[katezbox]

Originally Posted by faithfulfrank

Are you sure you do not mean black iron pipe?

At least up here in NY, galvanized pipe for gas lines is against code. the galvanization flakes off the inside and can clog burners. We only use black iron pipe up here, although I have seen soft copper used with flare fittings for some small appliances.

I am a professional firefighter up here in NY. Any house fire I've been at that was started by lightning had enough damage done to it by the fire itself that a gas line would not have changed the outcome.

The sad truth is that with many homes now being built with truss construction, 24" on center, glued I joists, etc, homes are almost disposable. If there is much fire at all homes are almost a total loss many times.

That being said, I have not studied the impact on gas lines in a attic residential house fire. It does seem to me though that some "improvements" are fueled by fear more than fact, and that some contractors are profiting from it. I designed and built my own home up here in NY, and have run a lot of black iron gas line, and that amount seems high to me. I would speak to the local building inspectors and fire dept to get their take on the issue before making any decision.

Frank

Frank,

Most posters subsequent to you have seemed to ignore your comment that the house would most likely have burned anyway.

Thanks for your insight.

Kate