-most opening 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. Commentary: In addition to the code requirement, most appliance manufacturers require the installation of a sediment trap (dirt leg) to protect the appliance from debris in the gas. Note that a drip leg is not the same as a sediment trap (see Section G2419.2). Sediment traps are necessary to protect appliance gas controls from the dirt, soil, pipe chips, pipe joint tapes and compounds and construction site debris that enter the piping during installation and repairs. Hazardous appliance operation could result from debris entering gas controls and burners. Despite the fact that utilities supply clean gas, debris can enter the piping prior to and during installation on the utility side of the system and on the customer side. Sediment traps are designed to cause the gas flow to change direction 90 degrees (1.57 rad) at the sediment collection point, thus causing the solid or liquid contaminants to drop out of the gas flow [see Commentary Figure G2419.4(1)]. The nipple and cap should not be placed in the branch opening of a tee fitting because this would not create a change in direction of flow and would allow debris to simply pass/jump over the capped nipple collection point. Commentary Figure G2419.4(2) illustrates a relatively ineffective sediment trap, however, such configurations are not expressly prohibited by this section. The code does not specify a minimum length for the capped nipple, therefore, it could be from a close nipple on up. Three to 6 inches (76 to 152 mm) is the customary length. The capped nipple must be in a vertical plane to allow the sediments to fall in by gravity. The sediment trap must be as close to the appliance inlet as practical to be able to capture sediment from all of the piping upstream of the appliance connection. The sediment trap must be downstream of the appliance shutoff valve to allow the trap to be serviced after closing the upstream shutoff valve. Manufactured sediment traps are available that have the configuration of a straight section of pipe and are equipped with cleanout openings. Although it would be wise to install sediment traps at all appliance connections, they are not mandated by code for gas lights, ranges, clothes dryers and outdoor grills. These appliances are also susceptible to harm from debris in gas, especially ranges and clothes dryers, and the appliance manufacturer may require sediment traps where the code does not. The code’s logic is that these exempt appliances are manually operated rather than automatically operated; therefore, the user would be in attendance and aware of a problem. ---
**Author:** ![kwood](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/kwood/32/473_2.png) [@kwood](https://forum.nachi.org/u/kwood)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/11 "2012-02-28T19:11:42Z")
Too bad we can’t use this like you can Joe.☹ ---
**Author:** ![jjimenez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a87d85/32.png) [@jjimenez](https://forum.nachi.org/u/jjimenez)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 12:17am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/12 "2012-02-29T00:17:51Z")
Thanks Joe that really helps ---
**Author:** ![cevans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cevans/32/244194_2.png) [@cevans](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cevans)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 12:35am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/13 "2012-02-29T00:35:57Z")
> [@jjimenez](#): > > I called out a furnace that did not have a sediment trap after the shut off valve.The HVAC guy said it did not needed one because the gas piping rose so high off the ground that it was useless. Any one ever heard that before? Just ask him to point that exception out for you in the manufacturer’s installation specifications. ---
**Author:** ![rcooke](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rcooke/32/57038_2.png) [@rcooke](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rcooke)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2012, 2:53am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/sediment-traps/67133/14 "2012-02-29T02:53:51Z")
**[http://www.questargas.com/brochures/59060\_401.pdf](http://www.questargas.com/brochures/59060_401.pdf)**]([http://www.questargas.com/brochures/59060\_401.pdf](http://www.questargas.com/brochures/59060_401.pdf)) 136 pages of good info … Roy **Questar Gas Company** [FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman]Good Practices for Gas Piping and Appliance Installations [/FONT][/FONT]