A piping dead leg is defined as what?

• A. A pipe connected to ground; concern is a leak.
• B. A pipe used for drainage; concern is clogging.
• C. A pipe that carries gas only; concern is fire.
• D. A pipe with no contents; concern is moisture buildup.

Answer: (A)

A piping dead leg is a segment of pipe that is still part of the system but not in active service, often associated with sections that sit in or near the ground. The key concern with this kind of pipe is the potential for a leak. Since the line isn’t regularly in use, fluids can stagnate, joints and seals can degrade, and any rupture or weakness can go unnoticed until a leak develops into the surrounding soil or environment. So the best fit is the description of a pipe connected to ground with the primary safety concern being a leak. The other ideas describe different pipe conditions (drainage, gas-only lines, or an empty line) and don’t align with the typical risk profile of a dead leg.