Page 44 - 2018_IFGC

CHAPTER 4

GAS PIPING INSTALLATIONS

User note:
About this chapter: Chapter 4 addresses all aspects of fuel gas piping including the allowed materials, design and sizing, piping support,
pressure requirements, controls, connections to appliances, installation requirements, purging and testing. Also addressed are motor vehicle
fuel dispensing systems. The overarching intent is to prevent gas leakage, overpressures and underpressures and prevent accidents.

SECTION 401 (IFGC) 401.9 Identification. Each length of pipe and tubing and
GENERAL each pipe fitting, utilized in a fuel gas system, shall bear the
401.1 Scope. This chapter shall govern the design, installa- identification of the manufacturer.
tion, modification and maintenance of piping systems. The Exceptions:
applicability of this code to piping systems extends from the 1. Steel pipe sections that are 2 feet (610 mm) and less
point of delivery to the connections with the appliances and in length and are cut from longer sections of pipe.
includes the design, materials, components, fabrication,
assembly, installation, testing, inspection, operation and 2. Steel pipe fittings 2 inches and less in size.
maintenance of such piping systems. 3. Where identification is provided on the product
packaging or crating.
401.1.1 Utility piping systems located within buildings.
Utility service piping located within buildings shall be 4. Where other approved documentation is provided.
installed in accordance with the structural safety and fire 401.10 Piping materials standards. Piping, tubing and fit-
protection provisions of the International Building Code. tings shall be manufactured to the applicable referenced stan-
401.2 Liquefied petroleum gas storage. The storage system dards, specifications and performance criteria listed in
for liquefied petroleum gas shall be designed and installed in Section 403 and shall be identified in accordance with Sec-
accordance with the International Fire Code and NFPA 58. tion 401.9.
401.3 Modifications to existing systems. In modifying or
adding to existing piping systems, sizes shall be maintained SECTION 402 (IFGS)
in accordance with this chapter. PIPE SIZING
401.4 Additional appliances. Where an additional appliance 402.1 General considerations. Piping systems shall be of
is to be served, the existing piping shall be checked to deter- such size and so installed as to provide a supply of gas suffi-
mine if it has adequate capacity for all appliances served. If cient to meet the maximum demand and supply gas to each
inadequate, the existing system shall be enlarged as required appliance inlet at not less than the minimum supply pressure
or separate piping of adequate capacity shall be provided.
required by the appliance.
401.5 Identification. For other than steel pipe, exposed pip- 402.2 Maximum gas demand. The volumetric flow rate of
ing shall be identified by a yellow label marked “Gas” in gas to be provided shall be the sum of the maximum input of
black letters. The marking shall be spaced at intervals not the appliances served.
exceeding 5 feet (1524 mm). The marking shall not be
required on pipe located in the same room as the appliance The total connected hourly load shall be used as the basis
served. for pipe sizing, assuming that all appliances could be operat-
ing at full capacity simultaneously. Where a diversity of load
401.6 Interconnections. Where two or more meters are can be established, pipe sizing shall be permitted to be based
installed on the same premises but supply separate consum- on such loads.
ers, the piping systems shall not be interconnected on the out-
let side of the meters. The volumetric flow rate of gas to be provided shall be
adjusted for altitude where the installation is above 2,000 feet
401.7 Piping meter identification. Piping from multiple (610 m) in elevation.
meter installations shall be marked with an approved perma-
nent identification by the installer so that the piping system 402.3 Sizing. Gas piping shall be sized in accordance with
supplied by each meter is readily identifiable. one of the following:
401.8 Minimum sizes. Pipe utilized for the installation, 1. Pipe sizing tables or sizing equations in accordance
extension and alteration of any piping system shall be sized with Section 402.4 or 402.5 as applicable.
to supply the full number of outlets for the intended purpose 2. The sizing tables included in a listed piping system’s
and shall be sized in accordance with Section 402. manufacturer’s installation instructions.
3. Other approved engineering methods.

2018 INTERNATIONAL FUEL GAS CODE ® 31
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