Frequently Asked Questions
Q. "You say 5/8" O. D. flare (15/16" - 16 thread). What does that mean?"
A. The 5/8" O.D. refers to the outside diameter of the flex tubing. 15/16" refers to the size of the special flare fitting, and 16 thread refers to the number of threads per inch. 15/16" - 16 size and thread pitch is required for CSA design certification of 5/8" O.D. gas appliance connectors. Normal 5/8" O.D. flare fittings will not work with these specific gas flexes. The 15/16" - 16 thread flare fittings were designed to replace 5/8" flare fittings, that were originally used on 5/8" O.D. gas appliance connectors, because some installers were threading galvanized or black nipples directly into the 5/8" flare nuts which would then leak.
Q. "How can I measure my flare fitting to know if it is 15/16"-16 flare or another size?"
A. The 15/16"-16 male flare thread measures 15/16" diameter from the outside of the male threads. The flare threads have 16 threads per inch. The actual opening through the fitting is 1/2" inside diameter for the gas to flow through. The 15/16"-16 are 45° flare, but are not SAE fittings.
Q. "What is 'BTU'?"
A. BTU" is an abbreviation for "British Thermal Unit", and is a measurement of heat that's equal to the amount of heat necessary to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at sea level. One BTU is equal to about 250 calories.
Q. "I need a flexible gas connector that is exactly 18-inches long. Will your 18" gas flex work?"
A. It may, but it would best to buy a 24-inch gas flex to allow for slack in the line and prevent the possibility of stressing the gas flex.
Q. "Can I use these gas connectors in my RV or trailer?"
A. No. Vibration occurs in any moving vehicle (RV or trailer), which could cause the connection to vibrate itself loose and become a serious safety hazard. For those types of applications you must have a non-vibrational connection, which these flexes do not support.
Q. "I've heard that gas connectors need to be changed every ten years or less for safety. Is there any truth in that?"
A. No, the stainless connectors that we sell will generally last as long as your house (if not repeatedly moved or physically damaged). Sometimes older, non stainless steel, coated or uncoated budget gas connectors can be a real safety hazard. Some older, uncoated brass connectors have a serious flaw that can, over time, cause a leak, fire or explosion. These uncoated brass connectors have not been made for more than 20 years but are still in use and sometimes are sold at garage sales, etc. The older these connectors get, the greater the possibility of failure.
Appliance connectors have been used for years, because they are made of corrugated piping and can be shaped to fit in spaces between your appliances and gas piping. But these connectors aren't made to last a lifetime, nor are they made to withstand the stress put on them when appliances are moved frequently. Although not all uncoated connectors have this flaw, it's very difficult to tell which ones do.
We believe that any uncoated brass connector should be replaced immediately with one of our new stainless steel connectors. Replace any connector that appears corroded or appears brittle. Check occasionally for gas odor. If you smell gas, or if you hear gas leaking, close the appliance shut-off valve, but only if you can do this without moving the appliance or connector. If the valve can't be shut off without moving something, shut off the main gas shut-off to the house right away, evacuate everyone from the house immediately, opening windows and doors as you go. Do not use your telephone, operate any gas or electric appliances, or turn light switches on or off. Sparks from any of these could ignite the gas. Immediately contact a trusted local professional as well as your gas provider to ensure that the issue is properly corrected.
Code requires that a new gas appliance connector must be used for a new appliance, when moving an appliance to a new location, or as a result of damage (ANSI Z21.24/CSA 6.10 and ANSI Z21.75/CSA 6.27). It is a good idea to always install a new gas connector when you replace an appliance. Again, we highly recommend that you immediately replace any uncoated brass connectors with a quality stainless steel or brand new, coated connector and as always, before installing any product, check your local plumbing codes..
For safety, only use one connector for each appliance. Never use two connectors together to extend the length.
