Hmm... this got me thinking so I hope someone that answers can also address access to drip leg. Since drip leg has a cap that in theory would be used to empty it of drippings over time, does it have to be accessible - Code section on this please - thx.

 

I never thought of needing to empty a drip leg? Never crossed my mind. I think the purpose is to provide a place for condensation/impurities to gather but honestly, never thought about draining or emptying. Good question.

 

I have never seen a drip leg inside a wall.

 

I can't remember if the gas line for my gas dryer had a drip leg on it when I opened up the wall to move the stub out up a bit for new dryer vent placement.

 

Sediment trap should be installed at lowest point near the appliance and in your case accessible outside the fireplace.

You will also need a gas shut-off, easily reached for common usage, on the outside of the fireplace build.

 

Sediment trap should be installed at lowest point near the appliance and in your case accessible outside the fireplace.

You will also need a gas shut-off, easily reached for common usage, on the outside of the fireplace build.

makes sense that it be accessible until I went through the pictures of our house being built 5 years ago. I took thousands of pictures throughout the different phases of construction to reference in the future.

There is a gas shutoff built- in behind the front panel of the FP.

I have a gas fireplace on the main floor directly above where the basement fireplace will be installed. Referencing the picture archive, the main floor fireplace does not have a drip leg. The gas line for the main level FP comes up through the floor from the basement???

I will call the building inspector on Monday and post the result of what he says.

Thanks, Thom


Main level FP gas run coming up from basement from archive. Bottom picture is from today.

Edit: maybe it has something to do with directionality of flow? The basement FP install guide does not address the need for a drip leg. My furnace and water heater in the basement both have a drip leg. The flow of gas goes from main level downward to those two appliances. Conversely, the main level FP gas flow goes upwards. Like I said, I’ll call the inspector and report back. Thanks again.

 

My local code requires drip legs at appliances except ranges and fireplaces due to space limitations.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

Including for a gas dryer ? If so, does it then have to be accessible ?

 

Where you located, Eplumber? Could be that I will need to remove the drip leg that I have installed since it will be inaccessible once the FP in fully wrapped.

 

I don't recall Sedalia having a bldg dept... Douglas County?
Interesting thing about Colorado... many jurisdictions have their own additional addenda to code. Some have fewer restrictions; some more.

All appliances do not require sediment traps. But.. unaware of any local that does not require an easy access off/on valve for gas FPs..

jus' thoughts for your verification...
Please do, let us know

 

I would think a drip leg and shutoff valve would just be a common sense item to have. Access to each would be common sense also. Regardless if code requires it or not. Now exact location of each I would understand some questions for code requirement. Would think your local plumbers or code inspector would be able to answer the requirements for your city, area. Or ask whats required at the nearest LARGE city to you as a last resort. Larger the city the more code there normally is.

 

HD- the yellow circled text includes gas dryers so I think you’re good with no sediment trap?

 

Agree, but not if local code requires them, which because TheEplumber did not include them in his post (below) it would seem that in his case they are requires, hence, my question to him about it.

 

I think accessible basically means not buried inside of a wall or ceiling where no one will ever know it's there or be able to access it without wrecking the house. I suppose if you had no other choice than to put it inside of a wall you could put some type of access cover over it that an inspector might be OK with.

Where I live, in Minnesota, they made their own code book (called Minnesota Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code) which mostly follows the national codes, but with small addendums here and there. One of these addendums which happened a couple of years ago is that they removed the exemption for sediment traps on stoves and fireplaces and dryers, so our inspectors are looking for them now.

Also, I can't find it in the code book, but inspectors around me would want a shutoff valve before the sediment trap (and the cap needs to be removable).

 

Agree. Reading this forum, you recently did a fireplace and the gas dryer. Did either of those two require inspections from building dept for currency or are you just looking down the road for compliance for resale or etc.? Either way, I think you’re good to do without the drips on the fireplace and dryer. Best wishes to you.

 

No permit/inspections on FP or dryer required for simple short pipe movement BUT permit and inspection for new WH (in attic), including the adding of new CO2 detectors near back bedrooms and near master bedroom. I do have the gas company out with their super sniffer for all my gas work.