Pro-Flex CSST
Pro-Flex offers a corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) system for natural or pro- pane gas that offers a flexible, labor-saving alternative to black steel pipe installations. Rigid steel installations require numerous fittings and cutting and threading of pipe which is extremely labor intensive. The fitting system and flexible quality of CSST eliminates the costs inherent with black steel pipe – labor savings alone can be up to 75%.
There was an inherent problem with the metal-to-metal fitting systems currently sold by competitors of Pro Flex. That problem was leaks due to “bad cuts” of the tube by installers. Metal-to-metal systems inherently require a very clean, almost perfect, cut to ensure the connection does not leak. In reality, producing a clean/perfect cut under field working conditions can be a significant challenge. And, of course, leaks require a costly, time consuming process of finding the leak, re-cutting the tube, replacing the fitting, and then re-testing. By contrast, the Pro-Flex dual-seal, gasket & O-ring system does not rely on a clean cut to accomplish its’ sealing process. In fact, the O-ring part of the system is not impacted at all by the cut of the tube as it seals against the end of the fitting approximately an inch away from the cut. The end result is a leak-free connection the first time – every time. And that’s why, unlike our competition, we have not changed our fitting system since its inception more than 20 years ago. “If it ain’t broke…”
Other advantages to the Pro-Flex system include:
- 1-piece Retainer Ring that won’t fall off the fitting during installation.
- Convenient, hand-tightening followed by 1/4 to 1/2 turn with a wrench to seal the fitting – no more cumbersome torqueing with wrenches on ladders, in crawl spaces, or in other confined spaces.
- Dual-size, inside-tapped fittings – ask any installer how handy this feature can be.
- Annealed tube that allows the tubing to bend and stay bent.
- Black — Flak Jacket™ arc-resistant versions.
INSTALLATION AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3…
1. Strip and remove plastic coating in the fourth valley and slide on nut.
2. Place Retainer and Slide Ring in the fourth valley. Place O-ring in third valley. Ensure gasket is in fitting.
3. Hand tighten nut followed by additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn with crescent wrench.
In low-pressure systems, the utility company supply pressure exiting the meter is 6 inches water column, and the maximum allowable pressure drop across the longest length from the meter to the farthest appliance is 1/2 inch water column. The gas supplied has a specified gravity of .60 and an energy content of 1 cubic foot per hour equals 1,000 BTU per hour
Minimum Bend Radius for Flak Jacket CSST
Tubing Size | Absolute Min. Bend Radius | Recommended Min. Bend Radius |
3/8″ | 9/16″ | 3″ |
1/2″ | 3/4″ | 3″ |
3/4″ | 1.0″ | 3″ |
1″ | 3.0″ | 5″ |
1-1/4″ | 3.0″ | 5″ |
Maximum Allowable Nut Tightening Torques for Connecting Fittings to Corrugated Stainless Steel
Size of Fitting | Maximum Allowable Tightening Torque |
3/8″ | 35 ft.-lb. |
1/2″ | 35 ft.-lb. |
3/4″ | 50 ft.-lb. |
1″ | 50 ft.-lb. |
1-1/4″ | 50 ft.-lb. |
TORQUING METHOD FOR FIELD ASSEMBLY
To achieve the proper Torque without a torque
wrench, first tighten the fitting adapter to the nut
until resistance to hand tightening is so that you can
no longer continue. Then, using a crescent wrench,
tighten to 1/4 to 1/2 turn.
CAUTION: DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN!
Natural Gas Capacity Table
- Maximum Capacity of Pro-Flex CSST per 1000 BTU
- Gas Pressure: 6-7 inches WC
- Pressure Drop: 0.5 inch WC
- Based on a 0.6 Specific Gravity Gas
- Based on Tubing length in feet
Tube Size | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 | 300 |
3/8″ | 64 | 45 | 37 | 32 | 29 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 |
1/2″ | 95 | 68 | 56 | 49 | 44 | 40 | 35 | 32 | 29 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 13 |
3/4″ | 283 | 200 | 163 | 141 | 126 | 115 | 100 | 89 | 81 | 75 | 70 | 66 | 63 | 51 | 44 | 40 | 36 |
1″ | 626 | 424 | 337 | 287 | 253 | 228 | 194 | 171 | 154 | 141 | 131 | 123 | 116 | 92 | 78 | 69 | 62 |
1-1/4″ | 950 | 671 | 547 | 474 | 423 | 386 | 334 | 299 | 273 | 252 | 236 | 222 | 211 | 172 | 149 | 133 | 121 |
Natural Gas Capacity Table
- Maximum Capacity of Pro-Flex CSST per 1000 BTU
- Gas Pressure: 6-7 inches WC
- Pressure Drop: 1.0 inch WC
- Based on a 0.6 Specific Gravity Gas
- Based on Tubing length in feet
Tube Size | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 | 300 |
3/8″ | 90 | 64 | 52 | 45 | 41 | 37 | 32 | 29 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 20 | 16 | 14 | 13 | 12 |
1/2″ | 132 | 95 | 78 | 68 | 61 | 56 | 49 | 44 | 40 | 37 | 35 | 33 | 32 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 19 |
3/4″ | 400 | 283 | 231 | 200 | 179 | 163 | 141 | 126 | 115 | 107 | 100 | 94 | 89 | 73 | 63 | 56 | 51 |
1″ | 925 | 626 | 498 | 424 | 373 | 337 | 287 | 253 | 228 | 209 | 194 | 181 | 171 | 136 | 116 | 102 | 92 |
1-1/4″ | 1346 | 950 | 775 | 671 | 600 | 547 | 474 | 423 | 386 | 357 | 334 | 315 | 299 | 244 | 211 | 188 | 172 |
Table includes losses for four 90 degree bends and two end fittings. For each additional 90 degree bend or end fitting, add 1.3 feet of tubing.