Can schedule 40 PVC be used for natural gas?

Answer 1

The National Fuel Gas Code does permit its use for exterior, buried gas line only. None of th PVC can be above ground and must transition to black pipe before emerging above ground. The transition connection must be wrapped in plastic and taped with the appropriate pipe tape, or tarred. A trace wire must be buried in the trench above the gas line so that it can be located electronically and the pipe must be identified as gas. There is a yellow version of PVC specifically made for gas line use, but it is hard to find in some parts of the country. Otherwise you must bury the yellow caution tape for gas lines above it with the trace wire. This is the tape that looks like the yellow "Police Line Don't cross" tape but says "Caution gas" on it.

It is not approved for above ground and inside a building by itself. There are ways to encase it to make it possible for interior use, but for the most part you are better off sticking with black pipe inside a house.

As always your local building codes and jurisdiction may vary from this standard (not uncommon) so it is probably a good idea to check with your local code enforcement agency.

Note: when outside black pipe must be insulated or painted to protect it from the weather THUS many codes do allow and encourage galvanized pipe when exposed out doors

Answer 2

Is PVC safe from house to the meter?