Hi,

I was wondering whether gas pipes can be run behind plasterboard
studding? I know that gas pipes penetrating a cavity wall need to be
sleeved, with one end vented, but am not aware of such a requirement for use
within studding. Of course the consequences of a gas leak there are not so
severe - a gas leak into a cavity wall could be disastrous, whereas a gas
leak into a studding wall would not cause stuctural collapse ( if ignited ),
but I thought I'd ask about any regs/best practise,

cheers,

Andy.

andrewpreece wrote:
I was wondering whether gas pipes can be run behind plasterboard
studding? I know that gas pipes penetrating a cavity wall need to be
sleeved, with one end vented, but am not aware of such a requirement
for use within studding. Of course the consequences of a gas leak
there are not so severe - a gas leak into a cavity wall could be
disastrous, whereas a gas leak into a studding wall would not cause
stuctural collapse ( if ignited ), but I thought I'd ask about any
regs/best practise,

According to Ed Sirett's FAQ
(http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html)

"Pipes may be run inside partition walls provided they are corrosion
protected with anti-corrosion tape" (although I don't know whether that
refers to stud partitions or solid brick ones? Not sure why you'd need
the tape inside a stud partition?)

It also says: "There is a stack of rules governing pipes buried in
floors, walls, ducts, passing between buildings, and between floors of
flats."

I do find this whole area very confusing - AIUI you can't run gas pipes
in enclosed spaces where a build-up of leaked gas would be very
dangerous; inside a cavity wall would be as bad an example of this as
any, as you say.

Presumably under the floorboards doesn't count as an enclosed space -
is that because any leaking gas will soon pervade the rooms and make its
presence known, rather than building up, undetected, to a dangerous
level in an otherwise sealed space? If that's the case, then providing
there's plenty of air gaps connecting the inside of the stud partition
with the ceiling void above, then *presumably* it would be OK?
I stress this is just my supposition, not an informed answer -
IANACORGI! Hopefully Ed or someone will be along shortly with a
definitive answer...

David

On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 12:44:21 +0000, Lobster wrote:

andrewpreece wrote:
I was wondering whether gas pipes can be run behind plasterboard
studding? I know that gas pipes penetrating a cavity wall need to be
sleeved, with one end vented, but am not aware of such a requirement
for use within studding. Of course the consequences of a gas leak
there are not so severe - a gas leak into a cavity wall could be
disastrous, whereas a gas leak into a studding wall would not cause
stuctural collapse ( if ignited ), but I thought I'd ask about any
regs/best practise,

According to Ed Sirett's FAQ
(http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html)

"Pipes may be run inside partition walls provided they are corrosion
protected with anti-corrosion tape" (although I don't know whether that
refers to stud partitions or solid brick ones? Not sure why you'd need
the tape inside a stud partition?)

I have perhaps over stated the case here. The pipe will need protection
where it goes through the p/board. Also you need to make sure that the
pipe is adequately supported, bearing in mind that the p/board will not
hold a pipe clip very well.

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html

"Ed Sirett" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 12:44:21 +0000, Lobster wrote:

andrewpreece wrote:
I was wondering whether gas pipes can be run behind plasterboard
studding? I know that gas pipes penetrating a cavity wall need to be
sleeved, with one end vented, but am not aware of such a requirement
for use within studding. Of course the consequences of a gas leak
there are not so severe - a gas leak into a cavity wall could be
disastrous, whereas a gas leak into a studding wall would not cause
stuctural collapse ( if ignited ), but I thought I'd ask about any
regs/best practise,

According to Ed Sirett's FAQ
(http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html)

"Pipes may be run inside partition walls provided they are corrosion
protected with anti-corrosion tape" (although I don't know whether that
refers to stud partitions or solid brick ones? Not sure why you'd need
the tape inside a stud partition?)

I have perhaps over stated the case here. The pipe will need protection
where it goes through the p/board. Also you need to make sure that the
pipe is adequately supported, bearing in mind that the p/board will not
hold a pipe clip very well.

Thanks folks,

Andy.

Gas pipe inside timber frame construction walls should be a/ run vertically within purpose designed channels or ducts (i.e. a wooden backing batten and two wooden side battens against which the pasterboard buts), b/ adequately secured to studding, c/ have a minimum number of joints with no compression fittings, d/ be protected where appropriate from mechanical and corrosion damage. Do a tightness test before you wrap and conseal the pipe.

A gas leak in any enclosure would be disastrous as the explosive mixture of between 5 to 15% gas to air (though combustion usually takes place at 9% under test) is soon reached. It is preferable to run gas pipes outside, and not ideal to run it inside stud walls, but vanity is such an important criteria in use guys' homes these days.

Paul

On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 19:16:53 +0000, Paul Barker wrote:


andrewpreece Wrote:
"Ed Sirett" wrote in message
news On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 12:44:21 +0000, Lobster wrote:
-
andrewpreece wrote:-
I was wondering whether gas pipes can be run behind plasterboard
studding? I know that gas pipes penetrating a cavity wall need to
be
sleeved, with one end vented, but am not aware of such a requirement
for use within studding. Of course the consequences of a gas leak
there are not so severe - a gas leak into a cavity wall could be
disastrous, whereas a gas leak into a studding wall would not cause
stuctural collapse ( if ignited ), but I thought I'd ask about any
regs/best practise,-

According to Ed Sirett's FAQ
(http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html)

"Pipes may be run inside partition walls provided they are corrosion
protected with anti-corrosion tape" (although I don't know whether
that
refers to stud partitions or solid brick ones? Not sure why you'd
need
the tape inside a stud partition?)
-
I have perhaps over stated the case here. The pipe will need
protection
where it goes through the p/board. Also you need to make sure that
the
pipe is adequately supported, bearing in mind that the p/board will
not
hold a pipe clip very well.
-
Thanks folks,

Andy.

Gas pipe inside timber frame construction walls should be a/ run
vertically within purpose designed channels or ducts (i.e. a wooden
backing batten and two wooden side battens against which the
pasterboard buts), b/ adequately secured to studding, c/ have a minimum
number of joints with no compression fittings, d/ be protected where
appropriate from mechanical and corrosion damage. Do a tightness test
before you wrap and conseal the pipe.

A gas leak in any enclosure would be disastrous as the explosive
mixture of between 5 to 15% gas to air (though combustion usually takes
place at 9% under test) is soon reached. It is preferable to run gas
pipes outside, and not ideal to run it inside stud walls, but vanity is
such an important criteria in use guys' homes these days.

Thanks Paul. I'll update the FAQ sometime to reflect the need for a
purpose designed channel.

Presumably there is a maximum permitted area for the ducting over which it
requires venting?

--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at http://www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html

I don't have a copy of the British Strandards on domestic pipework, so I can't say. The type of enclosure I'm talking about doesn't really come under ducting though, it's more snug than that. I don't think it comes under the same rules, but the information I've given would pass a corgi inspector's eyes.

What frightens me is that behind the walls of houses could be all sorts of similar errors.

Pre formed flue blocks are a real danger. In a nearby council estate I haven't tested a flue of that construction from that same estate that has passed either a flue flow test or a spillage test. I have a whole gaggle of electric fires in my wake. There's nothing you can do to make it safe for gas. Maybe it never was. For all I know the builder made a real hash of the job. You'd have to knock a wall down to find out. Yet loads of houses on that estate have gas appliances. Many diy fitted by people whoi don't know how to test a flue.

The last one had so much soot around the fire surround I had no trouble explaining the danger to the customer. Quite literally she could have sat down in front of the fire for an evening and died.

"Paul Barker" wrote in message
...

andrewpreece Wrote:
"Ed Sirett" wrote in message
news On Sun, 13 Feb 2005 12:44:21 +0000, Lobster wrote:
-
andrewpreece wrote:-
I was wondering whether gas pipes can be run behind plasterboard
studding? I know that gas pipes penetrating a cavity wall need to
be
sleeved, with one end vented, but am not aware of such a requirement
for use within studding. Of course the consequences of a gas leak
there are not so severe - a gas leak into a cavity wall could be
disastrous, whereas a gas leak into a studding wall would not cause
stuctural collapse ( if ignited ), but I thought I'd ask about any
regs/best practise,-

According to Ed Sirett's FAQ
(http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html)

"Pipes may be run inside partition walls provided they are corrosion
protected with anti-corrosion tape" (although I don't know whether
that
refers to stud partitions or solid brick ones? Not sure why you'd
need
the tape inside a stud partition?)
-
I have perhaps over stated the case here. The pipe will need
protection
where it goes through the p/board. Also you need to make sure that
the
pipe is adequately supported, bearing in mind that the p/board will
not
hold a pipe clip very well.
-
Thanks folks,

Andy.

Gas pipe inside timber frame construction walls should be a/ run
vertically within purpose designed channels or ducts (i.e. a wooden
backing batten and two wooden side battens against which the
pasterboard buts), b/ adequately secured to studding, c/ have a minimum
number of joints with no compression fittings, d/ be protected where
appropriate from mechanical and corrosion damage. Do a tightness test
before you wrap and conseal the pipe.

A gas leak in any enclosure would be disastrous as the explosive
mixture of between 5 to 15% gas to air (though combustion usually takes
place at 9% under test) is soon reached. It is preferable to run gas
pipes outside, and not ideal to run it inside stud walls, but vanity is
such an important criteria in use guys' homes these days.

Paul

Thanks for that Paul: I had already figured on solder joints, and the usual
gas-tightness tests with that aerosol soapy spray stuff that is designed
for this purpose. Ditto for protecting against mechanical and corrosion
damage,
and secure mounting every x inches ( I forget the figure, I'll have to look
it up ).
I also know about keeping it away from electricity cables ( at x spacing,
again I
will look it up ).

The stuff about putting it in channel is new to me, I shall look into that.
The
problem is that part of the run needs to be horizontal, and that means any
channel can butt to the plasterboard as the studding frames are in the way.
I had already decided to ventilate the plasterboard studding, with vents
down at base
level and up above the kitchen units to keep air ventilating ( help prevent
damp
too! ).

The previous owner buried the gas pipe in cement render - you should see the
state of it - bright green!

Andy.

Cement attacks copper pipe whether gas or water, it should have been wrapped.

Corgi rules are quite clear that runs in stud walls can only be vertical, horizontal runs shouldn't run inside the wall. Horisontal runs in chases are also frowned upon.

15mm copper pipe clip minimums are 2m vert 1.5m horiz and for 22mm 2.5 vert 2 horiz. Most people clip more frequently than that anyway because it's not particularly secure at that. Pipe mustn't touch the mortar in a bare brick wall because of the attack from the cement in it.

Distance from electic cable is 50mm by prefernce but 25mm can be used, closer than that may be OK if you wrap the pipe with insulating tape where it comes close to electric cable or terminals/connections.

Very safest route for gas pipe is outside the house and straight through the wall into where it is needed. Any gas escape is imediately dissipated into the atmosphere where it presents no risk of explosion.

Explosion is your enemy with natural gas. Stud walls present a beautiful opportunity for the gas air ratio to reach explosive limits.