I am installing a standby generator (Generac 20KW) to NG. My run is about 10 feet along a stone wall from the gas meter and then about 2.5 feet out to the gen. This will be 1" pipe just above ground level. In no case will it be buried but it will be exposed.

Two questions come up. One is the use of black iron vs. galvanized. I know all the opinions etc. and most of the problems with galvanized date well back into the 20th century probably when manufactured gas was being used and the galvanizing was poor quality. My question is which one would be better to use in this situation. I would be painting either one. I have investigated the National Fuel Gas Code 2012 and it states either pipe is acceptable. My local utility uses galvanized outside from the meter for the first 5 feet into the premises. Also other "professional" installations I have seen in the area have used both. I want to use whatever would last longer and give me the least trouble.

The second question is drip legs. I have always used them but all of my installations have been indoors. There could be an argument to not use one outdoors in an area that freezes but it seems every installation I have seen uses one. This freezing issue would apply to most of the US with the exception of a few states but it still seems to be widely used. I suspect the drip leg period is also a very dated requirement back when gas could have dirt and water in it. I think that is rarely if ever the case now. Even so I would rather use one and I wonder if a burst drip leg due to freezing of water that will probably never be in there would ever be a problem?

All I can address is my experience in Chicago and Phoenix. In Chicago, we only used black pipe because the gas would attack the galvanizing and deposit flakes in the burner and valves. Here, we use both, with galvanized required outdoors. it does not have to be painted but does have to be at least 12" above the ground.

Your response is confusing because in one sentence you said in Chicago you use black iron because of the flaking of galvanized then you said in AZ you use galvanized outside. Obviously it can't be both. Either today's galvanized is acceptable for gas or it isn't. The National fuel gas code says it is acceptable. I personally don't gave a darn about local codes in cases like this because if it is acceptable by a national agency then it should be acceptable everywhere not someones opinion. It has nothing to do with a geographical area. The problem with things like this is that they never die even if the world changes. Yes, it might have been a problem many many years ago but apparently it is not today.

I would use galvanized pipe in this case

Black iron pipe needs to be painted if outside and galv is a little more but this would be my choice Galv pipe was not allowed because of flaking issues and poor quality
It was also rumored that the galv process could disguise pin hole flaws in pipe which really does not add up sediment traps are required in many areas to trap crap in gas pipes but only for appliances that are nor reqularly monitored such as gas furnaces water heaters etc not BBQ's cook tops etc because if crap gets in the gas burners it is obviousThe sediment trap Gas has to change direction for the trap to work and not just" pass over" the leg hoping that gravity will drop debris I see sediment traps installed more wrong that correctly regarging this

You are misunderstanding. The difference in the gas is what determines which pipe is acceptable. If the local jurisdiction allows galvanized, then THAT gas is not corrosive to it.

MINIMUM of 12" above grade

imo: also above your (perceived) snow line

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

"At least" equals "minimum"

6 of 1 does NOT equal 1/2 of a baker's dozen


your turn



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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

It does after you eat the half.

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638