Gas fireplaces are very safe. They are also energy efficient, a good source of heat, clean, and an excellent solution for those already piped for natural gas. Nevertheless, there are some safety recommendations that should be observed for those with a gas fireplace. In today’s blog article, we are going to talk about how to make gas fireplaces as safe as possible.
Be Aware of the Heat
When we say “be aware” we mean that a gas fireplace gets hot! That includes the glass in front of the fireplace. Most direct vent gas fireplaces now come with an extra safety screen for in front of the glass. If your fireplace does not have a safety screen, consider putting one there anyway. You would not want anyone to touch the front glass. Not only does it get extremely hot when the fireplace is operating, but it stays hot for a long time after.
Extra Glass?
Some fireplaces are designed with an extra sheet of glass in the front, or a total of two. There is a layer of air between them, and this helps to create insulation, making the outer glass cooler than the inner glass. You may want to consider a fireplace like this.
Combustibles
So, even though the gas fireplace burns behind glass, it is still hot. That means you should not have anything combustible close to or touching the fireplace like fabric or matches or even carpeting. Allow about three feet of clearance to be safe.
Carbon Monoxide
Gas fireplaces give off a little carbon monoxide. If the fireplace is malfunctioning, it could give off a lot. Be sure to have a carbon monoxide detector in the house, and there should be one on each floor. Check and test the carbon monoxide detector regularly. Carbon monoxide will diffuse evenly throughout a room, so it can be installed at any level.
Whatever you choose, we can help you with appliance installation on the Lower Mainland. Just give us a call at (604) 233-9216.
Han Appliances are trusted appliance installation experts on the Lower Mainland, who work closely with many of the appliance dealers. If you need some appliances installed in the Vancouver area or you have any questions about this article, please call us at (604) 233-9216.
