As required by the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54), Town provides appliance gas pressure regulators with our commercial gas-operated ranges and rice cookers.  This regulator is rated for low pressure inputs only.  Special considerations must be made when connecting our units to high pressure gas systems, and LPG (liquid propane gas) tanks.

• The national fuel gas code (NFPA 54) dictates that the appliance gas pressure regulator must be installed.
• Pressure regulators must be installed in the correct direction.  An arrow embossed on the regulator body indicates the direction of gas flow.
• High pressure natural gas systems typically have pressures of 2-5 PSI while propane gas tanks can have pressures of hundreds of PSI.
• The maximum allowable incoming gas pressure to the appliance gas pressure regulator is 15” water column (W.C.) or ½ PSI.
• A first stage line regulator is required when hooking up Town’s gas operated ranges and rice cookers to high pressure gas systems and LP gas tanks.

Underside of an RM-55 appliance regulator. Embossed arrow points in the direction of gas flow.

High Pressure Gas Systems

If the appliance is being supplied by propane tank or a high pressure natural gas system, a first stage line regulator must be installed upstream of our appliance regulator to reduce the pressure before it goes into our appliance regulator.

The first stage regulator is typically set up to feed an entire kitchen or a specific line of equipment in a kitchen.  It is site and application specific, so it is to be specified, supplied and installed by others.  The qualified person installing the appliance will be able to help you specify, supply and install the correct first stage regulator.  Sizing tools such as those provided by Maxitrol maybe also used to help in specification. 

When choosing the first stage regulator, the following specifications must be met:

1. The maximum pressure rating must meet or exceed the pressure of your gas system.
2. The output pressure must not exceed 15″ W.C., but must be greater than the operational pressure of the range or rice cooker (see product manual or label plate on the unit for the unit’s operational pressure).  It’s recommended for the output pressure of the 1st stage regulator to be set at a couple inches of water column above the operational pressure.
3. The minimum flow rate must exceed the combined BTU rating of any appliances on the gas line (see product manuals or label plates for BTU ratings).

DAMAGE FROM HIGH PRESSURES

High pressures can damage the appliance gas pressure regulator.  If it’s over pressured for more than a second, it’s likely that it will need to be replaced.  Reference the table below to find the item number for a replacement regulator.  Parts such as the regulator may be purchased from your local food service equipment dealer (such as the one you purchased the appliance from) or from online e-retailers such as Parts Town.

If the range has the optional pilot safety system, the pilot safeties (valve with the red button) may also need to be replaced.  Town’s RM and RS series gas rice cookers do not have pilot safety systems.

Pressure Testing

The appliance and its individual shutoff valve must be disconnected from the gas supply piping system during any pressure testing of that system at pressures in excess of 1/2 PSI (3.45 kPa, or 15″ W.C.).