How are Gas Regulator Valves Inspected and Pressure-Tested?
The pressure delivered to a gas-fired heating boiler or furnace is typically 3″ to 3.5″ water column for 100K BTU gas fired furnaces or boilers. (LP gas and piped-in natural gas do not provide the same pressures from the source which is why regulators and orifices must be properly installed and adjusted depending on the type of gas fuel in use (Propane or LP gas from a local gas tank vs. natural or piped-in gas). The large screw on top of the gas regulator shown in the photograph above is a “cap screw” which can be removed by (a trained) heating technician when it is necessary to access the LP or natural gas pressure regulator adjusting screw inside. SAFETY WARNING: If you lack the training and equipment, do not attempt to disassemble or mess with a gas regulator as you could create a very dangerous or even fatal problem. Under the “cap screw” on the gas regulator there a plugged NPT tap (usually 1/8″) used to install a hose barb and manometer (a very low pressure gage) in order to che
