Brazing copper gas line

[gear junkie]

Never dealt with copper gas lines so why do they need to be brazed? Gas is at a much lower pressure, so what gives?

[Nevada plumber]

I was always told it has to do with the melting temp of the solder. You can't have a large fire go and melt a solder joint on a gas line. That would just make the fire that much worse.

[drtyhands]

I would think it has to do with the strength of the joint.

[drtyhands]

I was always told it has to do with the melting temp of the solder. You can't have a large fire go and melt a solder joint on a gas line. That would just make the fire that much worse.

I like your thought better:o

p.s. where were you three minutes ago,I thought we were supposed to be watching out for each other

[oldslowchevy]

http://www.copper.org/applications/fuelgas/rg-fittings.html

here is all i could find, i hope it helps some

[plumberscrack]

Good find OSC, we will make a plumber out of you yet :D

Some gas has sulpher in it. Mixed with phosphorus that creates a reaction with tin in the solder and breaks down the joint. Thats why the brazing alloy has to contain less than 0.05% phosphorus.

[oldslowchevy]

Good find OSC, we will make a plumber out of you yet :D


lol you wish, as long as there is wood to give my splinters i don't need no stinkin pipes:p

[PLUMBER RICK]

not too sure if the melting temperature is a factor as propress is approved for gas.

same fittings as the propress for water, just a different o-ring is used.

there is an older neighborhood in the are i work and their underground gas service is copper with soldered joints.

makes installing a seismic gas shut off valve fun.

rick.

[westcoastplumber]

Good find OSC,

rick, question, I have yet to run into the copper, I am curious how one would install a EQ valve on a copper line.

I would guess, braze on an MIP and install the valve?? Now you had stated the gas company supply is copper, EQ valves cannot be installed on the service side, but the customers side, so does this mean there is copper going into the house??

[Hondahead]

The melting point is a factor up here. Soldered joints and Propress are prohibited for use on gas.

5.9.9 (c) brazing with a material that has a melting point exceeding 1000F

[kennethsullivan]

Soo the concensus seems to be brazing, thanks guys, and I will try to spell copper correctly from now on. I have never braized before, soo what do I need as for as torch and materials. I would like to install a union where I cut the pipe soo that in six to ten years from now, and it is time to change the water heater again, I would not have to go through this again.

[oldslowchevy]

http://www.thefabricator.com/RepairFieldWelding/RepairFieldWelding_Article.cfm?ID=1569

check that link out it might help you and a few others

[gear junkie]

http://www.smithequipment.com/products/pdfpages/page12.pdf

This is the torch setup I have. I used to use Victor but Bill turned me on to this set. Very good for it's intended purpose. For brazing rod, I use Stay Silv-15 by Harris. Needs no flux.

[Hondahead]

kennethsullivan

Your best bet is to use flared joints. A decent flaring tool can be had for under $50. Brazing is not a task for the novice plumber or DIYer.

[HVAC HAWK]

is all this for natural or propane

up here we cant use copper for natural gas but we can on propane ,only the propane companies and some plumbers use copper bu we and a lot of others use black pipe or gastite pipe

[PLUMBER RICK]

rick, question, I have yet to run into the copper, I am curious how one would install a EQ valve on a copper line.

I would guess, braze on an MIP and install the valve?? Now you had stated the gas company supply is copper, EQ valves cannot be installed on the service side, but the customers side, so does this mean there is copper going into the house??

the gas meters are at the curb and the service to the house is copper. the line is underground copper and above ground steel.

as the line turns up, the line is cut to allow the valve and then reconnected to the house line in steel.

just don't try to unscrew the riser from the copper. it will break off:eek:


cut the coper and rework it with a new adapter, brass nipple and scotch coat riser.

rick.

[drtyhands]

Good find OSC,

rick, question, I have yet to run into the copper, I am curious how one would install a EQ valve on a copper line.

I would guess, braze on an MIP and install the valve?? Now you had stated the gas company supply is copper, EQ valves cannot be installed on the service side, but the customers side, so does this mean there is copper going into the house??
The entire house's gas system is ran in copper under the slab,same as potable water except for the fact that the one that I saw had soldered joints at the slab line.The only reason I was out there was to look where the concrete saw had cut through the copper immediately below the concrete.The thing I couldn't figure out was the 1 1/4 had fittings under slab but everything under that size was manifolded above slab then back down and to specific fixture.