Section 416 (IFGS) Overpressure Protection Devices

Where the serving gas supplier delivers gas at a pressure greater than 2 psi for piping systems serving appliances designed to operate at a gas pressure of 14 inches w.c. or less, overpressure protection devices shall be installed. Piping systems serving equipment designed to operate at inlet pressures greater than 14 inches w.c. shall be equipped with overpressure protection devices as required by the appliance manufacturer’s installation instructions.

The requirements for pressure limitation shall be in accordance with Sections 416.2.1 through 416.2.5.

Where piping systems serving appliances designed to operate with a gas supply pressure of 14 inches w.c. or less are required to be equipped with overpressure protection by Section 416.1, each overpressure protection device shall be adjusted to limit the gas pressure to each connected appliance to 2 psi or less upon a failure of the line pressure regulator.

Where piping systems serving appliances designed to operate with a gas supply pressure greater than 14 inches w.c. are required to be equipped with overpressure protection by Section 416.1, each overpressure protection device shall be adjusted to limit the gas pressure to each connected appliance as required by the appliance manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Each overpressure protection device installed to meet the requirements of this section shall be capable of limiting the pressure to its connected appliance(s) as required by this Section 416.2.1, independently of any other pressure control equipment in the piping system.

Each gas piping system for which an overpressure protection device is required by Section 416 shall be designed and installed so that a failure of the primary pressure control device(s) is detectable.

Where a pressure relief valve is used to meet the requirements of Section 416, it shall have a flow capacity such that the pressure in the protected system is maintained at or below the limits specified in Section 416.2.1 under all of the following conditions:

1. The line pressure regulator for which the relief valve is providing overpressure protection has failed wide open.

2. The gas pressure at the inlet of the line pressure regulator for which the relief valve is providing overpressure protection is not less than the regulator’s normal operating inlet pressure.

Pressure-relieving or pressure-limiting devices shall be one of the following:

1. Pressure relief valve.

2. Monitoring regulator.

3. Series regulator installed upstream from the line regulator and set to continuously limit the pressure on the inlet of the line regulator to the maximum values specified by Section 416.2.1.

4. Automatic shutoff device installed in series with the line pressure regulator and set to shut off when the pressure on the downstream piping system reaches the maximum values specified by Section 416.2.1. This device shall be designed so that it will remain closed until manually reset.

The devices specified in this section shall be installed either as an integral part of the service or line pressure regulator or as separate units. Where separate pressure-relieving or pressure-limiting devices are installed, they shall comply with Sections 416.3.1 through 416.3.6.

Pressure-relieving and pressure-limiting devices shall be constructed of materials so that the operation of the devices will not be impaired by corrosion of external parts by the atmosphere or of internal parts by the gas. Pressure-relieving and pressure-limiting devices shall be designed and installed so that they can be operated to determine whether the valve is free. The devices shall be designed and installed so that they can be tested to determine the pressure at which they will operate and examined for leakage when in the closed position.

External control piping shall be designed and installed so that damage to the control piping of one device will not render both the regulator and the overpressure protection device inoperative.

Each pressure-relieving or pressure-limiting device shall be set so that the gas pressure supplied to the connected appliances does not exceed the limits specified in Section 416.2.1.

Where unauthorized operation of any shutoff valve could render a pressurerelieving valve or pressure-limiting device inoperative, one of the following shall be accomplished:

1. The valve shall be locked in the open position. Authorized personnel shall be instructed in the importance of leaving the shutoff valve open and of being present while the shutoff valve is closed so that it can be locked in the open position before leaving the premises.

2. Duplicate relief valves shall be installed, each having adequate capacity to protect the system, and the isolating valves and three-way valves shall be arranged so that only one relief valve can be rendered inoperative at a time.

The discharge stacks, vents and outlet parts of all pressure-relieving and pressure-limiting devices shall be located so that gas is safely discharged to the outdoors. Discharge stacks and vents shall be designed to prevent the entry of water, insects and other foreign material that could cause blockage. The discharge stack or vent line shall be not less than the same size as the outlet of the pressure-relieving device.

The fittings, pipe and openings located between the system to be protected and the pressure-relieving device shall be sized to prevent hammering of the valve and to prevent impairment of relief capacity.