Customer Owned Piping

NOTICE

192.16 CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION -CUSTOMER OWNED PIPING

SCUD is responsible for the main gas line at the road and the gas piping running up to and including the gas meter. The customer is responsible for all gas piping from the outlet of the meter up to and including the gas appliances.

MAINTENANCE

  • The customer is to maintain all piping after the outlet of the meter to prevent corrosion, leaks or damage. 
  • The customer is to repair any potentially unsafe condition found with the piping after the outlet of the meter.
  • Customer owned buried gas piping should be: 
    • Periodically inspected for leaks.
    • Periodically inspected for corrosion if piping is metallic. Metallic pipe must be cathodically protected to prevent corrosion. SCUD may be contacted for cathodic protection options if needed. 
    • Repaired if a potentially unsafe condition is found.
  • When excavating near buried gas piping, the piping should be located in advance, and the excavation should be done by hand. SCUD is responsible for locating its own lines after TN 811 has been properly notified. The customer is responsible for locating their own lines. The installer, plumber, or heating contractor may be able to assist with locating and repairing the customer’s gas piping.

INSTALLATION

  • No mechanical fittings are allowed underground.
  • Gas piping must not be in contact with any chemicals that may cause corrosion or damage.
    1. Black Iron or Galvanized Pipe – CANNOT be installed underground (even if it is sleeved) or in contact with the ground or standing water.
    2. Copper Tubing – May be installed underground but all underground joints must be silver soldered.
    3. CSST (Corrugated Stainless-Steel Tubing):
      • May be used underground if sleeved in PVC or if direct burial CSST is used.
      • The installation must be done in accordance with manufacturer’s procedures.
      • No fittings may be installed underground.
    4. PE-Polyethylene (Plastic) — CANNOT be used above ground.
      • High or medium density PE pipe may be used but must be welded (fused).
      • The welder must be certified to weld which ever type of PE pipe is being used. SCUD is not qualified to weld medium density pipe.
      • Anode-less risers must be used to turn up out of the ground.
      • PE pipe shall not be installed under a building slab or building.
      • A tracer wire (minimum size #14) must be installed in the ditch with the pipe so the pipe can be located.

*Buried piping must be a minimum of 12 inches deep. Section 404 IFGC. For exception see 404 IFGC

*Buried gas piping shall not penetrate building foundation walls at any point below grade. Gas piping shall enter and exit a building at a point above grade and the annular space between the pipe and the wall shall be sealed. See Section 404 IFGC

*Natural gas installations completed prior to June 1, 2014 are grandfathered but black iron and galvanized pipe must be properly cathodically protected if it is to be in contact with the ground. See Section 404 IFGC. The owner is responsible to provide cathodic protection for any steel piping that is underground. SCUD may be contacted for cathodic protection options if needed.

*Propane switch outs are grandfathered, but the owner is responsible to provide cathodic protection for any black iron or galvanized piping that is underground. SCUD may be contacted for cathodic protection options if needed. A hold harmless must be signed for any piping that cannot be inspected.