Plastic gas pipe to boiler!

eveares

eveares

Joined
28 Jul 2012
Messages
1,351
Reaction score
55
Location
Surrey
Country
United Kingdom
Not technically a disaster, but felt this was the most appropriate section of the forum.

Just a story from a now retired plumber in my family. A long time ago, a plumber in my extended family (now retired) got a call from someone saying they could smell gas in their home. When he got there, he found out that some cowboy previously had run the gas supply from the meter to the boiler in plastic pipe and lots of compression fittings under the floor.

Not sure of the exact details, but the only other thing I remember is that the plumber in my extended family unsurprisingly had to replace the whole pipe with copper.

Regards: Elliott.
 
Put it on this thread I created, to catalogue all the 'dodgy jobs' we've encountered!
www.diynot.com

Bodges, scrimping and Friday afternoon jobs

In doing various (smalish) jobs on the house, I've discovered a few 'funnies' presumably from when the house was constructed 72 years ago. - Partition wall between bathroom and bedroom built with bricks on their sides - Concrete fence post used as lintel - Metal advertising board (circa 1940s)...
www.diynot.com www.diynot.com
 
eveares said:
Not technically a disaster, but felt this was the most appropriate section of the forum.

Just a story from a now retired plumber in my family. A long time ago, a plumber in my extended family (now retired) got a call from someone saying they could smell gas in their home. When he got there, he found out that some cowboy previously had run the gas supply from the meter to the boiler in plastic pipe and lots of compression fittings under the floor.

Not sure of the exact details, but the only other thing I remember is that the plumber in my extended family unsurprisingly had to replace the whole pipe with copper.

Regards: Elliott.
Click to expand...
i've seen the use of plastic pipes everywhere now. such disregard for safety.
There is a street near my home where they are replacing the old gas pipe network into old properties and they are using plastic instead of iron...and this is the gas network installer....shocking
I also pass a stretch where they are replacing the water main (iron) and again they are using plastic.
How can this be allowed...and by the so called experts... !
shocking
 
old duffer said:
i've seen the use of plastic pipes everywhere now. such disregard for safety.
There is a street near my home where they are replacing the old gas pipe network into old properties and they are using plastic instead of iron...and this is the gas network installer....shocking
I also pass a stretch where they are replacing the water main (iron) and again they are using plastic.
How can this be allowed...and by the so called experts... !
shocking
Click to expand...

What's unsafe about plastic pipes?!
 
They would probably be safe in your home if run in one single length, from meter to final point. If joints are needed then I would imagine solvent weld, as opposed to compression joints, would be much safer.
But I am not a plumber/gas fitter so could be entirely wrong.
 
conny said:
They would probably be safe in your home if run in one single length, from meter to final point.
Click to expand...

More chance of melting, anywhere along their length, should there be a fire. Copper pipe is only at risk in a low temperature fire, where the soldered joints are.
 
I was more confused about old duffers reaction to plastic water pipes...
 
average house fire temp is 820 degrees C.
Solder melts @ 450 but here is the important bit....autoignition of methane is at 537 degrees.
so the solder on the pipes will have been compromised and the the gas will autoignite regardless of if you use copper or steel pipes
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top