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 Qualied Installer who
has been certied in the use of the HOME-FLEX® or VPC Alpha-FLEX™ gas piping systems.
Installers must meet applicable qualications set forth by the state and/or local administra-
tive 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® or Alpha-FLEX™ Qualied
Installer Card is required to install HOME-FLEX® CSST. For more information on certication
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.
The United States and Canada restrict HOME-FLEX® tubing and ttings to operating pressures
no greater than 25 PSI. HOME-FLEX® tubing has been tested and approved for pressures up
to 125 PSI, but may only be used up to this pressure with consent of the local gas utility and
code authority. Pressure tests up to 125 PSI are permitted.
Only components provided or specied by Valencia Pipe Company are to be used as part of
the HOME-FLEX® gas piping system. HOME-FLEX® components are interchangeable with VPC
Alpha-FLEX™ components. With the exception of VPC Alpha-FLEX™ components, do not use
HOME-FLEX® tubing or HOME-FLEX® ttings with the tubing or ttings of another CSST brand
or manufacturer. Connections between dierent 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 detec-
tion 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 fea-
ture 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.
HOME-FLEX® tubing must be supported with pipe straps, bands or hangers suitable for the
size and weight of the tubing, at intervals not to exceed those shown in Table 4.2. Tubing
Figure 4.1 Bend Radius
Table 4.1 Recommended Minimum Bend Radius for HOME-FLEX® Tubing
Tubing Size
Absolute Minimum Bend
Radius
Recommended Min. Bend
Radius
½" (13 mm) 1¼" (32 mm)
3" (75 mm)
¾" (19 mm) 1⁄" (42 mm)
1" (25 mm) 2" (51 mm) 5" (125 mm)