Gas fireplace logs are decorative gas devices designed to resemble wooden logs. This device should be used wood burning fireplaces only. Gas logs burn at a lower temperature than a wood fire and do not have the ability to draw the draft needed to get the products of combustion out and up the flue in a wood burning stove or stove insert. Once the gas fireplace logs are installed burning wood in the fireplace cannot take place until removing the logs. Another thing to consider is that qualified gas installers with the appropriate experience and tools should install the gas logs.
The homeowner or certified installer must obtain a permit for the installation according to the building codes of the area. After acquiring the necessary permit, the installation can begin. Before installing the gas fireplace logs, the chimney must be inspected and cleaned if the fireplace has been used. Then line the chimney if it is unlined and located on an exterior wall. Next, permanently open the damper if the fireplace has one.
Install a gas line if there is no existing one. Pipe used for this line will be standard weight galvanized or black iron pipe for above ground installation or approved polyethylene pipe with anodeless risers at either end for exterior buried application. Non-metallic couplings will be used for riser to pipe connections. Buried pipe must be at least 18” deep and have #18 tracer wire ending at the risers on each end. Above ground pipe must be installed 6” above the earth or slabs. The pipe must be supported every 6’ to 8’ depending on the size of the pipe. The gas line used must have an approved gas valve, operable from the room where the fireplace is located. Place the gas valve outside the firebox and four feet from the fireplace.
A pressure test must be performed on the completed installation of the gas line coming out of the propane tank or gas meter and capping the other end of the gas line, then filling the line with 15-PSI air pressure to test for leaks. The air pressure gauge will drop if a leak there is a leak in the line. Make sure the logs are not connected to the gas line when the pressure test is taking place or the safety pilot on the logs will be damaged. After the pressure test is in place, the city inspector inspects the completed the gas log installation and the pressure test. The final connection to the gas supply is completed when the inspector signs off on the project.
Installation of gas logs in bedrooms requires combustion air to be supplied, either from an outside source or from open interior spaces. In a bedroom installation, a through wall transfer grill, measuring one square inch per 1000 BTU/h of load must be located within 12” of the ceiling.
After carefully following the entire manufacturer’s instructions, install glass doors on the fireplace and remember to open a window in the house when the gas logs are burning.
