Is steel ok for a new 22mm gas pipe?

[diyit]

Hi,

I'm currently renovating my house including all new plumbing and would like some advice on the new gas pipe. I am not a plumber and I appreciate that I may get a lot of replies simply saying 'Get a plumber to do it' but I will not be connecting the new pipe to either the new boiler or the meter. I plan to fit the new pipe throughout the house and then have the plumber check, pressure test and connect up when he/she installs the boiler. As the house is completely stripped the plumber will be able to see every inch of the new pipe and all connections.

Anyway, my question is, does the new gas pipe have to be copper? The old one was a mixture of 1" OD steel, 15mm and 22mm copper running all over the place to the hob and gas fires. I have removed this completely and when fitting the new one it will be running straight from the meter approximately 13m through the ground floor and then up approximately 4.5m to the boiler, there will be no take-offs.

The reason I ask is that I've had two plumbers round to give me quotes and they both say that the new pipe needs to be a minimum of 22mm copper. The 22mm I understand but I don't see why it needs to be copper as surely steel is a lot stronger, more durable and as it's not outside there will be minimum corrosion, if any? I just don't like the idea of copper gas pipe everywhere, its so SOFT!

I can't find anything online saying that a new gas pipe has to be copper but as both plumbers said it I thought I better check.

Many thanks in advance!

DIYIT

 

[Keefy]

I got as far as "I plan to fit the new pipe throughout the house and then have the plumber check" - DON'T DO IT YOURSELF, GET A GAS SAFE REGISTERED ENGINEER TO DO IT.

​

 

[Reg Man]

Gas Safety (installation & Use) regulations! No person shall carry out work to a gas fitting unless they are competent to do so. This includes a pipe that is intended to be used as a gas fitting. Get a GSR man in to do the necessary work.

 

[lame plumber]

if you were to call me in later to inspect and pass your work it would be very expensive as youd watch me fitting and installing a load of ms pipe all over again!!!!!!!!

 

[peteheat]

Text on my phone received 27/02/2013.

Be Aware.

An RGI is only permitted to certify his/her own work.

Report an illegal installer at RGII - Registered Gas Installers

Rgds,

RGII

RGI = Irish version of GSR

RGII = equal of UK Gas Safe Register

As both organisations have very similar rules and Laws to work within I would pay particular heed to the posts by Keefy, Reg Man & lame plumber

 

[diyit]

Wow! Thanks everyone for your seriously fast responses!

OK consider myself educated. I assumed as long as the pipework and joints were visible, they could be signed off. I will be calling back the plumbers.

However nothing was mentioned about the original question....does it have to be in copper? As I mentioned I would prefer to have steel but both plumbers insisted it had to be copper???

Thanks again,

DIYIT

 

[Reg Man]

Not many people use steel on domestic properties these days. Can be either steel or copper. Copper is quicker and easier to fit.

 

[lame plumber]

what ever is used, you arent entitled to fit it, visible joints or not. If you want to pay for steel Id be happy to install it its your choice

 

[Keefy]

Plumbers tend not to appreciate the customer 'helping' them on a job.

 

[Whyme]

Steel? cutting, threading, fittings extra labour........unless you live in scrapmanville and are worried of it being ripped from an external wall just get a gsr plumber to do it in copper...

 

[Dotty]

And for all that it could still be wrong.

While you're talking to your new found friend ask him to size it properly.

Please go to Gas Safe Register | Ensure your gas engineer is registered. or post a thread in the 'I'm looking for a plumber / gas engineer' section of these forums remembering to include your location. [DLMURL="http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/im-looking-plumber-gas-engineer/"]I'm looking for a Plumber or Gas Engineer[/DLMURL]

Thread closed as OP has seen the error of his ways.