Gas Fireplace
Gas fireplace installation in Forest City, part by part
Vertical gas fireplace vents through the roof
When a gas fireplace vents up instead of out, the pipe passes through the roof and ends in a listed cap. The fuel gas code has vents extend through the roof flashing, roof jack or roof thimble and terminate with a listed cap (503.6.7), and the minimum cap height above the roof grows as the roof gets steeper (Figure 503.6.5).
Our crew follows the maker's roof table for your model, installs the flashing and storm collar the vent system supplies and seals the roof penetration. The roof work on your Forest City home is listed on its own line of the estimate.
Building a chase for a gas fireplace on an outside wall
When a gas fireplace sits outside the main wall line, it lives in a chase, a boxed enclosure built for it. One maker's manual says the chase should be built like the home's other outside walls, insulated, with vapor and air barriers as the local code requires, and with ceiling firestops sealed with high-temperature caulk.
A poorly sealed chase lets outside air and moisture reach the unit. Our crew builds the chase for your Forest City installation to the manual and the building code, with the roofing and siding work listed separately.
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 Forest City home can find it and turn it off.
Keeping a new gas fireplace dry
Gas fireplace controls do not tolerate water. One maker's manual says to keep the appliance dry because water may damage its controls, and a B-vent manual says not to use a fireplace if any part has been under water, and to call a qualified service person instead.
During installation the unit stays covered until the vent is sealed and the chase or wall is closed. If your Forest City home ever takes on water near the fireplace, leave the unit off and call us before relighting it.
