| Overview:
 CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing) consists of a continuous, flexible, stainless steel pipe with an exterior polyethylene covering and is a promising alternative to traditional threaded black-iron gas piping for residential and commercial applications. It is flexible, light weight, and requires fewer connections and fittings , which can make it easier to install.
 Combining CSST with gas convenience outlets, allows for quick appliance connection and reconfigurations. The benefits of CSST and convenience outlets can add up to substantial labor savings for installers and builders, and offer increased flexibility for homeowners and commercial applications into the future.
 Applications:
CSST has gained wide acceptability in new construction residential as well as commercial applications. CSST can go anywhere - around obstructions, across attics, or between joists and studs. You pull it just like electric wiring. Protect it with striker plates where required and your options can be endless. CSST must be installed by a qualified person who has passed the manufacturer’s training program.
 Convenience outlets are fairly inexpensive and allow for future gas appliance installations or easy reconfigurations. At home creating an outdoor room is becoming increasingly more popular and having a convenience outlet installed during home construction allows for easy addition of natural gas barbeques, patio heaters, fire pits, spa heaters, etc. In a restaurant, the kitchen equipment can be reconfigured to meet specific needs as easily as rolling it around and plugging in the quick connector.
Characteristics
CSST is available in sizes up to 2” and can accept all available fuel gas pressures. Products are available for indoor, outdoor, and underground.
Gas convenience outlets (GCO) come standard with automatic shut-off valves with a safety interlocking feature. The interlocking feature prevents disconnecting the appliance when the ball valve knob is in the on position. The GCO also comes standard with a thermo protection device that prevents the gas from flowing to an appliance if a fire occurs and the temperature reaches or exceeds 200 degree F. Decorative covers for the gas convenience outlet are available in white, black and satin chrome plated.
CSST versus Black Iron Pipe
 Bends and conforms by hand - Pull gas pipe like electrical wire
- Saves up to 75% of installation time
- Cuts with a standard tube cutter
- No threading or welding hassles
- CSST weighs a fraction of black pipe
- No special tools to seal the fittings
Gas Convenience Outlets
- Inside: Makes gas appliance installation and removal simple, convenient and safe.
- Outside: Allows for addition of gas grills, patio heaters, fire pits, etc. that allows living to be extended outdoors for greater periods of time.
- Insurers, Fire Officials and Building Inspectorsare quick to recognize the added safety of fewer open gas lines and the decreased potential for fuel fed fires where the gas outlet is installed.
General Economics
CSST is easier to run than black iron. It is flexible and can make turns without the use of elbows. It can be cut with a standard tube cutter and no special pipe threading equipment is required. Overall the cost to install CSST is normally less expensive than installing black iron fuel line in a typical home.
Gas convenience outlets are very inexpensive and at a minimum every new home should have one installed in the back of the home to be ready to take full advantage of extending living to the outdoors.
More Information:
CSST:
Omega Flex Inc. www.omegaflex.com
Appliance Connectors:
Brass-Craft Mfg. Co www.brasscraft.com
GCO: MB Sturgis www.mbsturgis.com
 
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