1210.1 Piping Underground. Underground gas piping

shall be installed with sufficient clearance from any other underground structure to avoid contact therewith, to allow maintenance, and to protect against damage from proximity to other structures. Underground plastic piping shall be installed with sufficient clearance or shall be insulated from any source of heat so as to prevent the heat from impairing the serviceability of the pipe. [NFPA 54:7.1.1.1 – 7.1.1.2]

1210.1.1 Cover Requirements. Underground piping systems shall be installed with a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) of cover. The minimum cover shall be increased to 18 inches (457 mm) if external damage to the pipe or tubing from external forces is likely to result. Where a minimum of 12 inches (305 mm) of cover cannot be provided, the piping shall be installed in conduit.

[NFPA 54:7.1.2.1 – 7.1.2.1(B)]

1210.1.2 Trenches. The trench shall be graded so that the pipe has a firm, substantially continuous bearing on the bottom of the trench. [NFPA 54:7.1.2.2]

1210.1.2.1 Backfilling. Where flooding of the trench is done to consolidate the backfill, care shall be exercised to see that the pipe is not floated from its firm bearing on the trench bottom. [NFPA 54:7.1.2.3]

1210.1.3 Protection Against Corrosion. Steel pipe and steel tubing installed underground shall be installed in accordance with Section 1210.1.3.1 through Section 1210.1.3.9. [NFPA 54:7.1.3]

1210.1.3.1 Zinc Coating. Zinc coating (galvanizing) shall not be deemed adequate protection for underground gas piping. [NFPA 54:7.1.3.1]

1210.1.3.2 Underground Piping. Underground piping shall comply with one or more of the following unless approved technical justification is provided to demonstrate that protection is unnecessary:

(1) The piping shall be made of corrosion-resistant material that is suitable for the environment in

which it will be installed.

(2) Pipe shall have a factory-applied, electrically insulating coating. Fittings and joints between sections of coated pipe shall be coated in accordance with the coating manufacturer’s instructions.

(3) The piping shall have a cathodic protection system installed, and the system shall be maintained in accordance with Section 1210.1.3.3 or

Section 1210.1.3.6. [NFPA 54:7.1.3.2]

For SI Units: 1 pound-force per square inch = 6.8947 kPa

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1210.1.3.3 Cathodic Protection. Cathodic protection systems shall be monitored by testing and the results shall be documented. The test results shall demonstrate one of the following:

− (1) A pipe-to-soil voltage of 0.85 volts or more negative is produced, with reference to a saturated copper-copper sulfate half cell.

− (2) A pipe-to-soil voltage of 0.78 volts or more negative is produced, with reference to a saturated KCl calomel half cell.

− (3) A pipe-to-soil voltage of 0.80 volts or more negative is produced, with reference to a silversilver chloride half cell.

(4) Compliance with a method described in Appendix D of Title 49 of the code of Federal Regulations, Part 192. [NFPA 54:7.1.3.3]

1210.1.3.4 Sacrificial Anodes. Sacrificial anodes shall be tested in accordance with the following:

(1) Upon installation of the cathodic protection system, except where prohibited by climatic conditions, in which case the testing shall be performed not later than 180 days after the installation of the system.

(2) 12 to 18 months after the initial test.

(3) Upon successful verification testing in accordance with Section 1210.1.3.4(1) and Section 1210.1.3.4(2), periodic follow-up testing shall be performed at intervals not to exceed 36 months. [NFPA 54:7.1.3.4]

1210.1.3.5 System Failing Tests. Systems failing a test shall be repaired not more than 180 days after the date of the failed testing. The testing schedule shall be restarted as required in Section 1210.1.3.4(1) and Section 1210.1.3.4(2), and the results shall comply with Section 1210.1.3.3. [NFPA 54:7.1.3.5]

1210.1.3.6 Impressed Current Cathodic Pro- tection. Impressed current cathodic protection systems shall be inspected and tested in accordance with the following schedule:

(1) The impressed current rectifier voltage output shall be checked at intervals not exceeding two months.

(2) The pipe-to-soil voltage shall be tested at least annually. [NFPA 54:7.1.3.6]

1210.1.3.7 Documentation. Documentation of

the results of the two most recent tests shall be retained. [NFPA 54:7.1.3.7]

1210.1.3.8 Dissimilar Metals. Where dissimilar metals are joined underground, an insulating coupling or fitting shall be used. [NFPA 54:7.1.3.8]

1210.1.3.9 Steel Risers. Steel risers, other than anodeless risers, connected to plastic piping shall be cathodically protected by means of a welded anode.

[NFPA 54:7.1.3.9]

1210.1.4 Protection Against Freezing. Where the formation of hydrates or ice is known to occur, piping shall be protected against freezing. [NFPA 54:7.1.4] 1210.1.5 Piping through Foundation Wall. Piping through a foundation wall shall comply with all of the following:

(1) Underground piping, where installed through the outer foundation or basement wall of a building, shall be encased in a protective sleeve or protected by an approved device or method.

(2) The spaces between the gas piping and the sleeve and between the sleeve and the wall shall be sealed to prevent entry of gas and water.

(3) Sealing materials shall be compatible with the piping and sleeve. [NFPA 54:7.1.5] 1210.1.6 Piping Underground Beneath Buildings. Where gas piping is installed underground beneath buildings, the piping shall be either of the following:

(1) Encased in an approved conduit designed to withstand the imposed loads and installed in accordance with Section 1210.1.6.1 or Section 1210.1.6.2.

(2) A piping/encasement system listed for installation beneath buildings. [NFPA 54:7.1.6]

1210.1.6.1 Conduit with One End Terminat- ing Outdoors. The conduit shall extend into an accessible portion of the building and, at the point where the conduit terminates in the building, the space between the conduit and the gas piping shall be sealed to prevent the possible entrance of any gas leakage. Where the end sealing is of a type that retains the full pressure of the pipe, the conduit shall be designed for the same pressure as the pipe. The conduit shall extend at least 4 inches (102 mm) outside the building, be vented outdoors above finished ground level, and be installed so as to prevent the entrance of water and insects. [NFPA 54:7.1.6.1]

1210.1.6.2 Conduit with Both Ends Terminat- ing Indoors. Where the conduit originates and terminates within the same building, the conduit shall originate and terminate in an accessible portion of the building and shall not be sealed. [NFPA 54:7.1.6.2] 1210.1.7 Connections of Plastic Piping. Plastic piping shall be installed outdoors, underground only.

Exceptions :

(1) Plastic piping shall be permitted to terminate aboveground where an anodeless riser is used.

(2) Plastic piping shall be permitted to terminate with a wall head adapter aboveground in buildings, including basements, where the plastic piping is inserted in a piping material permitted for use in buildings.

[NFPA 54:7.1.7.1]

1210.1.7.1 Connections Between Metallic and Plastic Piping. Connections made between metallic and plastic piping shall be made with fittings conforming to one of the following:

224 2025 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE

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(1) ASTM D2513, Category I transition fittings

(2) ASTM F1973

(3) ASTM F2509 [NFPA 54:7.1.7.2] 1210.1.7.2 Tracer Wire. An electrically continuous corrosion-resistant tracer shall be buried with the plastic pipe to facilitate locating. The tracer shall be one of the following:

(1) A product specifically designed for that pur pose.

(2) Insulated copper conductor not less than 14 AWG.

Where tracer wire is used, access shall be provided from aboveground, or one end of the tracer wire or tape shall be brought aboveground at a building wall or riser. [NFPA 54:7.1.7.3 – 7.1.7.3.2]