One reason I don't use appliance connectors.

[jimmyed]

Too lazy to do it right....... Grrr...





Several things wrong here. Flex connector, furnace in crawl, they don't go in the crawl. Won't get into the duct system.

[hvacvegas]

scary scary scary scary.

Did I mention thats scary?

[jimmyed]

scary scary scary scary.

Did I mention thats scary?

I had to climb over the brick that the homeowner $hit in the crawl space...

[thermojohn]

So what happened there? It chafed, and ignited somehow? Or was it a lightning arc that popped a pinhole in the flex connector, and ignited it simultaniously?

Illegal to use that type of connector and pass through, into another space.

[hvac wiz 79]

Wow. Some folks are lucky to be alive right about now.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

[OldSchoolMech]

That is so sad
How do you sleep at night knowing you did that

[thermojohn]

That is so sad
How do you sleep at night knowing you did that

I don't take it from the OP that he did that.

[meplumber]

I don't take it from the OP that he did that.

I think he was referring to the hack that did it originally.

[jimmyed]

I am not sure how it ignited. He had been smelling gas for about a week. Intake pipe was laying on the ground so I would assume it pulled gas in there and lit it.

[philjafo]

How do you smell gas for a week and not do something about it? I guess its no worse then the call I found a cracked hx on, the renter asked if that was what had been setting off her carbon monoxide alarm, she then said it was real annoying so she took the batteries out.

[jimmyed]

You would have to know the guy. I swear it could have leaked for 6 months before he did anything... His girlfriend is the one that finally said something.

[pacnw]

the issue is not the flex, but its improper installation!!

a flex is fine when instructions, common sense and codes are followed and the only way to connect a stove, clothes dryer or other moveable appliance. they are also code in some municipalities for earthquake safety.

[hearthman]

The OP did not provide adequate information on this but from the pics, it would appear the installer ran gas piping through the return panning, which is not allowed by code, nor is installing a shutoff in a confined space, much less an air duct and certainly flexible appliance connectors are not tested or listed for use in confined unventilated spaces passing unprotected through sheetmetal. Hard to tell from the pics but if the flex was damaged down by the gas combination valve, it could be sucked up into the return where, once ignited down by the valve, could explain the burn pattern.

I agree with Pacnw: instead of vilifying the product, condemn the improper installation and mis-application of the product. Used properly, they have an excellent track record.