propane lines in slab?

lamoncha lover · #1 02/08/10, 12:30 AM

As always I come here first.
we will be having the plumber put the water drainage lines in , the slab to be poured soon. I was wondering about propane lines. Do they go in the slab? The slab will have radiant in floor heat. Doesn't sound like a safe DIY project to me....but who does it? I would like a propane stove , a line for a fireplace and propane hot water heater and boiler for radiant floor heating. and possibly for a gas dryer..not sure on that yet.
Who would a person call? thanks

Windy in Kansas · #2 02/08/10, 01:34 AM

No. Line must be brought above ground before entering house.

Old Vet · #3 02/08/10, 01:41 AM

Any lines you run in a slab should be deep enough to be out of the concrete and be run in conduit so that thy can be removed and replaced. Gas lines should be above the slab and run through the walls before finished like any pluming. The plumier is the ones that will run the pipe.

Beeman · #4 02/08/10, 08:36 AM

I would run the gas through the wall. Also be sure when the plumber installs the pipes that he pressure tests them before the concrete covers them. Also be sure the toilet flange pipe and everything else is in the proper place because once the slab is poured it's too late. I would also want a cleanout just outside the building as you won't have any access beside it.

NCLee · #5 02/08/10, 02:20 PM

Also check your local building codes. In some places the requirements are that all propane work has to be done by someone certified to do so. That person will know what can and can't be done. It would be a shame if you fail to pass inspection AFTER the concrete is poured. Jackhammers to correct, in order to pass inspection is something that you don't want to do.

Even if you don't have inspections and local codes, it's better to at least get the advice from a pro when dealing with propane.

Lee

JUllom · #6 02/08/10, 05:37 PM

Plumber does the gas and propane lines - at least in our area

ronbre · #7 02/08/10, 06:53 PM

our son put in radiant in floor heat in his basement slab and it worked well..yes absolutely have them super pressure and leak tested before pouring !!

lamoncha lover · #8 02/08/10, 08:22 PM

I willask the plumber if he is familiar with propane lines. I can see putting it inthe wall..but the range is going to be an island range..and there will be no wall to put it in. It will have to go unerground or overhead....
everything else would be easily installed in the wall.

**GREENCOUNTYPETE** · #9 02/08/10, 08:47 PM

it would be a very odd plumber to not be familiar with gas lines , we ran them bellow the concrete then when they came up it was steel pipe

some times you make a box s that no concrete gets poured where all of your lines run this way if you have shifting it doesn't put stress on the lines , most lines are put below the concrete and covered in sand so they can shift and such as needed

as somone else metioned a conduit is a good idea that way a new line can be pulled if there is a problem and always preasure test i would bring them up to 100 psi with the air compressor and then let it stand over night when i got back the next day and i was still at 100 psi i knew we were good

all my work with a plumber was years ago so materials and procedures may have changed , we still ran everything in black steel pipe if it was above grade for gas , now i see yellow flex pipe in new houses , i would spend hours threading pipe now i don't know .

gusty60 · #10 02/08/10, 08:55 PM

Propane or natural gas can never be run below a concrete slab. It used to be allowed in certain circumstances, in a special vented conduit, but no longer.

Terminus · #11 02/09/10, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gusty60

Propane or natural gas can never be run below a concrete slab. It used to be allowed in certain circumstances, in a special vented conduit, but no longer.

I just scanned NFPA 54 and 58 and couldn't find anything prohibiting gas piping in concrete, in fact NFPA 54, 7.3.5.2 specifically addresses gas piping embedded in concrete slabs. Is there a source you can cite for your opinion?

Chixarecute · #12 02/09/10, 05:14 PM

FYI - you can use your radiant heat boiler to heat your water - just run an extra loop into an Amtrol Boiler Mate (or similar). One less item needing gas line, venting, and combusting.

lamoncha lover · #13 02/09/10, 05:53 PM

chix I wondered how that would work. I have also seenhow you can use a hot water heater,,certain ones to do the radiant heat.
terminus..where could I find that info
thanks guys.

Chixarecute · #14 02/09/10, 10:05 PM

It works great! The Boiler mate already has a spiral loop running inside of it that the radiant loop hooks into, then the water is piped into (and out of) the Boiler mate cavity. I believe DH has a thermostat hooked to the Boilermate, as well. Never a shortage of hot water - two showers and the washer at the same time.

Chixarecute · #15 02/09/10, 10:07 PM

Actually, our boiler is a commercial water heater. Off label use. It has worked very well for us, we've been using it 8 winters.

lamoncha lover · #16 02/09/10, 11:40 PM

what model/kind did you get? thanks for the info. Just gonna have pex ;aid now..so when we can afford to hook up we will be ready

Chixarecute · #17 02/10/10, 12:05 PM

Here's the thing to know - if it's not being installed by a licensed plumber, the manufacturer warranty is (usually) null & void. Especially if you are using it for "off-label" use.

Having said that, DH is an engineer, ordered all the manuals & CD's from Wirsbo (I think it is now Uphonor), designed & installed the system, and ordered all the parts through a plumbing & electrical distributor - and distributors don't like to sell to the average Joe off the street - they sell to businesses that have accounts. So for the best price, you have to know someone.

ETA: pm'd you information

lamoncha lover · #18 02/10/10, 08:39 PM

thanks chixa