When determining the size of the gas piping system you require to provide an adequate supply of natural gas to your commercial kitchen equipment, you must calculate the maximum demand, based on all the appliances running at the same time. The size of gas piping is then determined by tables in the Standard Gas Code.

Check each appliance for the plate detailing its Btu input rate, also known as its maximum gas demand. Gas appliance manufacturers must display this information prominently on appliances.

Make a list of the Btu rates for all the gas appliances in the kitchen and add up the rates to get a total.

Call your local gas supplier and ask for the gas pressure at the point of delivery for your location. Also ask which table from the Standard Gas Code you should use. You must comply with local regulations as to which calculating tables to use to size pipes.

Locate the specific calculation table the gas supplier named in Step 3 and use it to determine the size of pipe for the total Btu amount for all your commercial appliances.

Tip

Your local building control or code enforcement department can also help you with these calculations. Your equipment must pass code inspections before you can open a commercial kitchen. Failure to use the correct pipe size will result in your failing the inspection.

Warning

Use qualified gas technicians to install your appliances and connect them to a gas supply. They will ensure the correct size of pipe is used.