WARDFlex® Tubing System

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Minimum Pressure Drop = Supply Pressure – Minimum Operating Pressure

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

Yes, WARDFlex® CSST must be bonded.

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.

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.

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

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.