Soldering near gas pipes
I've run into a difficult situation on my bathroom/laundry room remodel. I need to solder a water supply elbow that is very close to the gas line. I figured I'd turn off the gas and vent that particular pipe by opening a valve (the dryer that this pipe feeds is already disconnected). Any suggestions? My primary goal here is not to blow myself or the house up.
<<How close are you to the gas line? About an inch <<Is it steel, flex copper, or something else? I'm not 100% sure (I've only done the most basic work with gas) but I believe the pipes are steel. << Is there a pracitcal way to put a heat shield between the pipe you're working on and the gas line? I'm off to the HD to ask in a little while. <<You can find fire resistan pads to put between yoru torch and the pipe. That may work. I'm going to ask at HD about that. I hadn't thought of that. << What kind of torch are you using? Nothing unusual. I think the gas is propane (possibly butane)...one of the "anes". << What size pipe are you sweating? 1/2 inch. << It's possible if you're that worried to get ahold of two part copper bonding epoxy and essentially glue it together. I've never tried gluing copper pipe, but it is possible. I've never tried gluing copper either. However, since this is a water supply using glue probably isn't a good solution.
If your sweating near steel the you don't have to worry to much about heating the pipe by sweating near it. If your close to a joint though you could cook the Dope right out of the joint though so be careful. Don't think to hard here! If you go to home depot and the actually have a heat shield recommendation I'll be stunned. All you need to do is use something that will stop the torch flame from impending on the gas pipe. We used to use old hand saws. The plate would kepp the heat off, and my former employer paid for my tools anyway. butane)...one of the "anes". I believe green and blue are propane, I know yellow is Mapp gas. Mapp burns hotter, which means a faster joint, which means less time on the pipe. It alsomeans less margine of error for pointing the torch at the wrong thing. WE bought the stuff to experiment with, but never realy used it, It's formulated specifically for copper, and is good up to 175 degrees and 200psi or some such. Seemed like good stuff but 175 was way to low for fire sprinkler use. The afore mentioned heating clamp sounds like it could work to, if you use it plaes post a review I'm curious to see how it would do.
As far as safety be sure that the gas is turned off at the meter and that you allow the existing gas in the line to escape. You also will want to keep the line open so as the pipe heats from the soldering any gas in there that expands can escape. Just don't solider near any fittings in the gas line as that is the most likely place there would be a leak. Remember gas is pretty safe to work with it only burns when the proper mixture occurs. The only thing I would make sure to have is a fire extinguisher in case a small fire occurs from the torch flame touching some wood. I have seen an entire house go up in flames because a plummer allowed his torch flame to touch a joist next to the pipe he was solidering. It was a hot windy day just the right condidions.
Thanks for all of the suggestions and advice. After talking with a few people at HD, I ended up purchasing a reusable burlap (it sure looks like burlap) heat shield that protects up to 2000 degrees. I placed it over the gas pipe and soldered away--didn't even need to turn off the gas. It worked wonderfully and I'm still 100% intact, so mission accomplished. Thanks.