Why do you need a drip leg on a gas line?
The rarely noticed sediment trap, or drip leg, is an important part of any gas appliance. These small pipes that appear to be extensions of the gas line serve the purpose of collecting sediment, debris, and other impurities that come through the gas line, catching them before they enter the appliance.
Where do I need a drip leg on a gas line?
A drip leg can be installed anywhere at the low point in the piping system, if there is moisture in the gas to allow for the removal of the condensation. The outlet of the meter is one such location. Sediment traps are usually installed very close to the water heater or furnace valve.
Do you need a drip leg on a gas range?
Gas stoves or cook tops or fireplaces for instance are not required to have them. The purpose of a sediment trap is to prevent any sediment that may be in a gas supply line from entering into the controls of a heater or water heater.
How long does a gas drip leg need to be?
Must be made of a tee fitting with a capped nipple, a minimum of 3 inches in length, in the bottom opening of the run of the tee. Provide a 90-degree change of direction of gas flow, to help prevent sediment from flowing over the trap.
How long does a drip leg need to be?
The basic requirements for sediment traps: Must be made of a tee fitting with a capped nipple, a minimum of 3 inches in length, in the bottom opening of the run of the tee. Provide a 90-degree change of direction of gas flow, to help prevent sediment from flowing over the trap.
How does drip leg work?
Drip legs are the key to successful, water hammer free, system start-up. Drip Legs: a) Let condensate escape by gravity from the fast moving steam. The properly sized drip leg acts as a separator by providing an increase in flow area, which slows the steam flow down allowing the condensate to drop out.
What is a sediment trap on a gas line?
Sediment traps are intentionally installed to help prevent sediment in the gas piping from getting into the gas valve or burner area of an appliance and fouling things up. The sediment traps at my furnace and water heater were completely empty.
How do drip legs work?
Drip Legs: The properly sized drip leg acts as a separator by providing an increase in flow area, which slows the steam flow down allowing the condensate to drop out. This is important during operation as well as start-up. On start-up cold piping causes steam to collapse and pressure to drop.
Do all gas lines need sediment traps?
Sediment traps are required at all automatically controlled gas appliances. In other words, sediments traps are required at furnaces, boilers, water heaters, clothes dryers, ovens, space heaters, unit heaters, gas fireplaces, and more.
What is a drip leg and what is it for?
A drip leg, or also commonly called a sediment trap, is used on fuel piping to prevent sediment, debris, and moisture from entering a gas appliance or fuel regulator . Drip legs are required to be installed in a manner that meets or exceeds fuel piping codes and manufacture requirements for appliances and devices.
What is a dirt leg on a gas line?
A sediment trap is a T-shaped pipe configuration designed to catch any debris in a gas line before it goes into the appliance. It is called a “dirt leg” in the plumbing trades and is required by both the Florida Building Code (FBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) for any appliance that does not have one incorporated into it.
What is the length of a gas drip leg?
The inlet gas line must have a minimum length of three (3) inches (7.6 cm) drip leg (sediment trap) installed as close to the water heater’s gas valve as possible. A ground joint union must be installed as close to the water heater as possible in the gas supply line feeding the water heater to permit servicing of the water heater.
Do you need a drip leg on a gas dryer?
Drips legs are used to collect water droplets. They are located in low areas of a gas line. Drip legs are only needed if the gas is wet. Most gas is dry, therefore drip legs are not often required.