6
TANKS AND PIPING FOR PROPANE GAS
INSTALLATIONS
WARNING
To prevent death, personal injury or property
damage due to fire or explosion caused by
a propane gas leak, install a gas detecting
warning device. Since rust can reduce the
level of odorant in propane gas, a gas
detecting warning device is the only reliable
way to detect a propane gas leak. Contact a
local propane gas supplier about installing
a gas detecting warning device.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Propane gas conversion
kits must be installed to convert units to propane
gas. See Specification Sheet for kit part number
for this model.
All propane gas equipment must conform to the safety
standards of the National Board of Fire Underwriters (See
NBFU Manual 58).
For satisfactory operation, propane gas supply pressure
must be 10 inch W.C. at the unit manifold with all gas
appliances in operation. Maintaining proper gas pressure
depends on three main factors:
1. Vaporization rate, which depends on (a) temperature of
the liquid, and (b) wetted surface area of the container
or containers.
2. Proper pressure regulation.
3. Pressure drop in lines between regulators, and between
second stage regulator and the appliance. Pipe size
required will depend on length of pipe run and total load
of all appliances.
Complete information regarding tank sizing for vaporization,
recommended regulator settings and pipe sizing is available
from most regulator manufacturers and propane gas suppli-
ers.
Since propane gas will quickly dissolve white lead or most
standard commercial compounds, special pipe dope must
be used. Shellac base compounds resistant to the actions of
liquefied petroleum gases such as Gasolac, Stalactic, Clyde’s
or John Crane are satisfactory.
Please refer to Figure 3 for typical propane gas installations.
Figure 3
Typical Propane Gas Piping
Table 3
Propane Gas Pipe Sizing
WARNING
To prevent death, serious personal injury
or property damage due to fire or explosion
caused by a propane gas leak, install a gas
detecting warning device.
If the propane gas unit is installed in an
excavated area or a confined space, a
warning device is required due to:
• Propane gas is heavier than air and any
leaking gas can settle in any low areas
or confined spaces.
• Propane gas odorant may fade, making
the gas undetectable except with a
warning device.
If the presence of gas is suspected, follow
the instructions on Page 2 of this manual.