Gas Log Safety

Every year when the days get shorter and the nights get colder, people's thoughts turn to how to keep their homes warm. Gas logs are an increasingly popular choice, not just for inexpensive heating, but for the timeless appeal of firelight and that cozy feeling that accompanies a fire glowing in the hearth.

Safe and Professional Gas Log Installation
Naturally, most people want to get their gas logs installed and running quickly. However, if you don't have the necessary gas lines installed in your fireplace to connect a gas log, you will most likely have to hire a certified professional to do the job. We recommend that only professionals install all of our gas logs as a safety precaution. Also, this is what the law throughout much of the country requires for gas log installation.

Contact your local fuel provider or building code professional to find out who can legally install gas logs in your area.

The CSA
The Canadian Gas Association, formerly known as the American Gas Association, imposes strict regulations on gas appliances in both the U.S. and Canada. These are the regulations that are placed on manufacturers of gas logs to ensure product safety. This is the body that tests and determines the safety of features such as safety pilots on gas logs, which are required in some areas. The CSA also regulates BTU output, gas log design, and the way gas logs are arranged on the grate. Many states allow only CSA-approved gas logs and gas log burner combinations.

State and local regulations on gas logs and gas log installation vary, and these are what determine the legality of gas logs and gas log installation in your area. Contact your local fuel provider for more information regarding the specific laws, if any, on gas logs in your area.

General Fire Safety
You may have a safely installed gas log glowing in your fireplace, but there are still safety measures and precautions that you should always take to ensure that your home remains safe and warm throughout the year. Heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires during the winter months and trails only cooking equipment in home fires year-round, which is why it needs to be used with respect and caution.

A Few Tips for Safe Gas Log Use

• Follow all gas log sizing guides to make sure your gas log is the right size for your fireplace.
• With vented gas logs, be sure there is safe distance between fireplace walls and house walls.
• Be sure smoke detectors are installed in your home and are working properly.
• Be sure Carbon Monoxide testers are installed in your home and are working properly.
• Keep area in front of your gas log free from debris or any flammable or combustible material.
• Make sure the flue/damper is in the open position when operating vented gas logs.
• Buy gas logs with safety pilots to protect against oxygen depletion and gas buildup.
• Never leave lit gas logs or any open flame unattended.
• Do not let children get too close to a gas log.
• Use a fireplace screen in front of your gas log.
• Never let children operate a gas log.
• Follow all manufacturer instructions while using your gas log.
• Have all gas logs inspected annually by a professional.
• Never add wood or any other material to a gas log fire.
• Be sure gas logs or other gas heating devices are installed with proper attention to ventilation.
• Never install or use ventless gas logs in confined spaces, such as small bedrooms or bathrooms.
• Turn off your gas log immediately if you suspect any problem and call your local fuel provider.