CSST Gas Tubing

CSST Gas Tubing Resources

CSST Gas Tubing

Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) is a flexible product that is used to deliver natural gas or liquid propane from the manifold to a gas appliance. A dedicated CSST line is installed for each gas appliance and these lines are routed in the void spaces created by the flooring joists. The same thin metal composition of CSST that makes it flexible also makes it susceptible to damage and physical breaches (e.g., nail/screw punctures) and arcing from electrical sources. Lt. Flynn and BC Laird were killed in separate but similar fires that started due to CSST failure during a lightning strike to the home.

Environmental studies and home building trends suggest the potential for an increase in CSST fires as the frequency and intensity of severe storms rise and the number of homes and utilization of this material increases. Added to this is the push to build larger homes.

Phoenix Advocates will:

Educate the fire service on risks and response tactics for suspected CSST fires
Collect data on CSST fires
Educate consumers and trades on CSST variations and alternatives
Support legislation, such as the Flynn-Laird Act in Maryland (HB 1502)
Encourage industry investment in the production of safer products

For more information, training resources, investigation reports, legislative updates and reporting/data collection please visit www.csstinfo.com

Report A CSST Fire

Fire service resources
Training INFORMATION, Fire Reports, webinars

General CSST Resources
research documents, Links to other organizations

CSST Training Offerings

Phoenix Advocates offers free training on CSST for the fire service and adjacent industries. The CSST training is approximately 2 hours long. We present a case study and detailed timeline review of two line-of-duty death (LODDs) that occurred while fighting a fire resulting from a lightning-induced failure of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) propane gas line. Attendees will also learn about the different types of CSST and how to identify them as well as the various failure modes. The intended outcome of attending this training is to be able to identify potential CSST fires during scene size up if not prior to arrival and understand the recommended response tactics for a suspected CSST fire.

Occasionally a 4 hour CSST training is available in collaboration with the ATF's Fire Investigation and Arson Enforcement Division (NCETR), the Fire Research Laboratory (FRL), and the Howard County Maryland Department of Fire and Rescue Services office of the Fire Marshal. This training includes everything in the 2 hour training with a deeper dive into the forensic findings, fire testing, and fire dynamics.

If your are interested in requesting either CSST training for your department, organization, or conference please us the button below to submit the training request form.

CSST Training Request