Installation Guide

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Chapter 4: Installation Practices
4.1 General Practices
HOME-FLEX® CSST exible gas piping material must be installed by a Qualied Installer who
has been certied in the use of the HOME-FLEX® gas piping system. Installers must meet
applicable qualications set forth by the state and/or local administrative authorities which
enforce the plumbing, mechanical, electrical and/or building codes at the locale where the
gas piping is to be installed. A HOME-FLEX® Qualied Installer Card is required to install
HOME-FLEX® CSST. For more information on certication please see Section 1.1 on page 1.
All HOME-FLEX® tubing and components should be stored such that they are not damaged or
exposed to water, debris, or chemicals. During the installation and construction process, care
must be taken to ensure that exposed tubing is not damaged.
Only components provided or specied by Valencia Pipe Company are to be used as part of
the HOME-FLEX® gas piping system. Do not use HOME-FLEX® tubing or HOME-FLEX® ttings
with the tubing or ttings of another CSST brand or manufacturer. Connections between
dierent brands of CSST may be made through the use of standard malleable iron ttings.
During installation, any open ends of HOME-FLEX® tubing are to be temporarily plugged,
taped, or otherwise sealed to prevent the entrance of dirt, dust, or other debris into the gas
system.
Contact with sharp objects or substances harmful to the CSST or yellow protective jacket
must be avoided. The protective jacket should be kept in place as much as possible to protect
the tubing from corrosive threats. Contact with chemicals containing chlorides or ammonia
(such as uxes or acid based cleaners) must be followed by a thorough rinse and dry. Only
non-corrosive leak detection uids should be used when testing for leaks.
Take care to avoid unnecessary stress or strain on HOME-FLEX® tubing
and ttings. While the ability to bend HOME-FLEX® tubing is a main
feature in its installation convenience, there is a minimum bend radius
that should never be exceeded as it could damage the tubing. Multiple
tight bends can restrict gas ow, leading the increased pressure drop.
HOME-FLEX® tubing should never be stretched, kinked, or twisted.
Bends should be of as large a radius as possible to maximize gas ow
and reduce risk of damage to CSST. Figure 4.1 demonstrates how the
radius of a bend is calculated. Table 4.1 lists the absolute and recom-
mended minimum bend radii for HOME-FLEX® tubing.
Table 4.1 Recommended Minimum Bend Radius (R) for HOME-FLEX® Tubing
Tubing Size
Absolute Minimum Bend
Radius (R)
Recommended Min. Bend
Radius (R)
½" (13 mm) 1¼" (32 mm)
3" (75 mm)
¾" (19 mm) 1⁄" (42 mm)
1" (25 mm) 2" (51 mm) 5" (125 mm)
HOME-FLEX® tubing must be supported with nonmetallic pipe straps, bands or hangers suit-
able for the size and weight of the tubing, at intervals not to exceed those shown in Table 4.2.
Tubing should not be supported by, or run near, conductive metallic systems such as metallic
appliance vents, ducting, or piping. Electrical cables must be avoided and cannot be used as
supports. Tubing is considered supported if it passes through or over a structural component
of the building.
Figure 4.1 Bend Radius (R)