Are Boshart general purpose pressure gauges suitable for use in Natural Gas (NG) or Liquid Propane (LP) applications?

Unfortunately, Boshart cannot provide clear direction as to whether or not Boshart general purpose pressure gauges are suitable for use in Natural Gas (NG) or Liquid Propane (LP) applications. Due to lack of information from various associations on this question our current answer to the question must be NO! to err on the side of caution.

Since national and local plumbing, building and gas codes vary from one territory to the next and from one district to the next, Boshart cannot provide a firm answer.

WARNING: It is the sole responsibility of the system designer, installer, end user and AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) to ensure that the product and material used in a gas installation are in full compliance with all the applicable national and local plumbing, building and gas codes.

Unless formal confirmation is received from the local gas utility or gas inspector / AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) over the project that the gauges do meet all the applicable codes, they should not be used!

Conflicting Information:

One on hand, we have been advised that standard “general purpose” pressure gauges are not suitable for use in combustible gas (Natural Gas or Propane) distribution systems and that a "Use No Oil” type gauge is required in Natural Gas and Propane applications. Based on this, our current stand must be that our gauges cannot be used for these combustible gas applications. Boshart has reached out to Canadian and US Gas Associations to get clarification on the required industry standards and certification requirements for Natural Gas and Propane gauges. However, to date we have been unable to get a response, much less an answer. Boshart will reach out once again to see if we can get the information required.

On the other hand, we are not convinced! Boshart does question this “USE NO OIL” requirement as searches on the “internet” appear to indicate that standard “general purpose” pressure gauges are being sold for use in gas applications by some distributors. As we know you cannot believe, or trust, everything on the internet! Therefore, whether general purpose pressure gauges meet the gas code requirements or not is up for debate.

Boshart must err on the side of caution given the safety concerns with combustible gas components. We had understood that Use No Oil gauges are required for Oxygen and Nitrogen applications where oil cannot be present; it is uncertain if the same applies to combustible gas distribution. This is questioned because black malleable fittings are used every day in gas application, and we expect traces of cutting oils could be present, nor do malleable iron fittings have specific third-party gas certifications as are required with gas ball valves and / or flexible gas connectors.

CAUTION: Do not be confused by the fact that general purpose gauges are commonly used on gas test manifolds. Boshart sell gas test gauges (PN. PG-GTMC-15 and PG-GT100 shown below) which are used to check gas piping systems for leaks, however this is “AIR” pressure testing, and the test gauges are removed before NG or PROPANE is introduced into the piping, so the gauge is never in use when gas is present.

Ongoing Investigation

In the meantime, Boshart will continue to work on this question. We would appreciate any assistance that you may be able to offer after contacting your local gas authority, licensed gas fitter and / or gas inspector who would be responsible to approve the product for installation. If you would provide their contact information we would reach out to them, to see what they have to say on the topic. Maybe we will find that we could change our answer to this question. We do not want to lose pressure gauge business simply because we do not have the proper information on the requirements.