Gas tubing in homes vulnerable to lightning strikes, fire marshals warn

Cheyenne, WY – The National Association of State Fire Marshals is encouraging homeowners to ensure a type of gas tubing is properly bonded to reduce hazards associated with lightning strikes.

A new public awareness campaign from NASFM focuses on yellow corrugated stainless steel tubing, which is used to supply natural gas to appliances such as water heaters. If the tubing is improperly bonded, electricity from a lightning strike can cause a tear, resulting in a gas leak that could ignite, warns the organization.

Requirements for bonding have changed in recent years, and NASFM said homeowners should have a licensed electrical contractor inspect the tubing to make sure it is properly bonded.