Gas Fireplace

Inside a gas fireplace installation in Astor Farms

Gas fireplace listings and the installation manual

The Florida fuel gas code treats a gas fireplace as a listed appliance. Vented gas fireplaces are listed to ANSI Z21.50 and vented gas fireplace heaters to ANSI Z21.88, and both are installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions (sections 604.1 and 605.1). Both are also equipped with a flame safeguard that shuts off the burner gas if ignition fails.

In practice, the manual for your model is the rulebook for the job. Our installers read it before the framing is planned and follow it through venting, clearances, gas connection and finish. The rating plate on your Astor Farms fireplace tells you which listing it carries.

Where the gas shutoff valve goes for a new fireplace

Each appliance gets its own shutoff valve. The fuel gas code places it in the same room, within 6 feet of the appliance and upstream of its connector (409.5.1). A valve inside the firebox follows the maker's instructions, and a vented decorative appliance may have its valve in a remote spot if it is easy to reach, permanently labeled and serves nothing else (409.5.2).

We plan the valve location with you and the gas contractor, so anyone in your Astor Farms home can find it and turn it off.

Power for gas fireplace fans, remotes and ignition

Many gas fireplaces need power for ignition, a fan, a remote or a wall switch. One B-vent manual requires the unit to be electrically grounded under local codes or the National Electrical Code, and asks for remote control and wall switch wiring to be done before the final finish.

A new outlet or circuit is electrician work, and we name it on the plan. Our crew coordinates the wiring with the electrician so it is in place before the wall around your Astor Farms fireplace is closed.

The safety barrier over a gas fireplace's hot glass

The glass on a gas fireplace gets hot enough to burn. One direct-vent manual carries a warning that hot glass will cause burns and says a barrier designed to reduce that risk is supplied with the fireplace and shall be installed. Another manual says not to operate the fireplace with the barrier removed.

Our installers fit the barrier that comes with your model before the first light and show you how it comes off for glass cleaning. It stays on whenever the fireplace in your Astor Farms home is in use.