Propane appliance systems include four essential components besides propane: the tank, the appliances, the connectors and the piping. Service piping connects the tank to the home with the propane appliances. It ensures that your appliances get the propane they need to function. Because propane is a flammable gas precautions need to be taken to ensure piping is installed and fitted properly between your tank and your home. Piping is sometimes referred to as the gas service line or the yard line.

Propane service / yard line materials

Propane service or yard lines are usually made of copper tubes or plastic polyethylene piping. They fall under specific regulations. Because piping is installed underground it needs to be protected from elements in the soil that might damage it. Using material that is not approved by the manufacturer exposes your propane piping to leak risks. Protective measures for underground piping include putting the service line in a PVC sleeve or wrapping it in protective tape, especially when it comes to materials such as steel, which can corrode.

Propane service line, yard line and piping regulations

It is important to note that authorized piping materials vary depending on the state your home is in. For example, copper tubing is not an approved material in every state. Therefore, it is your interest to include piping in the propane tank installation services you request from propane companies when asking for quotes. Alternatively, you should call propane experts to find out what gas service line materials are allowed in your area.

Propane service line, yard line and piping depth

Every possible measure is taken to protect piping from potential damage and avoid propane leaks. This includes ensuring that service lines are buried deep enough not to be vulnerable to vehicular traffic. Piping that is not deep enough can easily be crushed by heavy vehicles driving over it. If piping were not buried it eventually be torn by somebody tripping over it. Piping that is not buried according to regulations (between 12 and 18 inches underground) makes the installation illegal.