Is this LPG Service Feeder Installed Correctly?

Here is a link to some basic information, the gist of which, stresses the involvement of the authority having jurisdiction.

http://www.propane101.com/index.htm

Hope this is of some help.

Unredundant,

Thanks for the link. That is one that I had not seen during my Google searches.

It did explain why the regulator is at the house rather than the tank.

As far as the service feeder, I have looked at some of my neighbor's installations and some have sleeves some don't, some have copper pipe and some have some type of plastic tubing (poly pipe?).

I am going to check with the AHJ which I assume will be the county inspector on this installation and see what he thinks.

Thanks again and GA for your help!

KJK

Sleeve or not?

I only keep it practical. Local regulations can or cannot require it. No steel! Copper can be affected by chemicals inside your soil and can be pitted and perforated on the long term. I had a 3/8 red copper pipe buried for more than 30 years without problems. Where I live now copper lasts only 5 years in the ground. When your soil is moist and acid or base it can happen fast.

The regulator

In general your pressure in the pipe from the tank is higher than what you need behind the regulator.

For this reason:

When the regulator is closer to the user, you will experience less pressure drop and have more gas available and a more stable performance.

dvmdsc,

Thanks for the input. I had a feeling that the soil PH would have something to do with the rate of deterioration.

Thanks again - KJK

hotwater,

As far as the regulator, yes, after more research and the answers here, I believe the regulator is better located at the house side.

Excellent idea of having spare tubing and fittings on hand. During freezing weather (when the ground is frozen), I could probably route the copper line above grade temporarily as the area between the tank and house is low/no traffic.

Thanks for your input - KJK

I have been involved with natural gas and Propane for over the last thirty years.

Your first source of information will be the gas code for your jurisdiction

The code that I use requires a minimum of 18" deep and protected from objects. I line the trench with crush stone screenings, lay the line and cover with more screenings, than back fill.

There is copper tubing that is approved for direct burial. It is usually grade K with a PVC jacket.

The regulator is an issue with me. My code states that the vent of the regulator shall be above to projected snow line. either it should be moved or a snorkel should run from the vent and up. If the regulator gets buried in snow than it may freeze and bad things will happen.

Most of the install I have dealt with use two regulators. One at the tank set at about 25 PSI and one at the house set at 18" WC. This allows greater capacity for the buried line, especially on long runs.

It looks like your tank is sitting just on the ground with out any foundations. Is this correct and does follow your local code?

Icarus,

Hey thanks for the input. The tank is on small concrete footings, they are not visible in the photos though.

As far as the regulator, the one by the house does have the potential to be covered in snow, I will have to look into this further.

I had to do some hand digging this past summer for sidewalk installation and electric utility relocation. I exposed the copper line after VERY careful hand digging. It was surrounded by dirt only in this small area I uncovered so I can only assume the entire length was backfilled with dirt only. The copper line is not PVC covered.

Thanks again - KJK