What action is necessary for steel flex piping installed in a bare ground condition?

For steel flex piping installed in a bare ground condition, cathodic protection is necessary to prevent corrosion. When steel is in direct contact with moist soil, it becomes susceptible to rust and deterioration due to electrochemical reactions. Cathodic protection works by applying a small electrical current to the piping system, which helps to counteract the natural corrosion process by making the steel a cathode instead of an anode. This means that the corrosion reactions are redirected away from the steel piping, extending its life and maintaining its integrity.

In this context, other methods such as painting, insulating, or coating the piping could provide some protection against the elements, but they do not offer the same level of effectiveness against corrosion that cathodic protection does, especially in ground conditions where moisture is a factor. Additionally, coatings and paints can sometimes degrade over time or become damaged, while cathodic protection provides a continuous defense against corrosion, making it the required approach for steel piping in such environments.