Installation Guide

25
Routing
• Inside hollow interior wall cavities. Routing inside wall cavities is preferred for ver-
tical sections of tubing. Horizontal runs through wall cavities should be avoided to
minimize the need for striker protection from puncture hazards.
• Through approved conduit underground or under building slabs. Under no cir-
cumstances is HOME-FLEX® to be routed underground or under slab unless it is
routed within a nonmetallic water-tight conduit that is at least ½" larger than the
outer diameter (OD) of the CSST tubing. Fittings and joints are not permissible in
such runs—the run must be one unbroken line of tubing. Runs underneath slabs
must be sleeved and vented per local codes.
• Outdoors. When installed outdoors, the yellow jacketing of HOME-FLEX® must be
intact along the entire run. Any areas of exposed tubing are to be wrapped with
self-bonding silicone tape or sleeved to prevent threats from acids or chlorides.
• Along the perimeter of a building. Care must be taken to protect HOME-FLEX®
from mechanical damage when installed along the exterior of a building. If
installed within 6 feet of the ground, HOME-FLEX® tubing must be routed within
a conduit or chase. If installed in a location where the tubing will not be subject
to possible mechanical damage, a conduit is not required, but is recommended.
Tubing should not be supported by, or run near, conductive metallic systems such as metallic
appliance vents, ducting, or piping.
Careful consideration should be given to route HOME-FLEX® tubing in areas where
mechanical damage is least likely.
Clearance Holes and Notching
Clearance holes for routing tubing through
studs, joists, plates, etc. must have a diameter
at least ½" larger than the outside diameter
of the tubing (Table 4.3). Local codes pertain-
ing to structural members must be followed
when drilling clearance holes—no structural
members should be compromised, weakened
or impaired by cutting, notching, drilling, or
otherwise alternating the member.
Routing through holes in joists, rafters or similar wood structures
When HOME-FLEX® tubing is installed through bored holes in joists, rafters, or other wood
structures, the holes should be bored such that the edge of the hole is at least 2 inches from
the nearest edge of the wood structure (Figure 4.3). If this criterion can’t be met, the tubing
must be protected by a striker plate of suitable size installed in accordance with Section 4.4
(p. 28). The diameter of the hole should be no more than 1/3 the depth of the wood struc-
ture.
Holes and Cuts in Top and Sole Plates
Holes bored through top plates, top frame mem-
bers and sole plates should not exceed 50% of
the width of the structure, and should be in the
center of the structure. If a sole or plate is to be
cut for the routing of HOME-FLEX® tubing, the
width of the cut should be ½" greater than the
outside diameter of the tubing and no greater
than 2 inches (Figure 4.4). Tubing must be pro-
tected with striker plates in accordance with
Section 4.4.
Table 4.3 Recommended Routing Holes for Installation
of HOME-FLEX® Tubing
Tubing Size Drill Hole Size
½" (13 mm) 1⁄" (35 mm)
¾" (19 mm) 1½" (38 mm)
1" (25 mm) 1¾" (45 mm)
Figure 4.3 Holes in Wood Structures
Preferred
location
D/3
Max
D/3
Max
D
2"
Min
2" Min