Quick Start Guide Natural Gas Utilities

SECTION 03: KEY SAFETY MESSAGES

Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing Safety

Why Address This Issue? Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) is a flexible pipe used to supply natural gas in homes and commercial/industrial structures. If lightning strikes a structure containing improperly installed CSST, the lightning will travel along the structure’s natural gas piping and could cause a leak or fire. CSST has been installed in as many as 10 million U.S. homes since the 1990s, according to some manufacturers’ estimates. Any CSST installation should meet the requirements of local building codes, the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54), and the manufacturer’s instructions. CSST needs to be connected or “bonded” to the electrical grounding system in a structure, and CSST installations must be approved by local electrical and mechanical inspectors and building officials.

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Developing a Public Safety Communications Program