Public Safety - Fuel Gas Piping Systems and Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing - Prohibitions and Study

Maryland limits gas tubing in buildings

Beginning June 1, 2025, Maryland restricts certain jacketed corrugated stainless steel gas tubing, called CSST. The sales ban covers nonconductive, non-arc-resistant jacketed CSST that fails standard LC1027 or lacks proof it withstands at least 36 coulombs of electrical arcing. Selling, offering for sale, transferring, or distributing that tubing is prohibited. Separately, nonconductive jacketed CSST is banned in three natural gas or liquefied propane projects: new customer-owned systems in buildings, renovations affecting more than 50% of a property's total square footage, and systems needing a new gas line. This use ban applies only to buildings whose gas piping is not covered by federal pipeline rules, 49 CFR Part 192. Violations of either ban carry a civil penalty of up to $1,000. The Maryland Department of Labor and Office of the State Fire Marshal must also study fire hazards in residential and commercial gas piping. The study covers lightning and arcing risks, installation and grounding problems, testing facilities, existing safety rules, and how common non-arc-resistant CSST is. It must recommend standards and legal changes, assess whether recommendations can be put into practice, and include consultation with fire officials, local inspectors and permitting agencies, manufacturers, and other experts. An interim report is due December 1, 2025, and a final report September 30, 2026, to the Governor and designated legislative committees.