Plastic gas pipe to boiler!

[eveares]

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.

 

[cwhaley]

Put it on this thread I created, to catalogue all the 'dodgy jobs' we've encountered!

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

 

[old duffer]

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.

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

 

[Deleted member 307320]

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

What's unsafe about plastic pipes?!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

What's unsafe about plastic pipes?!

Nowt at all, buried in the ground.

 

[old duffer]

What's unsafe about plastic pipes?!

so they are UNSAFE when carrying gas INSIDE your home but they are SAFE when UNDER & OUTSIDE your home ?

 

[conny]

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.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

They would probably be safe in your home if run in one single length, from meter to final point.

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.

 

[bernardgreen]

They would probably be safe in your home if run in one single length, from meter to final point.

and there were no rodents with a taste for plastic pipes

 

[Deleted member 307320]

I was more confused about old duffers reaction to plastic water pipes...

 

[RandomGrinch]

I was more confused about old duffers reaction to plastic water pipes...

I'm afraid Old Duffer was attempting to be sarcastic.
A quick browse of his previous posts will tell you all you need to know...

 

[old duffer]

I'm afraid Old Duffer was attempting to be sarcastic.
A quick browse of his previous posts will tell you all you need to know...

facetious darling, facetious

 

[old duffer]

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

 

[Brigadier]

Copper pipe is only at risk in a low temperature fire

What's a "low temperature fire", out of interest?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

What's a "low temperature fire", out of interest?

I was of course discussing the melting point of the soldered joints in copper around 350 - 380C. The copper will not melt until around 1000C - plastic becomes soft and weak, around 100 to 200C.