How should I bond my CSST given my gas entry distant from my electrical entry?

Question

I live in VA and used 3/4" CSST to run 5ft from LP Tank up the inside of the wall to the first floor's floor joists, then switch to 3/4" black pipe to run 72 inches to the kitchen where the range is, switch back to 1 ft of 3/4" CSST to bend up through floor plate, which connects to shut-off valve, then 1/2" CSST to connect with the range.

Do I need to bond this, and if so what is the best/easiest way? My propane tank and the new CSST I installed is on the other side of the house opposite the electrric box and outside electric meter.

Some options I have thought of, or were suggested to me:

• do nothing, as CSST is bonded anyway if CSST fittings are tightened all the way
• do nothing, as CSST isn't that long, and VA has no CODE requirement for VA
• install grounding rods next to propane tank and bond to that (do rods need to connect with electrical panel?)
• dig a trench all around the house to lay ground wire to connect with outside bonding clamp
• try to snake wire 6AWG wire through the house somehow to the electrical panel

Answer 1

This is not a full answer, but answers some of your points. From a 2015 International Code Council article on "bonding of corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) piping system "

Why bond? Because potential differences can cause arcing to and then holes in the thin-walled CSST:

The bonding of CSST piping system to the grounding electrode system of the structure in which the CSST is installed will lower the voltage build-up on the CSST caused by unintentional energizing from outside sources such as power surges and lightning strikes. The bonding will help achieve an equi-potential state between the CSST and other similarly bonded metallic systems (such as the water piping, structural steel, electrical raceways and coax cable). The bonding will help reduce the possibility and severity of arcing between these conductive systems when energized by a lightning strike on or nearby the premises.

The point is to equalize potential among the various metal systems, not necessarily to have the CSST match ground potential.

Thus, "A separate grounding electrode and grounding system cannot be established just for the fuel gas piping system" (your headline question)

Clamp/bond requirements:

• "The bonding clamp can be located at any location within the piping system. "
• "The bonding conductor must be not longer than 75 feet "
• "The corrugated stainless steel tubing itself must never be used as a point of attachment of the bonding clamp."
• "The clamp can be attached to a length of rigid pipe, a malleable iron pipe fitting, a prefabricated manifold, or a brass CSST fitting."
• "The bonding clamp must be accessible and can be located outdoors or indoors."
• "Only a single point of attachment is required regardless of the length or complexity of the piping system. "

Now, if your gas line is connected to an appliance that also has an electrical connection, it will likely thus be indirectly connected to the appliance's equipment grounding conductor. Such a connection won't meet the requirements above, but in practice it may suffice to give most or all of the anti-arcing benefit.