Gas line for fireplace

[Tagkat]

I was wondering 2 things about a gas fireplace, in my home they use copper pipe for all the gas, what I want to do is to T off of the gas main like they did with the Waterheater and furnace. Should I run 1/2" soft copper line with compression fittings or run " 3/4" copper pipe with soldered joints? IF the latter do I have to use a special type of solder? Somebody mention silver solder that's why I'm wondering.

Thanks

[hj]

You can use either pipe, but do not use compression fittings. Solder them with whatever material your building department specifies. Usually soft solder is not recommended because it can come loose during a fire and cause an explosion, so "silver solder"/brazing is the preferred method.

[Tagkat]

meant flare fittings. How hard is it to silver solder/braze 1" copper with mapp gas?

[RioHyde]

Its not hard if you know what you're doing. I use oxy-acetylene, but I'm MAPP gas is fine. Silver soldering requires a much higher temp to melt than soft solder. The pipe and fittings will be just about red hot before the silver solder will melt. According to my gas installers manual (Cincinnati) "Copper pipe or tubing must be joined with flared connections or 1000 degree F solder. (Soft solder and compression joints are prohibited.). - The Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company Gas Installers Manual page G-3

Good luck