High Pressure Gas Piping Applications
Should my gas system be considered for high pressure gas piping applications? Standard inside gas pressure in the North West is set at a mere 1/2 psi. All of the standard gas sizing charts are designed for this standard low pressure, as well as all gas appliances. (Yes, this means the giant bombs from shooting a gas line in the movies are fake). It’s the combination of adding air and reducing orrifice size at the appliance that makes the gas pressure appear to increase at the cooktop burners for example. It’s the exact same science as playing with the nozzle on a water hose. Tightening the nozzle makes the water stream spray harder, we all know that. But you didn’t actually increase the pressure, you just forced the water thru a smaller orifice. Gas Appliances all have air mixture valves that add to the equation. The gas inside of your gas lines does not have a high enough oxygen content to produce the bright flames you see on your gas cooktop burners.
So what is a good example of high pressure gas piping applications? Where BTU load will require large oversized trunklines and excessive diameter gas pipe throughout the job, a 2lb system can be utilized. For smaller BTU loads, a high pressure system is not cost effective due to the cost of the Gas Regulators required before each appliance to bring the pressure back down to 1/2 psi. In legitimate high BTU load gas piping applications, the material costs and labor savings more than make up for the costs of the regulators. When sizing a gas job, available BTU’s drop steadily with distance, so excessively long gas runs can be another good choice for high pressure systems. Consult your local Gas Piping professional to find out which system best suits your needs.
High pressure Gas Piping Applications, are they safe? Do I really want “High Pressure Gas” in my home?? Remember, even “High Pressure” is only 2psi. If your blowing up a balloon for your child, you likely just went past 2psi. We do take extra safety precautions when testing & installing high pressure gas piping applications. We air test the lines at more than 3 times the pressure required for testing standard pressure line, even using a different test gauge that has a higher rating. We install gas valves with a 60psi failure rate. We install the sane valves & black iron schedule gas pipe as what auto shops use for their compressed air systems, which operate at around 140psi.
Both standard pressure and high pressure gas piping applications are extremely safe when installed & tested by licensed and fully trained professionals.
Jeremiah Doty, owner J&M Services
360-263-5600 Washington Customers 503-680-0195 Oregon Customers
