Installation Guide
19
Fitting Assembly
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.
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
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 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)
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
Table 4.2 Recommended Horizontal and Vertical Support Spacing for HOME-FLEX® Tubing
Tubing Size Horizontal Support Spacing Vertical Support Spacing
½" (13 mm) 6 ft.
10 ft.¾" (19 mm)
8 ft. (USA) 6 ft. (CAN)
1" (25 mm)
4.2 Fitting Assembly
HOME-FLEX® ttings achieve seal by compressing the tubing into the gasket (Figure 4.2). It
is critical that the cut end of the tubing is clean of any burrs or jagged edges, and that there
is no debris on the tubing or gasket. A seal is achieved with a good deal of force (62 lbft
torque for ½" and ½" fittings and 74 lbft for 1" ttings). In the absence of a torque wrench,
the general guideline is to tighten with two wrenches (one holding the tting in place, the
other turning the ange nut counter-clockwise) until the nut will no longer turn and only 2-3
threads are showing.
Note: The gasket can only be used once. Once it has been compressed (Figure 4.2) during
the assembly process, it cannot be reused.
Note: The o-ring does not function as a gas sealing mechanism in the tting assembly. The
o-ring keeps moisture and corrosives out of the area between the tubing and tting ange.
If the o-ring is misplaced and there is risk of outside moisture or contaminants entering the
assembly, wrap with the assembly with self-bonding silicone tape from the tubing jacket to
the end of the nut ange.
Male, Female, Union and Tee Fittings
Tubing
Flange Nut
Retainer Ring
Fitting
Step 1 Cut HOME-FLEX® tubing to length
Using a stainless steel tube cutter, cut the
HOME-FLEX® tubing to the desired length,
leaving at least 1 extra inch for placement
of the tting. Cut in the valley of the tubing
and clean any burrs or jagged edges. Cut
in full circular strokes in one direction,
tightening gradually after each rotation.
Be careful to not overtighten the roller as it
could atten the HOME-FLEX® tubing.
Figure 4.2 (1) Gasket in Fitting Before Assembly, (2) After Assembly (note groove in gasket), and (3) Compressed Tubing