Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing

 
Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) is a thin-walled metallic tubing product that has been used as alternative gas piping material to steel pipe.  CSST must be installed and used only in accordance with applicable codes and manufacturers’ instructions, including those that pertain to bonding and grounding of the piping system. In addition, in order to help protect structures from potential lightning strikes, the installer of CSST and/or owner/operator of the structure where the CSST is being used should consider installing an appropriate lightning protection system pursuant to NFPA 780 or other recognized standard.

CSST first became available for use in California during the early 1990’s.  It is unlikely that CSST has been used in your structure (residential, commercial or industrial) if it was built before then, and its gas piping system has not since been changed or replaced.  SDG&E does not provide inspection service for CSST installations.  If you are unsure as to whether CSST was installed in your structure, please contact your builder, contractor or qualified plumber for more information or for an evaluation.

Plaintiffs in a recent class action lawsuit in Arkansas against four manufacturers of CSST alleged that CSST posed an unreasonable risk of fire due to lightning strikes.  The defendant manufacturers denied the allegations and asserted that their CSST was safe if properly installed in accordance with local codes and the manufacturers’ instructions.   The plaintiffs and defendants subsequently entered into a settlement.  A settlement is a compromise of disputed claims and does not mean the settling defendants are liable.  The settlement provides for payment vouchers for settlement class members who qualify for relief.  The vouchers help defray the costs of buying and installing a lightning protection system or the bonding and grounding of certain systems in a structure.

Settlement Class Members who wish to make a claim must submit a Claim Form by September 5, 2007. Please visit www.csstsettlement.com* for further information regarding the lawsuit and the settlement.

SDG&E was not involved in this lawsuit and is providing this information as a service to its customers.  Do not call SDG&E as it is unable to assist customers with questions about the lawsuit or settlement.  Customers can write to:

CSST Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 4349
Portland, OR 97208-4349

or call the Toll-Free Settlement Information Line at 1-800-420-2916 for additional information.