Security for Gas Fireplaces
Even while using a gas fireplace is obviously more convenient than using a wood-burning fireplace, there are still some fundamental safety considerations that every homeowner should follow in order to safeguard their family and their house.
Check the Barrier at the Safety Screen.
In most cases, gas fireplaces come equipped with a strong glass panel that acts as a barrier between the firebox and the rest of the room. While installing this panel can make your fireplace more efficient and safer, you should be aware that the glass may reach quite high temperatures. The majority of direct vent fireplaces manufactured after 2015 are equipped with a safety mesh screen. This is done to reduce the risk of individuals accidentally burning themselves. We strongly suggest that you inspect your safety screen to ensure that it is correctly attached to your device. This is being done for your own protection.
Clearance Zones Should Not Be Forgotten About.
To put it another way, a clearing zone is a region that surrounds your gas fireplace and denotes the perimeter of the area in which it is dangerous to install objects that are readily damaged or combustible. When we build gas fireplaces for our customers, we always make sure to warn them not to place combustible materials or other items directly against the glass safety barrier or within a close proximity to the firebox. This includes things like paper products, furniture, and window coverings. The brand and type of your unit will determine the specific dimensions of the clearance zone around your fireplace.
Vent-Free Fireplaces
Vent-free fireplaces, as its name suggests, do not release exhaust gases to the atmosphere outside the home. There has been a lot of raised eyebrows over vent-free fireplace types owing to the fact that they do not exhaust the combustion byproducts; yet, due to the stringent manufacturing restrictions, these fireplaces have been shown to be safe.
Because of the way it is constructed, it is not advised that you utilize this vent-free fireplace style for more than a few hours at a time at a time. If you look in the manual that came with your vent-free fireplace, you’ll also see that the manufacturer recommends using it for only a few hours at a time. This is the kind of fireplace that doesn’t require a chimney.
Safety Considerations for Gas Fireplaces
Do not allow your gas fireplace, of any form, to remain lit throughout the night as a general guideline for safe operation of gas fireplaces. This applies to fireplaces of all styles. Unattended gas fireplaces can result in hazardous situations, and in the worst cases, death.
If you leave a gas fireplace on for an excessive amount of time, you run the risk of two very dangerous outcomes: a home fire and a gas leak. In the event that a gas fireplace develops a leak, the resulting poisonous gases and combustion byproducts are not healthy for either people or animals.
If your house does not have the appropriate detectors, you might be at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal if left untreated. This not only highlights the need of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, but it should also serve as a caution that gas fireplaces should be constantly monitored.
Accidental fires are another possibility if you use a gas fireplace that is not properly vented or sealed for an extended period of time without monitoring its progress. When a fireplace is not properly maintained and the fire is not monitored, chimney fires are a typical occurrence.
It is safe to allow gas fireplaces that have been completely vented and have glass fronts that have been safely and securely sealed to burn continuously without interruption. And what is the conclusion? Even if your gas fireplace is completely sealed and has a vent that allows fumes to be released into the outside air, it is still best to err on the side of caution and limit the amount of time it is allowed to run at a time to between two and three hours. Always check with the company that made your gas fireplace when you’re not sure about something.
All these reminders are best practiced when you are also assured of having a reliable company at your side. Contact Local Chimney Sweep Cleaning today for Chimney Cleaning Lotus and repairing.