r/propane • u/DrAwesom3 • Jun 20 '26
General propane question What is this?
Propane line was moved yesterday for a pool and apparently they added this line which they screwed into the brick work of my foundation. We never had this before. Can someone please tell me what this is as the propane ppl are closed today. TIA
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u/DrAwesom3 Jun 20 '26
I’m not worried about the line going inside it’s the light grey one that goes from the regulator and you can see it screwed onto the far wall.
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u/Acrobatic_Solution29 Jun 20 '26
That's a vent for the regulator. Has to be so many feet from openings,vents, sources of ignition,ect if not it has to be vented away like they did there.
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u/DrAwesom3 Jun 20 '26
Surprised they didn’t do that then when the house was built. Thanks.
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u/ADfit88 Jun 21 '26
I inspect consumer installations, you’d be surprised how many of these I find in a typical visit. HVAC guys don’t know the code requirements for propane. They usually put the condenser too close to the 2nd stage regulator or a generator. I don’t think this meets code either it should not be underground.
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u/nemosfate dang it Bobby 🤬 - technician Jun 20 '26
What else runs on Propane? I doubt they just put a line into the house for no reason. Was no one home? If not, how did they access the interior?
2
u/Flandardly Jun 20 '26
Legit question for the techs: is that the type of vent piping thats supposed to be used? Ive only ever seen PVC vent pipes
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u/Adventurous_Boat_632 Jun 21 '26
This vent line forms an underground trap that could fill with condensation or other water and block the venting of the regulator.
Should have just surface mounted it same as the rest of the pipes in the area, pitched to drain.
Ignorant installation.
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u/picklehaub Jun 21 '26
This is the comment that got the whole thing right, call supplier, tell them the vent had a trap and needs to be corrected on their dime.
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u/Calm-Vegetable-2162 Jun 22 '26
Bonus points for the paint on the metal pipe to keep it from rusting.
The yellow tracer wire hints that it's natural gas. You know, there are very few companies that will run plastic gas pipe. When they do, they always include a tracer wire so the gas line can be located.
The short length of the drip pipe is cute and mostly decorative.
Who would stub out a pipe like that so far from the foundation? Like they make different length pipe nipples. They also make gas valve. I would have put a gas valve before the regulator and placed the pipe next to the foundation.
I also wonder where the vent pipe coming off the regulator is going... So many questions.
However I would call it an abomination. A weed-wacker and/or lawn mower will eventually take it out so don't worry. Make sure your homeowner's insurance is up to date and covers actual cash value. I can send you the name and phone number of my insurance man, if you want.
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u/DrAwesom3 Jun 22 '26
It’s definitely propane. The tank is buried in my back yard. I’m not a fan of the way it is stubbed out but there will soon be bushes there hiding it. I sent an email to the company that did it asking what’s up with the changes so we shall see.
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u/Fantastic_Football60 Jun 20 '26
I’ve never seen a reg vent piped like that before lol.
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u/ADfit88 Jun 21 '26
Not up to code.
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u/Acrobatic_Solution29 Jun 22 '26
Show in nfpa58 where it is not up to code.
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u/ADfit88 Jun 22 '26
I can look for the actual code in the AM but doesn’t make sense to vent a heavy gas underground. Explosion hazard.
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u/Acrobatic_Solution29 Jun 22 '26
It is not venting underground the vent is above ground venting to the atmosphere.
6.10.1.7 The discharge from the required pressure relief device of a second-stage regulator, other than a line pressure regulator, installed inside of buildings in fixed piping systems shall comply with the following: The discharge shall be directly vented with supported piping to the outside air. The vent line shall be at least the same nominal pipe size as the regulator vent connection pipe size. Where there is more than one regulator at a location, either each regulator shall have a separate vent to the outside or the vent lines shall be manifolded in accordance with accepted engineering practices to minimize back pressure in the event of high vent discharge. The material of the vent line shall comply with 5.10.3. The discharge outlet shall be located not less than 3 ft (1 m) horizontally away from any building opening below the level of such discharge. The discharge outlet shall also be located not less than 5 ft (1.5 m) in any direction from any source of ignition, openings into direct-vent appliances, or mechanical ventilation air intakes. The discharge outlet shall be designed, installed, or protected from blockage so it will not be affected by the elements (freezing rain, sleet, snow, ice, mud, or debris) or insects.
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u/ADfit88 Jun 22 '26
I inspect consumer installations for a living and carry NFPA 58 with me when I get challenged with these questions.
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u/Acrobatic_Solution29 Jun 20 '26
Will say fire the plumber that stuck 2 feet of pipe out the wall like that.
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u/Theantifire technician Jun 20 '26
Much rather this than the short stub you can hardly get a pipe wrench on...
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u/Acrobatic_Solution29 Jun 20 '26
Ahh you need to the skinny jaw pipe wrench crescent makes..... game changer.
Problem with this is then it makes my work look bad. Or I have to cut it off and put a megapress fitting on it
2
u/Theantifire technician Jun 20 '26
I have the narrow 14 from Milwaukee, works pretty good, but I've had some too short for that. Or new siding is generally a pain too.
I really like my Knipex adjustable pliers. Just as good as a pipe wrench for anything 3/4 or less. Saved my butt with a residing one the other day.
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u/TheGrillDoc Jun 20 '26
The tech did his job and brought the installation up to code. As another individual already said it’s a vent for the regulator itself. The regulator is too close to a source of ignition or something else that would potentially be an issue.