So I'm getting my furnace replaced soon so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone. Since I'm getting permits pulled to have the furnace gas line work done, so I figure I'd get a line run to my garage. My garage is about 20' from the back of my house. The meter is conveniently at the back of the house too. I don't have the bucks to install a n.g. heater in the garage yet but I'd just like to have the capped line in my garage for future use.
So I figured I'd have the line trenched in time for the gas line fellow just to lay the line in. Cheaper for me to do it than a journeymen! Don't worry, Alberta First Call has been out already.
So - I've looked (not very hard, albeit) for the Alberta code depth for the line. How deep does the line have to be in my back yard?? Then - do I try to dig this by hand or can I rent a trencher from a Rona/HD type store?
I just helped lay a gas line from the meter to a garage trench was dug by hand ensure when you lay the line that you run the trace wire with it for locating later. I am assuming that your runny poly pipe with the proper risers etc etc. Make sure you have the proper radius for the tie in also and a shut off is recommended.
You should be able to rent a trencher from a rental store like The Cat Rental Store or one of the other ones.
I THINK secondary lines are to be 12'' and primary are to 24''...... call Atco when you are done your trench and they will get you a service ( ask for a sleeved service ) with risers at each end once you provide a measurement that is...
The required depth is 18" from finished grade to the top of the service line. Depending on the material your installer chooses to use he may be sleeving it as well, such as if CSST is used (CSST is the yellow plastic jacketed stainless steel tubing you'll notice a lot of these days; most commonly used in fireplace installations). Suitable sleeving could be corlon or abs pipe.
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"The trouble with people idiot-proofing things, is the resulting evolution of the idiot." Me
If you have the room for a ditch witch and have to go a fair distance make sure you go rent one and save your back the trouble! Plus its a power tool so it enhances the fun factor of digging a hole
When I built my house out in the boonies, I was talking to a gas company about putting in a line. I told them I had the equipment to dig the trench myself. They would just need to put the line under the road from the service line. They told me no. They had to do it all or nothing and it would be up to 2 months before they are able to do the job. After 3 months, of waiting I put in propane.
The required depth is 18" from finished grade to the top of the service line. Depending on the material your installer chooses to use he may be sleeving it as well, such as if CSST is used (CSST is the yellow plastic jacketed stainless steel tubing you'll notice a lot of these days; most commonly used in fireplace installations). Suitable sleeving could be corlon or abs pipe.
X2
While at it you can put the electrical line in the same trench but it needs to be, I believe it's 3 ft down with sand and a preasure treated board over it, then the gas line on top of it at the 18" mark or lower.
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Caber has described the correct and best way to do this so I really can't add anything Caber is a licenced gas fitter and so am I. while your at it maybe add an outlet for a natural gas bbq since you have a great chance to do it while the line is being worked on
Your installer should know all of this anyways and since your just digging a trench just tell him what you want.
__________________ I may not be the brightest crayon in the box at times but I sure am colourful
Trenching a Natural Gas line
Kim
Caber is a licenced gas fitter and so am I. while your at it maybe add an outlet for a natural gas bbq since you have a great chance to do it while the line is being worked on 
I may not be the brightest crayon in the box at times but I sure am colourful 
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