Propane Distribution - Rubber Hose Lines?

[Golden_Otto_Bus]

Hey gang,

Getting ready to run some propane lines for my skoolie. Under the skoolie I was thinking of black pipe but it would be a pain trying to get around everything. My brother-in-law has a new trailer/toy hauler so I snuck under there and looked at the propane distribution system, all rubber hose! Maybe 40' of various runs with a rubber hose system and manifold. Seems pretty similar to the short runs I have seen from a propane tank to a bbq. Is this hose something different than normal, steel belted or similar? Would really like to cut into it and see if it is something different but he likely would frown on that.

I would guess this will open up a can of worms and folks have pretty strong feelings about the types of gas distribution lines from prior posts.

Plans on the inside are corrugated gas lines within the walls where needed.

Let me know what folks have seen in the RV world like this.

Cheers!

J

[Iceni John]

The argument goes something like this: "We've used black iron pipe for a hundred years, and it works, so dammit we'll keep using it". However, the world has moved on, and newer systems like CSST are becoming predominant. Ask yourself, what will possibly leak more in a moving vibrating vehicle? Rigid pipe and threaded fittings, or single unbroken runs of flexible CSST? I know what works for me, and it ain't iron pipe.

John

[Danjo]

We love to argue about propane distribution

[Danjo]

Don’t use rubber. Use black iron pipe. Easy, nearly indestructible.

Whatever you do, read NFPA 1192. You can read it at no cost online

[Rwnielsen]

We are talking about pressure regulated gas correct? 11" water columb, approximately 4 psi?

[Golden_Otto_Bus]

Yes, post regulator so only around 0.4 psi.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

plan on zero joints in the walls, keep the joints accessible for periodic inspection/test and do yourself a favor and go buy the correct tubing cuts with the double wheels that are designed for straight cuts with csst. and pay attention to the torque specs on the fittings.
if you hit torque specs and still leak then it is a bad cut and or fitting crooked with a bad flare.

[flattracker]

I am using the black pipe for my propane with metal flex connections. Rodents cannot chew through steel. Out in the sticks there are rodents.

[Zork]

Last I checked, CSST only has a rubber outer sheath. The inside of the tube is corrugated steel. Opinions on its use on RV's are all over the place, but most cities require black pipe on food trucks.

[Rucker]

Originally Posted by flattracker

I am using the black pipe for my propane with metal flex connections. Rodents cannot chew through steel. Out in the sticks there are rodents.

Agree on rodents on the underside: Pex, rubber, any plastic, insulation etc.

I bought all black iron.

But when I actually got to it, I decided to use a one piece standard (though long) rubber supply hose plus regulator that runs from the enclosed barbecue tank direct to the water heater, the only other propane device. The hose is inspectable its whole length, and is on the five year replacement list.

I have a little one pound green can and a camp stove for the kitchen.

[Iceni John]

Originally Posted by Zork

Last I checked, CSST only has a rubber outer sheath. The inside of the tube is corrugated steel. Opinions on its use on RV's are all over the place, but most cities require black pipe on food trucks.

CSST has a thin layer of yellow plastic (not rubber) over the stainless steel, primarily to visibly show it's a gas line.

I'm curious why cities are still requiring black pipe. Is it because they're just mirroring NFPA 1192 (which is laughably out of date by now), or some other reason? As I mentioned in another thread, plumbing a moving vehicle the same way as a Victorian house seems absurd and anachronistic to me, considering that the rest of the world has moved on from using threaded iron pipe. Or is this another example of a stubborn insular refusal to accept change here? It ain't the 1800s anymore. Let's not all be sheep or lemmings.

John

[Zork]

Huh. I found this while searching for more details for CSST:

"All CSST should be installed away from metal objects such as metal duct work, metal pipes, electrical wiring, metal beams, or metal conduit."

Might this be the reason why black pipe is preferred in skoolies and food trucks?

[o1marc]

I ran 3/8" copper tubing sheathed in clear rubber hose from the rear tank to the front cabin.

[Golden_Otto_Bus]

Originally Posted by Danjo

Don’t use rubber. Use black iron pipe. Easy, nearly indestructible.

Whatever you do, read NFPA 1192. You can read it at no cost online

Quick look at that reference material, they do use rubber hose to transport gas. Looks like all connections and runs need to be accessible.

[incubus]

11 inches water column equals .397 psi. Steel has worked for years,use soft set joint compound. Rubber or plastic is good to but I'd put the hose in plastic conduit for protection. Dont use copper.