Propane fireplace

[Bruce Thompson]

I would like to send a picture, but for some reason it will not upload??

I inspected a home with a ventless fireplace. It was fed by a small propane bottle (5 gal grocery store variety) located on the outside of the house. The bottle had its regulator and the rubber hose was threaded on to the black iron pipe going through the brick to the fireplace. Everything looked OK and I know if they were being served by a large tank, I would not be writing you.

I definitely don't like the flexible rubber hose and will write a comment about that. I'm scouring the IRC for any other red flags.

I think I know many of the opinions on vent-free (or flueless) . I own one and haven't turned cherry-red... yet.

As always, thanks in advance.

Bruce (aka "flueless" or "clueless" whichever you prefer)

[Emmanuel J. Scanlan]

Bruce,

IRC Chapter 24, Fuel Gas, Definitions:

PIPING. Where used in this code, “piping” refers to either pipe or tubing, or both.
Pipe. A rigid conduit of iron, steel, copper, brass or plastic.
Tubing. Semirigid conduit of copper, aluminum, plastic or steel.

PIPING SYSTEM. All fuel piping, valves, and fittings from the outlet of the point of delivery to the outlets of the equipment shutoff valves.

The tubing used is for portable appliances and not approved for attachment to permanent appliances.

G2406.3 (303.6) Outdoor locations.
Equipment installed in outdoor locations shall be either listed for outdoor installation or provided with protection from outdoor environmental factors that influence the operability, durability and safety of the equipment.

Those gas lines are not meant to withstand the elements for long periods of time. The elements include attacks by rodents, weather, insects, etc. They are acceptable for portable appliances such as grills, etc.

G2408.1 (305.1) General.
Equipment and appliances shall be installed as required by the terms of their approval, in accordance with the conditions of listing, the manufacturer’s instructions and this code. Manufacturers’ installation instructions shall be available on the job site at the time of inspection. Where a code provision is less restrictive than the conditions of the listing of the equipment or appliance or the manufacturer’s installation instructions, the conditions of the listing and the manufacturer’s installation instructions shall apply.

Translated it means that if the code is more restrictive it applies over the manufacturers installation instructions.

G2414.1 (403.1) General.
Materials used for piping systems shall comply with the requirements of this chapter or shall be approved.

G2414.3 (403.3) Other materials.
Material not covered by the standards specifications listed herein shall be investigated and tested to determine that it is safe and suitable for the proposed service, and, in addition, shall be recommended for that service by the manufacturer and shall be approved by the code official.

G2420.5 (409.5) Equipment shutoff valve.
Each appliance shall be provided with a shutoff valve separate from the appliance. The shutoff valve shall be located in the same room as the appliance, not further than 6 feet (1829 mm) from the appliance, and shall be installed upstream from the union, connector or quick disconnect device it serves. Such shutoff valves shall be provided with access.

Don't forget the proper location for the shutoff valve.

Part of this will also depend on what the manufacturer calls for. I have not seen any systems that the manufacturer called for that such arrangement.

[Bruce Thompson]

I wrote up the whole thing for basically the same reasons. I sent another suggestion in the email as well.

thanks for the input.

Bruce