• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
  • ENGINEERS
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
  • INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
  • RESOURCES
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP!
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • CONTRACTORS
  • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
  • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
  • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • WATER TREATMENT
  • PMC COLUMNS
  • PMC COLUMNS
  • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
  • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
  • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
  • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
  • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
  • CONTINUING EDUCATION
  • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
  • FIRE PROTECTION
  • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
  • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
  • PME COLUMNS
  • PME COLUMNS
  • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
  • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
  • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
  • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
  • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
  • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
  • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
  • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
  • CODES
  • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
  • PROJECT PROFILES
  • COLUMNS
  • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • COLUMNS
  • Codes Corner
  • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
  • Guest Editorial
  • MEDIA
  • PODCASTS
  • VIDEOS
  • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
  • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
  • DIRECTORIES
  • EBOOKS
  • PM BOOKSTORE
  • CE CENTER
  • MARKET RESEARCH
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
  • EMAGAZINE
  • ARCHIVE ISSUES
  • CONTACT
  • ADVERTISE
  • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
search
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
    • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
    • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • WATER TREATMENT
    • PMC COLUMNS
      • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
      • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
      • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
    • CONTINUING EDUCATION
    • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
    • FIRE PROTECTION
    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
    • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
    • PME COLUMNS
      • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
      • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
      • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
      • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
    • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
    • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
    • CODES
    • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
    • PROJECT PROFILES
    • COLUMNS
      • Codes Corner
      • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
      • Guest Editorial
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
    • DIRECTORIES
    • EBOOKS
    • PM BOOKSTORE
    • CE CENTER
    • MARKET RESEARCH
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
  • SIGN UP!

CSST: To Be Or Not To Be

By Eric Sticken
August 31, 2001
This technology promises time savings and a better result, but can contractors accept it?

Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) was introduced to the American market in 1987, when it became listed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Prior to this, CSST had been used in Japan and Europe since 1980 with excellent results. It was hailed as one of the greatest technological advances in delivering fuel gas to residential appliances. The steel tubing had several advantages over black steel pipe, which had been used for fuel gas for the past century.

One of the most dramatic benefits of the new material was the amount of installation time it could save. Even though CSST was substantially more expensive than the traditional black steel, its overall price, including labor and material costs, was cheaper than black pipe.

It also featured many benefits over the traditional method in its durability and practicality. CSST has a proven resistance to leaks - due to far fewer connections made during installation. When black pipe is installed, every time the pipe changes direction, a joint needs to be fitted and checked for leaks. CSST offers flexibility and is able to be snaked through walls and around obstacles with fittings placed only at the ends of the run. By most estimates, CSST can be installed in under 25 percent of the time it takes to install black pipe.

Many contractors have realized the benefits of using CSST. In the first 10 years of CSST's existence in the American market, sales of the material have exploded, going from 200,000 feet sold during 1988 to 1990 to more than 20 million feet sold in 1998 alone. From 1996 to 1997, sales doubled as CSST became accepted into the BOCA National Mechanical Code and the ICBO Uniform Mechanical Code.

However, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) is having difficulties deciding whether or not to accept the material and approve it in its code.

The Battle

One of the primary reasons cited by IAPMO to not certify CSST is its lack of interchangeability. There are currently six manufacturers of CSST. Each of these manufacturers designs their product so they are not interchangeable with other manufacturers' versions of CSST. Installations of CSST require someone who is officially trained by the specific manufacturer of the product.

However, according to Dan Roberts, senior applications engineer of TiteFlex Corp., manufacturers produce CSST in this manner so the company can sell the product as a system with a warranty.

"Aside from this," says Roberts, "CSST is not interchangeable, but it is inter-connectable by standard fittings. PEX tubing was also not recognized for a long time because the systems were not interchangeable, but they are inter-connectable, so eventually PEX tubing became accepted. I think the same thing will happen with CSST."

In the IAPMO Report on Proposals, which is the document that shows the actions to be taken by IAPMO, Sidney Cavanaugh, special representative for the United Association, is one of three who voted not to accept CSST. In his explanation, he cites eight reasons for his dissenting opinion. (This document is available at www.iapmo.org/common/ROP_UPC/UPC_ROP_doc2.pdf on pg. 50.)

One concern of Cavanaugh's is CSST's lack of resistance to punctures from nails being driven into the wall by homeowners. Roberts counters that CSST is puncture resistant because, in most cases where CSST is fed through the walls, it is hanging and is likely to move aside when a nail penetrates the wall. In places where the tubing is attached to something (therefore immobile), it is protected by hardened steel puncture plates that deflect nails and are puncture proof.

Each of the reasons Cavanaugh cites for not accepting CSST has a counter-argument from the manufacturers. The argument over whether or not to accept CSST in building codes is being fought presently and most publicly in the state of California.

In the meantime, IAPMO is trying to promote its set of building codes, the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) and the Uniform Mechanical Code (UMC) to be the standard body of plumbing and mechanical codes in the United States. For this to happen, IAPMO needs to be listed by ANSI. However, this requires some degree of cooperation with existing national code developers - including the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), whose code covers fuel gas piping and accepts CSST. In the mid-1990s, IAPMO partnered with NFPA (which is ANSI listed) and incorporated all of the language used in NFPA.54.

This opened the door for CSST to be used where local codes would allow. In California, CSST was used extensively under the allowance of local codes. It became a favored material not only because of its time-saving capabilities, but because of its resistance to damage in earthquakes. Factory Mutual Research has approved CSST for flammable gas piping systems - meaning it has been tested in seismic simulations alongside black pipe. In Japan's, where earthquakes are an even greater threat than California, the largest cities require CSST for residential gas piping.

Even with all of its practical advantages, CSST is not the industry standard. Even though CSST is both ANSI listed and NFPA certified, IAPMO still has not recognized the material, which is the main obstacle keeping CSST from widespread use in areas such as New York City, Chicago and California. Note, that is widespread use. It is already being used in most jurisdictions via local variances in fuel gas codes.

Links

  • IAPMO
  • GRI
  • AGA

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Eric Sticken is a former associate editor of M magazine.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Worker using the Milwaukee Tool SWITCH PACK drain cleaner

    Pipeline profits: Drain cleaning, pipe inspection create opportunities

    Drain cleaning and inspection services offer lucrative...
    Green Plumbing and Mechanical
    By: Nicole Krawcke
  • Uponor employee, Arturo Moreno

    The reinvestment in American manufacturing and training

    Plumbing & Mechanical Chief Editor Nicole Krawcke and...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke and Natalie Forster
  • March 2024 Women in Plumbing hero image of woman engineer overlayed by circle of hexagon shapes with numbers from 1 to 10

    Celebrating 10 Influential Women in the Plumbing Industry

    Celebrating Women's History Month and Women in...
    Plumbing News
    By: Nicole Krawcke
Subscribe For Free!
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • eMagazine
  • Manage My Preferences

AI can boost efficiency and profitability for plumbing, HVAC contractors

AI can boost efficiency and profitability for plumbing, HVAC contractors

IPEX celebrates grand opening of new Florida distribution center

IPEX celebrates grand opening of new Florida distribution center

NIBCO Press Solutions

NIBCO Press Solutions

Bell & Gossett Illustrates Path to Net-zero at AHR Expo

Bell & Gossett Illustrates Path to Net-zero at AHR Expo

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Plumbing & Mechanical audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Plumbing & Mechanical or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • J.J. Keller CMV vehicles on road
    Sponsored byJ. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.

    The dash cam game-changer for small business safety

Popular Stories

Underfloor heating installation with drain sewer hole in bathroom close up on water floor heating.

Using hydronics to leverage time-of-use electrical rates

The interior of a government building.

President Trump signs executive order promoting skilled trades and apprenticeships

Watts Nexa mobile image

Behind the Wall: Where smart plumbing gets smarter

PMCE Home-X April 29 Free Webinar: From Legacy to Leadership: Preparing Your Home Services Business for the Next Generation

Events

November 13, 2024

Future Proofing MEP: Navigating the 2026 High Efficiency Water Heating Standards

Join our deep dive into DOE’s new standards so you can future-proof your MEP practice.

EARN: 0.1 ASPE CEU; 1 AIA LU/HSW; 0.1 IACET CEU*; 1 PDH

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Will business be up or down in 2025?

Do you anticipate business in 2025 to be up or down in comparison to 2024?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Water Came To A Stop

The Water Came To A Stop

See More Products

Download the FREE Water Conservation, Quality & Safety eBook: Plumbing Trends Increasing Safe Water Availability

Related Articles

  • Radiant With A Solar Boost
    International

    See More
  • Hi-V In D.C.

    See More
  • 6,000 Parts, One Truck

    See More
×

Keep your content unclogged with our newsletters!

Stay in the know on the latest plumbing & piping industry trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Supply House Times
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook instagram twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • CONTRACTORS
    • BATH & KITCHEN PRO
    • BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
    • HIGH EFFICIENCY HOMES
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • WATER TREATMENT
    • PMC COLUMNS
      • Dave Yates: Contractor’s Corner
      • John Siegenthaler: Hydronics Workshop
      • Kenny Chapman: The Blue Collar Coach
      • Matt Michel: Service Plumbing Pros
      • Scott Secor: Heating Perceptions
  • ENGINEERS
    • CONTINUING EDUCATION
    • DECARBONIZATION | ELECTRIFICATION
    • FIRE PROTECTION
    • GEOTHERMAL | SOLAR THERMAL
    • PIPING | PLUMBING | PVF
    • PME COLUMNS
      • Christoph Lohr: Strategic Plumbing Insights
      • David Dexter: Plumbing Talking Points
      • James Dipping: Engineer Viewpoints
      • John Seigenthaler: Renewable Heating Design
      • Lowell Manalo: Plumbing Essentials
      • Misty Guard: Guard on Compliance
  • RADIANT & HYDRONICS
    • RADIANT COMFORT REPORT
    • THE GLITCH & THE FIX
  • INSIGHTS
    • CODES
    • GREEN PLUMBING & MECHANICAL
    • PROJECT PROFILES
    • COLUMNS
      • Codes Corner
      • Natalie Forster: Editorial Opinion
      • Guest Editorial
    • SPONSOR INSIGHTS
  • MEDIA
    • PODCASTS
    • VIDEOS
    • WEBINARS
  • RESOURCES
    • INDUSTRY CALENDAR
    • DIRECTORIES
    • EBOOKS
    • PM BOOKSTORE
    • CE CENTER
    • MARKET RESEARCH
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • CONTACT
    • ADVERTISE
    • PME EMAGAZINE ARCHIVES
  • SIGN UP!