
What is the best material for natural gas piping?
Where medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) natural gas pipe has been the standard for this industry in the past, HDPE pipe is the future and the ideal piping solution for your natural gas system. WL Plastics’ high performance PE4710 polyethylene pipe is the material of choice for natural gas distribution systems where pressures can reach 125 psi.
Can PE pipe be used for natural gas or propane?
I haven’t seen any PE pipe that can’t be used for either natural gas or propane. The differences in pressure between natural gas and propane at the house meter, to the house, is minimal at under one pound and measured in inches of water column. Most of my customers didn’t know that.
What is Pepe pipe?
PE pipe is pipe that’s made of polyethylene (PE). These pipes are made of thermoplastic material, which is produced by the polymerization of ethylene. PE pipe is made via a process known as extrusion, so it’s easy to produce pipes of different sizes.
What are polyethylene gas piping systems?
Polyethylene gas piping systems are specifically engineered and certified for the underground environment. To provide a true underground gas piping solution, Gastite® has partnered with Continental Industries, Inc. to offer PE tubing and components that assemble in minutes to form a complete underground gas piping system.

What does PE mean in pipe?
PolyethylenePolyethylene (PE) is a thermoplastic material produced from the polymerization of ethylene. PE plastic pipe is manufactured by extrusion in sizes ranging from ½" to 63". PE is available in rolled coils of various lengths or in straight lengths up to 40 feet.
How long does polyethylene gas pipe last?
The 50 year design basis and minimum service life for a PE pressure water or gas pipe systems is secured through the established standards ISO 90801 and ISO 121622.
Can PE gas pipe be used indoors?
Polyethylene (PE) is not approved for indoor use or for encasement in concrete slabs. Underground gas piping should be installed with sufficient clearance from any other underground structure to avoid contact, to allow for maintenance, and to protect against damage from proximity to other structures.
Can PE gas pipe be used above ground?
PE pipe provides unique joint integrity, toughness, flexibility, and low weight. These factors combine to make its use practical for many “above-ground” applications. This resilient material has been used for temporary water lines, various types of bypass lines, dredge lines, mine tailings, and fines-disposal piping.
Is PE gas pipe UV resistant?
WL Plastics PE2708 MDPE pipe is available in ½'' – 1.25'' CTS and ½” – 4'' IPS sizes and UV protected for outdoor storage up to 3 years per ASTM D2513.
Can Poly gas pipe be exposed?
No more than a few inches of the plastic gas pipe can be exposed between the end of the plastic pipe sleeve and its connection to the appliance or to a metal distribution pipe.
Which pipe is best for gas lines?
PVC PVC gas pipesPVC. PVC gas pipes work well for underground exterior gas lines because they're durable and resistant to corrosion. PVC pipes are an inexpensive solution, but some locations don't allow them as they can break during the installation process.
What is yellow gas pipe called?
HDPE pipe is less common is the gas industry and usually is intended for non-residential applications with high pressures (up to 125 psi). MDPE gas pipe is yellow in color, while HDPE pipe can be black, black with yellow stripe or black with a yellow outmost layer.
Can you use PVC pipe for natural gas?
1. PVC Pipe. PVC pipes will work well for natural gas lines and water supply. They are generally available in sizes of 10 feet and 20 feet, and they come in varying diameters.
Can PE pipe be exposed to sunlight?
Ultraviolet Exposure Polyethylene pipe utilized outdoors in above ground applications is subjected to extended periods of direct sunlight. The ultraviolet component in sunlight can produce a deleterious effect on the pipe unless the material is sufficiently protected.
Can PE pipe be used for propane?
PE piping is the only approved plastic piping under NFPA 58, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code, and is commonly used in the piping of liquefied petroleum gases (vapor LP-Gas).
What kind of pipe is used for natural gas underground?
carbon steel pipe. Steel piping is used for systems operating in excess of 1,000 psig (6,900 kPa) and delivering natural gas to locations in excess of 300 miles from the last compressor station. It is also used in many low-pressure aboveground distribution systems.
Can you use plastic pipe for natural gas?
Polyethylene (PE) gas piping is the most widely used plastic piping material for the distribution of natural gas. PE has a well-documented inertness to both the external soil environment and to natural gas.
What kind of pipes are used for gas lines?
Types of Gas Piping. The most common materials used to make gas piping are steel, black iron, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and copper.
What is the yellow plastic gas line called?
HDPE pipe is less common is the gas industry and usually is intended for non-residential applications with high pressures (up to 125 psi). MDPE gas pipe is yellow in color, while HDPE pipe can be black, black with yellow stripe or black with a yellow outmost layer.
What are old gas lines made of?
If it was prior to 1970, it is likely that the lines are bare steel whereas a newer town might have mains made of coated, protected steel or plastic. "We've got some pipes within our system that's closing in on 100 years old," said Plewa.
What is PE pipe?
Polyethylene (PE) plastic pipe and fittings are the main materials currently used in new medium- and low-pressure natural gas distribution systems and to repair older steel and cast iron systems. While PE has many advantages over steel in terms of corrosion resistance and ductility, its use nonetheless carries risk, especially near joints.
Why is polyethylene important?
Maintaining their integrity is critical to long-term use without incident. It is important to not only ensure that new products are fit for their intended use, but also to understand the effect of environmental factors during installation and use.
Is PE under stress finite?
As with steel, joining of PE pipe and fittings requires skilled workers following verified procedures. Unlike steel, PE under stress is known to have finite life as an unavoidable result of polymer physics.
Advantages of Using HDPE Pipe for Natural Gas Distribution
HDPE is the ideal natural gas pipe material for use in distribution systems for the following reasons:
HDPE Natural Gas Pipe From WL Plastics
At WL Plastics, we are the ideal supplier of high-quality HDPE piping for natural gas distribution systems. We are equipped with over two decades of experience manufacturing HDPE pipe, dedicated customer service, and 8 manufacturing facilities strategically located throughout the United States, all of which are ISO 9001:2015 certified.
What is HDPE pipe?
High-density polyethylene (HDPE), a plastic material, appears outside of plumbing supply shops in large, yellow rolls. Although typically reserved to industrial and commercial applications, some building codes allow the use of HDPE for residential gas piping. The most common type of HDPE gas piping is flexible; plumbers pull lengths of the pipe from its roll and weave it through a building's interior cavities. This flexibility greatly reduces installation time. In contrast to traditional iron gas pipe, which must be threaded at each end, HDPE pipe fittings usually attach to the ends of the pipe by compression. Although these labor-saving characteristics reduce the overall cost of HDPE installation, the base material tends to cost more than traditional iron piping. Also, HPDE's relative rarity might present additional permitting hurdles for the average homeowner. However, as a plastic material, HDPE is nearly immune to deterioration, whereas iron and steel eventually rust.
What is black iron pipe?
The traditional natural gas plumbing pipe, black iron pipe, safely encases a natural gas supply within a thick-walled, metal pipe. Accidental nail strikes don't easily puncture iron gas pipe, and it takes extreme force to bend or break the pipe. Popularity and a large supply make black iron pipe one of the most affordable gas plumbing pipe types.
Is black metal pipe used for natural gas?
By Shane Grey. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Black metal pipe is no longer the only distribution material for natural gas. Many municipalities allow builders to install alternative gas plumbing pipes, such as lightweight metals and plastics.
Can iron gas pipes rust?
Additionally, it's easy to find do-it-yourself information about iron gas pipe or plumbers who work with iron gas pipe. However, iron gas pipe installation is time-consuming; plumbers must cut the rigid pipe to specific dimensions and manually or automatically thread the pipe's ends. Additionally, black iron pipe exposed to moisture can rust ...
What kind of pipe can be used for natural gas?
What Kind Of Material Pipe Can Be Used For Natural Gas. 1. Household natural gas pipe. Made of high-quality PVC and synthetic materials, it is soft and elastic, safe and reliable, with good pressure resistance, good weather resistance and excellent sealing. High-quality raw materials produce no odor, strong bending ability and strong durability.
What is 40 chrome seamless pipe?
40 chrome seamless steel pipe is an economical section steel used as a pipeline for conveying fluid, such as conveying oil. Natural gas, gas, water and some solid pipes. 4.
Is it safe to use a metal hose for gas?
Since the gas metal hose can be displaced along with the movement of the earth's crust, it is safer for the gas source such as natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas to be connected to the gas pipe of the gas appliance.
What type of gas piping is used in a home?
So depending on your local code enforcement the most common type of gas piping, again, inside the home, is either CSST, black iron, or copper. CSST is more money but so easy to install. Requires simple tools no more complicated than a pipe cutter and a couple wrenches.
Do gas piping companies follow a national code?
They follow a national code, but they stick in little variables that have to be followed to get a final inspection approved. Code reinforcement personnel, for the most part, know the products used for gas piping and where they can be used.
Can you use PEX pipe for propane?
Can PEX Be Used For Natural Gas Or Propane Lines? Written by Chad Peterson in Need To Know. Yes you can, but because the terms PE and PEX have so often been used interchangeably it’s important to specify your intended use before purchasing polyethylene pipe for your project. I haven’t seen any PE pipe that can’t be used for ...
