Index of Gas Plumbing Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Air Mixer - Commonly used in propane gas appliances, an air mixer is an orifice that draws oxygen from the surrounding area to mix with the propane gas in the line in order to create efficient combustion. Propane has a combustion ratio of 24:1 (the ratio of oxygen to gas required for complete combustion). Without providing adequate oxygen the resulting flames will produce soot. Using an air mixer helps prevent soot buildup and produce a more pleasant flame appearance. See also: Orifice, Venturi

B

BTU - Acronym for British Thermal Unit. It refers to the unit of work needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. In gas plumbing, BTU is commonly used as a rating for the maximum amount of energy an appliance can put out. In many cases, an appliance's BTU rating not only refers to the maximum output but the ideal amount of energy needed for proper use of the appliance.

Burner Pan - For both gas fireplaces and fire pits, a burner pan is used to harness the burner in order to ensure safe and secure use of the appliance. This pan serves several purposes for different appliances. In propane fire pits, it helps separate the air mixer from the burner in order to ensure proper oxygen mixing while for fireplaces it may serve to hold fire glass or other fire media.

C

D

E

Enclosure - The general term referring to the actual structure of your fire pit. Commonly, enclosures are made from paver blocks, stone, concrete or other non-combustible materials in order to enclose the fire.

F

Fire Glass - A type of fire media, fire glass refers to any sort of non-combustible glass that can be used as a decorative accent to a gas fireplace or fire pit. Fire glass comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, as well as colors and styles. Choosing fire glass should be an aesthetic choice, but be sure that your appliance is rated for use with glass.

Fire Media - The general term for any decorative enhancement used with gas-burning appliances, fire media refers to any type of lava rock, fire glass, ceramic fiber river rock, ceramic logs or other enhancements that can be used to decorate an appliance.

Flange Extension - In our version of the standard gas fire pit kit, the ball valve is located on the inside of the fire pit enclosure and a long key must be inserted through the sidewall to control the valve. In many cases, the standard ball valve is not long enough to allow the decorative flange to be installed on the outside, so a flange extension is used to make the connection.

G

Gas Line - In the industry, any type of pipe that carries gas is referred to as your gas line. Gas lines may be flexible or rigid and can vary in diameter. Gas line size and distance from the gas source will impact the final output of gas, these factors are considered when gas plumbers choose to lay gas line to an appliance.

Gas Logs - Typically ceramic in construction, gas logs provide a realistic decoration to both gas fireplaces and fire pits in order to more closely resemble a real wood-burning fire feature.

Gas Source - The general term for what type of gas you're using and where it begins. This may be a traditional portable propane tank or a central source. . In most urban areas, your gas source is natural gas and is located on the side or back of the house where it comes in from the public supply. For most rural areas, propane is more common, and it typically would be a large, stationary tank that the gas company comes out to fill.

Gas Supply - Closely related to gas source, gas supply more commonly refers to the quantity of gas, specifically how many BTU or how much gas pressure you have available for use.

H

I

Inside Dimension - When we reference the inside dimension or inside diameter, we mean the opening within your enclosure that your burner or fire occupies. This measurement is key for ordering the proper burner or burner pan.

Installation Collar - When using a fire pit pan for your project, installation collars may be used to provide a support for the pan to rest on. These collars can be mortared into the construction or flexible.

J

K

Key - Many old types of gas appliances feature manual ball valves to control the flow of gas to the appliance. In many cases, these valves are controlled by keys that open and close the valve.

L

Lava Rock - Another type of fire media, lava rock is a naturally occurring rock that is porous, relatively light and contains no moisture, the latter being the most important when it comes to decorating a gas appliance. Many river rocks or other naturally occurring rocks have small amounts of water trapped inside that will be converted to steam when heated, potentially causing dangerous or damaging explosions.

Local Codes - The gas industry is heavily regulated both federally and locally to ensure safe practice when using flammable gases. When we refer to local codes, we're indicating the zoning laws and regulations your city or state has enacted in order to continue the safe practice of using gas. Be sure to work with the proper authorities when planning a gas-related project.

M

N

Natural Gas - Methane, or more commonly natural gas, is a common fuel source in towns and cities where the local power company or government provides it to homes and businesses. Natural gas burns with a combustion ratio of 10:1 (oxygen to gas), and the minimum ignition temperature of natural gas is 1,150°F.

O

Orifice - Commonly used in propane gas appliances, an orifice is a gas fitting that features air holes that draw oxygen from the surrounding area to mix with the propane gas in the line in order to create efficient combustion. Propane has a combustion ratio of 24:1 (the ratio of oxygen to gas required for complete combustion). Without providing adequate oxygen the resulting flames will produce soot. Using an orifice helps prevent soot buildup and produce a more pleasant flame appearance. See also: Air Mixer, Venturi

P

Pressure - In our industry, gas pressure refers to a quantity of gas: how many BTU or how much gas you have available for use. Gas pressure can be measured in PSI or Water Column. See also: Gas Supply

Propane - Propane is most commonly the gas fuel type in rural areas where the nearby city's natural gas lines cannot reach. Propane gas burns with a combustion ratio of 24:1 (oxygen to gas), and the minimum ignition temperature of propane is 920°F.

PSI - Acronym for the imperial unit of measuring pressure, PSI (pounds per square inch) is the pressure resulting in the force of one pound applied to an area of one square inch. In our industry, Water Column is the more common unit of measurement as it is easier for plumbers to read. For reference, 1 PSI is roughly equal to 27.7 inches of Water Column. See also: Water Column

Q

R

Regulator - A common component used in gas appliances, a regulator can be installed in a gas line to adjust the gas pressure and volume reaching the fire feature. Many gas grills use regulators with the common 20-pound propane tank, and many gas appliances have regulators installed already.

S

T

U

V

Valve - All gas appliances need a way to control the flow of gas, and this is where a gas valve is installed. Valves come in a wide variety of types based on the appliance it controls or the manufacturer's intended purpose. Common valve types include ball valves, millivolt valves, servo motor valves, maxitrol valves, electronic ignition valves and so on.

Vent - Many gas appliances need adequate venting to allow the proper combustion to occur with the combination of oxygen and gas. In fireplaces, venting refers to the intake/exhaust from outside the home, while in fire pits it refers to vents located below the burner in order to intake fresh air and keep the unit cool. Vents are particularly important for propane units to prevent the gas from pooling and posing a safety hazard.

Venturi - Commonly used in propane gas appliances, a venturi is a gas fitting that features air holes that draw oxygen from the surrounding area to mix with the propane gas in the line to create efficient combustion. Propane has a combustion ratio of 24:1 (the ratio of oxygen to gas required for complete combustion). Without providing adequate oxygen the resulting flames will produce soot. Using a venturi helps prevent soot buildup and produce a more pleasant flame appearance. See also: Air Mixer, Oxygen

W

Water Column - Also known as an inch of water, the water column is an imperial unit of measurement for pressure just like PSI. The name originates from the convention of measuring certain pressure differentials across an orifice or pipeline the same way old mercury thermometers are used to show temperature difference in the raising and lowering of mercury based on pressure. For reference, 27.7 inches of Water Column equals 1 PSI. See also: PSI

X

Y

Z