Direct Vent fireplace venting
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 5:28 pm
Situation:
I am working with a professional installer of a direct-vent gas fireplace, but have not yet received the installation or owner's manual for the fireplace. He has inspected the site and is awaiting delivery of the fireplace.
I am also working with a professional propane gas distributor who will do the gas hookup once the fireplace is installed.
I have contacted my local and county government building officials and am told that (a) there are no local/county building or zoning permits or inspections required for my township, and (b) I should rely upon the manufacturer's specifications regarding venting requirements.
I have contacted my insurance carrier and am told that there are no inspections required by the insurer, and that they will note for the record the existence of a gas fireplace when the work has been completed.
The gas fireplace is manufactured by Heat&Glo out of Wisconsin, and a phone call to the manufacturer tells me that all installation questions should be directed to the distributor/ professional installer.
The direct-vent fireplace will be installed in a corner of the house. The unit can vent out either of two adjoining walls. On one wall (west) there is a window located 5+ feet away from the spot where the fireplace vent might exit the building. (Perhaps, I should mention that the top portion of that window is stationary/non-opening, and the lower portion is seldom, if ever, opened, although it can be opened). On the other wall (north) there is a door approximately 5' below the spot where the fireplace vent might exit the building.
The professional fireplace distributor/installer indicates that I can choose to have the vent on either of the two walls. The gas distributor indicates that he doesn't care so long as the vent location complies with national code requirements. For aesthetic reasons, I would prefer to have the vent exit on the wall with the window, since the vent would blend and be less noticeable there.
I have searched the Internet in vain and have wound up here. So, my question is:
What are the Code requirements for venting of a direct-vent gas fireplace?
Thank you for your information.
I am working with a professional installer of a direct-vent gas fireplace, but have not yet received the installation or owner's manual for the fireplace. He has inspected the site and is awaiting delivery of the fireplace.
I am also working with a professional propane gas distributor who will do the gas hookup once the fireplace is installed.
I have contacted my local and county government building officials and am told that (a) there are no local/county building or zoning permits or inspections required for my township, and (b) I should rely upon the manufacturer's specifications regarding venting requirements.
I have contacted my insurance carrier and am told that there are no inspections required by the insurer, and that they will note for the record the existence of a gas fireplace when the work has been completed.
The gas fireplace is manufactured by Heat&Glo out of Wisconsin, and a phone call to the manufacturer tells me that all installation questions should be directed to the distributor/ professional installer.
The direct-vent fireplace will be installed in a corner of the house. The unit can vent out either of two adjoining walls. On one wall (west) there is a window located 5+ feet away from the spot where the fireplace vent might exit the building. (Perhaps, I should mention that the top portion of that window is stationary/non-opening, and the lower portion is seldom, if ever, opened, although it can be opened). On the other wall (north) there is a door approximately 5' below the spot where the fireplace vent might exit the building.
The professional fireplace distributor/installer indicates that I can choose to have the vent on either of the two walls. The gas distributor indicates that he doesn't care so long as the vent location complies with national code requirements. For aesthetic reasons, I would prefer to have the vent exit on the wall with the window, since the vent would blend and be less noticeable there.
I have searched the Internet in vain and have wound up here. So, my question is:
What are the Code requirements for venting of a direct-vent gas fireplace?
Thank you for your information.