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Propane Fittings - What Not to Use

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  • Propane Fittings - What Not to Use

    DO NOT USE COMPRESSION FITTINGS IN PROPANE LINES!

    Encountered a RV where the owner was noticing the faint smell of propane. Tracked the issue down to a modification to the factory propane system to install a quick connect for a grill. The installer had used soft copper tubing and compression fittings for the extension.

    From a practical standpoint even when tightened very tight the compression fittings from the hardware or big box stores have a tendency to leak. An almost non existent leak in a water line isn’t a safety issue, combustible gas is a different story.

    From a “code” standpoint, the National Fire Protection Association standard for RVs (NFPA 1192) allows flare fittings or brazing to join copper tubing. Compression fittings are not allowed.

    As typical there are Is almost always an exception. Some connections within appliances like water heaters and furnaces use compression fittings. These are allowed as the appliances are separately tested and approved.
    Colan Arnold
    2016 Momentum 397TH
    Full time since 2016

  • #2
    And never use the white Teflon tape. If you're going to use tape on any type of gas fitting, use the yellow tape that will not degrade in the presence of gas.

    Jim
    Jim and Ginnie
    2024 Solitude 310GK
    GDRV Technical Forum Moderator
    GDRV Rally Support Coordinator

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    • #3
      Originally posted by TucsonJim View Post
      And never use the white Teflon tape. If you're going to use tape on any type of gas fitting, use the yellow tape that will not degrade in the presence of gas.

      Jim
      As an addendum to this advice, only use the correct yellow Teflon tape (or gas line pipe dope) on a tapered pipe thread fitting. Never on a flared fitting.

      Rob
      Cate & Rob
      (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
      2015 Reflection 303RLS
      2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
      Bayham, Ontario, Canada

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      • #4
        Originally posted by colan View Post
        DO NOT USE COMPRESSION FITTINGS IN PROPANE LINES!

        Encountered a RV where the owner was noticing the faint smell of propane. Tracked the issue down to a modification to the factory propane system to install a quick connect for a grill. The installer had used soft copper tubing and compression fittings for the extension.

        From a practical standpoint even when tightened very tight the compression fittings from the hardware or big box stores have a tendency to leak. An almost non existent leak in a water line isn’t a safety issue, combustible gas is a different story.

        From a “code” standpoint, the National Fire Protection Association standard for RVs (NFPA 1192) allows flare fittings or brazing to join copper tubing. Compression fittings are not allowed.

        As typical there are Is almost always an exception. Some connections within appliances like water heaters and furnaces use compression fittings. These are allowed as the appliances are separately tested and approved.
        colan

        Definitely good advice where copper compression fittings should never be used inside or outside IMO. Most flexible gas lines and black pipe unions are compression and are properly suited to indoor connections. My home which was on propane before converting to natural gas was connected outside with a copper line with compression fittings at each end. Never cared for that but several gas companies did it this way.
        Good advice on the Yellow teflon tape where I was unaware this existed. I've always used pipe dope.

        Jim

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