How do I know if there is CSST in my home?

Having a licensed plumber ​inspect your home is the best way to determine if you have CSST in your home. However often you can identify CSST easily. You will need to find where your main gas or propane line comes into your home. Look for the lines/tubes/pipes that run from that location to your gas/propane appliances. If the lines are flexible you likely have CSST, copper and black iron pipe may also be used however they are non flexible.  Typically yellow jacketed CSST is the first generation product and black jacketed is a second generation product. If the CSST is yellow and less then three feet in length it may be an appliance connector which is generally regarded as safe and is a different product, however it's best to have a professional confirm this.

What should I do if there is CSST in my home?

If you have CSST in your home it is our opinion the safest option is to contact a licensed plumber and have it replaced with black iron pipe. However if you are unable to have CSST removed from your home awareness is important. Though lightning is not the only way for CSST to fail it does seem to be the most frequent scenario.  If your home is struck by lightning or if there is a lighting strike adjacent to home you should be vigilant. Often CSST fires are not immediately evident because the failure is often located inside of the wall, floor, attic, or basement. If you suspect a fire in your home within several hours of a lightning strike you should evacuate the building and dial 911. Let the 911 dispatcher know that you suspect a lighting strike and CSST is present in your home. 

Is there safe CSST?

In our opinion some CSST products are safer then others. However, because the amount of energy in a lighting strike can very greatly we would not say that any CSST is completely safe. In addition to lightning there are a number of other variables that will impact the potential for failure of CSST under lighting strike conditions.