Gas Shut Off valve in Hearth

[Mike Lamb]

Should a gas shut off valve be located in the hearth of a wood burning fireplace? This one had foil over it.

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[Eric B]

Nope

[Mike Lamb]

Thanks. I think I found the NFPA reference.

54 6.7.2.2 Appliance shutoff valves installed in fireplaces shall be removed, and the piping capped gastight, where

the fireplace is used for solid fuel burning.

[Hearthman]

Even if gas logs were installed, this is front of the flame where it would get too hot. Should always enter from the side or rear. This is an old style unapproved shutoff. Should be a ball valve listed to ANSI Z21.15

This pipe can conduct a LOT of heat so I would be concerned how far it goes before contact with combustibles.

[Wasden]

Imagine reaching in there too shut it off when there is a raging fire.

[Hearthman]

Why would you be reaching into a fireplace while its burning to shut off the gas? That is a service shutoff--not an emergency shutoff.

[Wasden]

Wouldn't the fire continue to burn until the gas was shut off?

[Hearthman]

A shutoff in a fireplace is not the primary control. Whether a gas log lighter or gas logs, there must be a separate control for the primary burner. Under normal conditions, the other control and not the shutoff is used to operate the appliance. The shutoff is there for service. Now, let's say there is a major gas leak in a gas logset. The code does not expect you to reach into a combustible vapor cloud to shutoff the gas. The code expects you to evacuate everyone and have the cavalry shut off the building.