When we bought our house three years ago, the NG pool heater would not function. This turned out to be due to a failure in the gas line to the pool equipment. Despite being wrapped, that 15 year old black iron pipe had failed due to considerable rusting. We ended up having to run 125' of 1 1/2 inch PE from the meter at the house to the pool heater. It cost about $1000 for the ditch and another $1500 in supplies and labor for the line. The plumbers use a special "plate welder" to make butt joints between the sections of PE. The pipe is buried at a minimum of 18" deep and a location wire is strung along the pipe. The PE pipe enters and exits the ditch via special risers. These risers have a PE connection and are made of galvanized steel that has been coated with very thick paint. The risers prevent any physical damage to the line as it exits the ground. Once the line is set up, it is necessary to do a pressure test to make certain that the line is not leaking (15 psi for 30 minutes in my city). All of this is required by code here in most cities in California. Black or galvanized iron is no longer acceptable for underground burial. It's fine for runs inside of the structure, so long as it is not in contact with moisture.
According to suppliers of natural gas piping, HDPE is impervious to biological decay. It is obviously not as resistant to physical damage as new iron pipe. But, iron rusts rather rapidly and the prospect of having a gas leak is not trivial.
http://www.ehow.com/list_7478717_pe-gas ... tages.html
Just go with the PE and make sure it is adequately buried to a minimum 18" level, has a trace wire added (and taped above ground to the riser(s)), and uses the proper steel risers. Also, make sure the guys pressure test it and do so with your local building inspector present. This is one building project that should be done with a building permit so you can be certain it is done properly.
According to suppliers of natural gas piping, HDPE is impervious to biological decay. It is obviously not as resistant to physical damage as new iron pipe. But, iron rusts rather rapidly and the prospect of having a gas leak is not trivial.
http://www.ehow.com/list_7478717_pe-gas ... tages.html
Just go with the PE and make sure it is adequately buried to a minimum 18" level, has a trace wire added (and taped above ground to the riser(s)), and uses the proper steel risers. Also, make sure the guys pressure test it and do so with your local building inspector present. This is one building project that should be done with a building permit so you can be certain it is done properly.