TOPIC: Sediment trap location w/ gas flex line

Here is an emailed image I received from a fellow Nachi member, re-enforcing the issue of drip leg before flex.

I want to see the sediment leg between the shutoff valve and the appliance.  I think you are splitting hairs.  My personal preference would be just before the applicance to ensure that any condensation would fallout.  There are bigger fish to fry than than fighting over which end of the appliance connector the sediment left goes.  Move on.

Bruce, who's fighting, who are you kidding??? This a discussion on a message board topic. That's what the message board forum is for. It's for everyones opinion, as you did give yourself. Your opinion is correct, for needing it right before the appliance. This topic is if- there is a flex before the appliance. My point is if there is a flex line instead of stiff line right before the appliance than gravity will apply (unless the law of gravity has changed) w/ the flex loop before the drip leg it will settle before the drip in the flex loop. Think about it. In some ways it's similar (but different) to needing a high loop drain at your dishwasher. It's called gravity, sediment will settle in the flex loop or before if drip leg is after flex. So, why not put drip leg before flex, which is not stiff/ straight, but looped up or down.? ???

Don't know how they plumb homes in your area but often the gas and associated mositure and debris has gone up and down several times before it gets to the appliance.  We have many HVAC and water heaters located in attics.  Based on your theory the last elbow before the gas went up to the attic would be the ideal location for a sediment leg/condensation trap.

Again, I just want to see the condensation/sediment trap before the appliance.  Nobody ever emptiies the trap/leg anyway that I have ever heard.  Who is going to pay an HVAC contractor or plumber $75 an hr to shutoff the gas to each appliance, remove the end cap off each condensation leg/sediment trap, replace the cap and then light the pilot light for each and every appliance.  I bet I could count the number of people in my entire state on one hand. 

I understand your point and understand the validity of the reasoning.  I still think that you are fighting the wrong battle.  Is there a sediment leg/condensation trap within less than 3 ft before the gas line enters the appliance?  If yes, then move on.  If not, then comment about the missing leg/trap.

Technically you may be absolutely correct.  What are the possible consequences of having the trap/leg at the other side of the appliance connector?  Is the appliance going to fail?  Are residents going to be injured or killed?  Are you likely to be sued for not calling it out?  The AHJ has final say so on the proper placement.  If they like it, I have other things I need to be worrying about.

Sorry if I upset you.

Bruce, you didn't upset me, you seem to be the one upset especially w/ the longest post on here, some of it not even applying to the original comment. Your talking about injured or killed, sued, etc. This is a discussion that doesn't need to go that far on this topic and no one but you are taking this simple discussion to that level.
Quit telling me I am fighting or fighting a battle. You say you have other things to worry about, well who's worried here? It's only a discussion.
You move on, as you keep saying.
You say the AHJ has final say on location of drip leg, What about the manufacturer- Oh yeah, they might void the warranty of WH if there is not proper install. If it's up to the AHJ, then what do your clients need you for???

Yo Joe!
What are your thoughts on impurities in the NG/LP fuel passing by the smooth walled 'pre-' drip leg due to their lack of tangible weight and density, and then due to the turbulance created in the flexible "CSST" type piping, and no 'post-' drip leg, the impuritied get lodged in the metering valve orifice, preventing a complete seal upon shut-down? Would this scenario cause you to lose sleep, for fear of an unexpected fatal explosion?
?  ?