Re: Gas lines in the attic in lightning-prone areas
Not to minimize the risk of gas lines in the attic at all, but keep in mind the area where they actually run.
In my house the gas enters at the main, rises into the attic and goes 3 places. About 4 ft over, then down to the water heater, another couple of feet to the furnace, the dryer, then another couple of feet to the stove. These appliances are pretty close to one another. Perhaps a 20' run straight across the garage.
Unless you have a gas grill in a summer kitchen, there is a fairly small area with gas above it. The lines are not running through the entire house, but are minimized. The builders want the material costs to be as low as possible.
None of this means lightning won't hit the short run of gas lines where they are, and certainly the house in Sunset Ridge was hit above the garage, so it was this vulnerable spot.
Just keep in mind there aren't gas lines crossing all parts of the attic say the way our electric does.
|