Over the last several years fires have occurred that have been attributed to the failure of CSST when hit by lightning.

An article by Mark Goodson, P.E. and Lee Green, P.E. has been brought to our attention, and we felt that it was important to share with you.

There has been much discussion regarding the bonding and grounding of CSST. The manufacturers believe that their instructions pointed the installer to so-called direct bonding, but their instructions also warned the user to follow the NEC. The CSST Industry has maintained that direct bonding and grounding will help prevent CSST from receiving lighting damage.

CSST (Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing) has been used for approximately two decades to pipe and deliver fuel gas in businesses and residences in lieu of conventional black pipe. Lightning vulnerability of CSST has been documented in research. Goodson and Green outline another issue that is posed by the use of CSST – its impact on the ability of overcurrent devices to promptly clear electrical faults that are present within a structure.

Click on the image or follow this link to read their report. http://goodsonengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/A-Hidden-CSST-Electrical-Danger.pdf

Related reading:

Investigating the Casual Link between Lightning Strikes, CSST and Fire, Mark Goodson, Mark Hergenrether

Defects in Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) – Parker Waichman LLP