Brennen Teel Foundation Seeks National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54) Changes For Safety

ROCKWALL, Texas, July 7, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Fuel Gas Code governs installation of gas plumbing in homes and is adopted by local governments throughout the U.S. for building regulation.  The Foundation has presented 5 revisions to the National Fuel Gas Code for consideration of changes to the Code, which is presently on a 3 year revision cycle.  Testing from experts across the U.S. is submitted to aid in these proposed revisions for CSST safety.  The materials submitted address the dangers posed by CSST in the presence of electrical energy and propose scientifically validated solutions to these dangers when using CSST in gas plumbing.  The submissions address materials, methods of installation and protections that seek to eliminate the fire and explosion danger confronting millions of homeowners.

Ken and Becky Teel, the parents of Brennen Chase Teel, created the foundation in Brennen's name to raise awareness and tackle safety issues presented by the presence of CSST in homes.  Brennen was killed on August 24, 2012 as a result of a Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) failure in a home where the installation was "proper" according to the product manufacturer.  The failure was lightning induced.  Similar failures are occurring all over the United States threatening lives and homes.

The five proposed revisions are:

• 5.6.3.4 [Amendment] Corrugated Stainless Steel. Corrugated stainless steel tubing shall be listed in accordance with ANSI LC 1/CSA 6.26, Fuel Gas Piping Systems Using Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing. Only CSST that is capable of passing Standard LC-1027 (PMG Listing Criteria CSST) as modified shall be installed.
• 7.13.2 [Amendment] CSST gas piping systems, and gas piping systems containing one or more segments of CSST, shall be bonded to the electrical service grounding electrode system or, where provided, lightning protection grounding electrode system.
  No instruction or literature from a CSST manufacturer shall infer or imply that additional bonding is not needed.
• 7.13.2.4 [Amendment] Bonding connections shall be in accordance with NFPA 70, National Electrical Code. Installation of CSST shall not cause a violation of NFPA 70 (National Electric Code).
• 7.13.5 Ground fault current path for single layer conductive-jacket CSST
  The electrical conductivity of CSST shall conform with one of the following:
  (a) have a DC resistance of 5 milliohms per foot or less; or
  (b) be shielded by an electrical shunt of low impedance metallic composition that surrounds the coated stainless steel continuously from end to end.
• 7.13.6 Ground fault current path for CSST with insulative jacket The electrical conductivity of CSST shall conform with one of the following:
  (a) have a DC resistance of 5 milliohms per foot or less; or
  (b) be shunted by a parallel copper conductor of #10 AWG or larger connected at both ends.

Materials to substantiate the changes are submitted to the NFPA in the form of testing reports, video demonstrations and scientific data and literature.  These materials are new to the NFPA 54. They address threats posed to and by CSST related to household electric current and lightning energy.  This information will reshape how NFPA 54 codifies its rules relating to CSST and ensure that NFPA 54 is mindful that its codes must comport with and not deviate or cause violations of the National Electric Code (NFPA 70). According to counsel for the Foundation Marquette Wolf, "These changes address fundamental flaws in the existing codes that needlessly endanger lives."

Founders of the Brennen Teel Foundation Ken and Becky Teel agree:  This is the next step in our mission to educate and build awareness of CSST dangers.

SOURCE Brennen Teel Foundation