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Ward Manufacturing Logo

Call  1·800·248·1027


    WARDFlex® Tubing System

    Product Line    |    Technical Resources    |   FAQs

    WARDFlex® & WARDFlexMAX®

    The WARDFlex® corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) system revolutionized the gas plumbing industry with a time- and cost-saving solution to the inherent problems of rigid steel pipe in delivery installations.


    With unrivaled flexibility, WARDFlex® eliminates multiple service points at turns and connections and ensures reliable flow from gas meters to appliances, giving professional contractors a smart alternative to black-steel pipe and other CSST products.

    WARDFlex® & WARDFlexMAX® brochure cover showing our yellow and black corrugated stainles steel tubing (CSST)

    Product Features

    • Wide range of tubing sizes and coil lengths
    • Double annealing for maximum flexibility
    • Continuous run coils
    • Helium- and vacuum-tested
    • CSA certification for single-family, multi-family, commercial and industrial use
    • NEW! Available in convenient 26ft rolls in 1/2″-3/4″ sizes.
    • Easy customization options

    WARNING!

    This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.


    For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

    *This warning is in reference to WARDFlex® fittings only.

    WARDFlexMAX®

    The next generation of CSST, WARDFlexMAX®. This ultra-durable piping system delivers all of the benefits of the original WARDFlex® system, with a new conductive coating that disperses electric current across the length of the tubing when a single arc or indirect lightning strike occurs.


    For detailed information, visit our literature/downloads.


    • NEW! Available in convenient 26ft rolls in 1/2″-3/4″ sizes.

    WARNING!

    This product can expose you to chemicals including carbon black, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and methanol, which is known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm.


    For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov

    *This warning is in reference to WARDFlex® fittings only.

    Technical Resources

    WARDFlex® FAQs

    • Can WARDFlex® be buried underground?

      WARDFlex®/WARDFlex®MAX may be installed underground in/under a concrete slab when routed through a non-metallic, watertight conduit such as PVC pipe. The conduit used for protection must have an I.D. 1/2” larger than the O.D of the CSST. No fittings are permitted inside the conduit.

    • Can WARDFlex® be installed outdoors?

      WARDFlex® CSST products are approved by CSA/ANSI LC-1 CSA 6.26 for outdoor installation.

       

      *WARDFlex® fittings must be protected from the weather by being wrapped with self-fusing silicone tape or have shrink sleeves applied around the entire assembly. 


      *When installed outdoors between grade and six feet WARDFlex® must be protected inside non-metallic conduit or installed in a location where it will not be subjected to mechanical damage.

    • What pressure can WARDFlex® be tested at?

      Maximum test pressures recommended for all WARDFlex® and WARDFlex®MAX sizes is 40 PSI.

    • Can I mix and match system components with other brands of CSST?

      Only WARDFlex® components may be used in the system. Components from other CSST systems are not interchangeable. 

    • Where can I purchase WARDFlex®?

      Trained installers can purchase the WARDFlex® system through plumbing wholesale distributors. For more information, contact your WARDFlex® sales representative or Find a Local Rep

    • Do I need to size WARDFlex® by the length of the CSST run or the total length from appliance back to the meter/regulator?

      If you are using the longest length method of sizing, then you will need to size WARDFlex® by the total length of the line from the meter/regulator to the appliance at the end of the run even if WARDFlex® is only being used for fraction of the total run length. If you size only by the length of the WARDFlex® used (i.e. from the manifold to the appliance), then you run the risk of under-sizing the piping.

    • How do I determine the minimum pressure drop?

      The minimum pressure drop can be estimated or calculated using the equation below:


      Minimum Pressure Drop = Supply Pressure – Minimum Operating Pressure

    • How do I identify WARDFlex® CSST?

      WARDFlex® CSST can be identified by the print string. If the WARDFlex® logo is not visible where examined, then one may also look at the ICC listing also displayed on the WARDFlex® print string. Yellow WARDFlex® CSST will be marked with ICC ESR-1879 and WARDFlex®Max will be marked with ICC PMG-1100. WARDFlex® also requires an ID tag to be attached in a visible location (usually close to the appliance).

    • Are WARDFlex® fittings reusable?

      Yes, as long as there is no damage to the threads or the internal gasket. 

    • How far back should the WARDFlex® coating be stripped back?

      In order to properly assemble WARDFlex StepSaver fittings, a minimum of 4 corrugations of coating must be stripped off. While there is no maximum number of corrugations to cut back for the yellow-coated WARDFlex CSST, WARDFlex Max should be cut back no more than 5 corrugations due to the coating’s arc-resistant function. As a general rule of thumb, 4 to 5 corrugations is recommended for both product lines.

    • Can plastic supports or zip ties be used with WARDFlex®?

      Plastic supports and zip ties are not to be used with WARDFlex. The primary reason for this is that WARDFlex would become unsupported in the event of a fire. Per Section 4.1 of the Design & Installation Guide, tubing should be supported in a workman like manner with metallic pipe straps, bands, brackets, hangers or building structural components suitable for the size of piping support intervals are not to exceed those shown in Table 4.3. A proper support is one which is designed to be used as a pipe hanger, does not damage the tubing during installation, and provides full support of the tubing once installed.

    • Do Maxitrol regulators need to be vented to the outside?

      Maxitrol regulators do not need to be vented to the outside if they have the vent limiter installed and they are placed in an upright position with the stovepipe feature pointing upward. A vent protector is used in place of the vent limiter for outdoor installations to prevent debris and insects from getting inside the regulator.

    • Is WARDFlex® required to be bonded?

      Yes, WARDFlex® CSST must be bonded.

    • Is WARDFlex® considered bonded if it is connected to an appliance?

      While NFPA 54 section 7.13 states the gas-piping system “…shall be considered bonded when it is connected to appliances that are connected to the appliance grounding conductor of the circuit supplying that appliance,” Ward Manufacturing also requires supplemental direct bonding.

    • Should WARDFlex® be directly bonded using a bonding clamp and wire routed so as to provide an electrically continuous path to ground?

      Yes, Ward Manufacturing requires a supplemental direct bond. There are several methods that can be used to meet the installation requirements. See Technical Bulletin 2008-1, WARDFlex® CSST Electrical Bonding for details.

    • How many bonding connections are required per installation?

      A minimum of one (1) bond on the consumer outlet side of the gas meter is required per system.

    • Can a separate grounding electrode be installed to bond the WARDFlex® CSST system?

      No. The WARDFlex® CSST system is required to be bonded to the electrical service grounding system. The use of an independent grounding electrode could cause a difference in potential between the gas piping system and other metallic systems in the structure that are tied to the electrical service grounding system. This difference in potential could allow arcing to occur. In cases where no other options are present, a secondary grounding electrode may be installed but must be connected to a common grounding electrode conductor (i.e. electrical service grounding electrode) per the requirements of the National Electric Code.

    • Is bonding required for WARDFlexMAX®

      While similar to the WARDFlex® Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing piping system, WARDFlexMAX® CSST piping system has no additional bonding requirements imposed by the manufacturer. Installers must always check local codes to verify there are no conflicts with these instructions. WARDFlexMAX® is to be bonded in accordance with the National Electrical Code NFPA 70 Article 250.104 in the same manner as the minimum requirements for rigid metal piping. In the event of a difference between local code and WARDFlexMAX® electrical bonding instructions, local code will take precedence.

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