Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Gas Permit to Run a Gas Line in Calgary?
Yes, all gas line installations and gas appliance installations in Calgary require a gas permit. Exceptions exist for straight replacements of furnaces, water heaters, or gas fireplaces due to natural disasters. Homeowners cannot obtain a gas permit; only a master gasfitter with 6-7 years of experience can do so. We handle the permit application and inspection process for you, ensuring compliance and safety.
An inspector will visit the site after the job is completed to verify the installation. This inspection confirms that the permit was obtained. Typically, inspections in Calgary occur the following business day. Rules and inspection authorities vary for out-of-town jobs.
Our basic charge usually includes the permit cost. Without a permit and inspection, homeowners insurance may not cover any issues, and selling your home could be problematic. Home inspectors will check for permitted and inspected gas installations. Finding a contractor to obtain a permit for someone else’s work is challenging, which could jeopardize your home sale. We only take responsibility for our own installations and permits.
Do I Only Need a Gas Permit if the Gas Line is More Than 20 Feet Long?
No, in Calgary, all gas lines require a permit, regardless of length. The confusion may stem from the requirement for an air test on gas lines over 20 feet, which involves an additional inspection step. However, inspectors examine all gas lines, even those as short as 2 feet, to ensure proper installation.
Incorrect installations can occur with any length of gas line, as evidenced by past inspections revealing multiple infractions on short lines. If you have questions about gas permits and inspections, you can call 311 in Calgary to speak with a senior gas inspector, or contact your local planning department if you are out of town.
Protech Plumbing has a strong reputation with City inspectors, who review our work thoroughly. We handle over 700 gas permits annually, ensuring compliance and safety for all installations.
Does a Gas Fireplace or Heater Need a Permit in Calgary?
Yes, all gas appliances, including fireplaces and heaters, require a permit in Calgary and surrounding areas. Inspections ensure proper installation before the drywall stage to prevent issues like carbon monoxide poisoning and fire hazards.
Important requirements include:
- Installation of a carbon monoxide detector within 5 meters of any bedroom.
- Proper venting, clearance to combustibles, and protection of gas lines.
- A readily accessible shut-off valve.
- Correctly sized gas lines to handle the gas load.
- All gas appliances must be rated for high altitude and have proper CSA, ULC, and CGA approvals. Inspectors check for proper sealing, vent clearances, and overall workmanship to ensure safety and compliance, protecting you from insurance issues and ensuring smooth home sales.
Protech Plumbing carries $5,000,000 liability insurance for your protection, although we’ve never had a claim in our 31 years of busines
Should I Hire an Unlicensed Friend to Install My Gas Fireplace and Gas Line to Save Money?
It’s risky to hire an unlicensed person for gas installations. Consider these points:
- Permit and Inspection: Ensure they obtain a gas permit and inspection.
- Insurance Coverage: Your house insurance may not cover accidents caused by unlicensed work, such as explosions or carbon monoxide leaks.
- Liability: If they get injured or damage your home, do they have workers’ compensation and liability insurance?
- Experience: Installing gas fireplaces requires specific expertise. Unqualified installers might lack the necessary experience and training.
We only send qualified professionals with extensive training and experience. Trusting experts ensures safety and compliance, avoiding serious consequences from improper installations. We’ve successfully installed over 1,000 gas fireplaces, ensuring quality and safety.
How Deep Should My Underground Gas Line to My Garage Be?
Your gas line should be buried 18-24 inches deep. You can run an electrical conduit in the same trench. The gas line must be air tested and inspected before backfilling.
Is a Propane BBQ Hotter Than a Natural Gas BBQ?
No, a 50,000 BTU propane BBQ and a 50,000 BTU natural gas BBQ produce the same amount of heat. While propane gas is hotter, natural gas BBQs have larger orifices to match the heat output of their propane counterparts.
Can I Hook My Propane BBQ Up to Natural Gas with a Hose and Quick Connect?
No, you cannot. Propane BBQs have smaller burner orifices, resulting in a very small flame if connected to natural gas. The orifices need to be replaced or drilled out to the proper size, and sometimes the entire manifold must be changed. It’s usually better to buy a natural gas BBQ.
Also, ensure your BBQ quick connect is horizontal or facing down to prevent water accumulation and potential leaks. If it’s facing up, it indicates an improper installation.
What Are the Advantages of a Natural Gas BBQ Over a Propane BBQ?
- Cost: Natural gas is much cheaper than refilling propane bottles.
- Safety: Natural gas is lighter than air, so leaks rise and dissipate, while propane can pool and pose explosion risks.
- Convenience: No need to disconnect and reconnect bottles, reducing the chance of leaks.
- Reliability: No trips to refill propane and no running out of fuel during cooking.
How Safe is Natural Gas?
Natural gas is a safe and reliable heat source when installed, tested, and inspected properly. Most serious problems arise from unauthorized individuals tampering with gas lines.
Ensure any disconnected gas lines are properly shut off and capped. Accidents can occur when movers disconnect gas appliances without properly closing valves or capping lines. Hiring a licensed gas fitter ensures safety during installations and maintenance.
What Should I Do If I Smell Gas or Have a Gas Leak?
If you detect the distinct odor of natural gas (mercaptan), evacuate the area immediately and avoid using electrical switches or phones, as sparks could ignite the gas. While most leaks aren’t explosive, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
Contact ATCO’s emergency number at 1-800-511-3447 or a plumber/gasfitter to assess and address the leak promptly. While a faint smell during appliance startup may be normal, persistent odor warrants investigation.
Will Adding a Gas Fireplace Increase Our Gas Bill?
Adding a gas fireplace may increase your gas bill slightly if you’re heating an area not previously heated. However, gas fireplaces are typically about 80% efficient and use low BTUs, so they consume very little gas.
In many homes, gas fireplaces can actually reduce gas bills. For example, if you frequently heat a family room with your furnace, the heat often spreads throughout the house, making upstairs rooms too warm. By using the fireplace to heat just the family room, you can lower your gas bill. Additionally, unless you have a highly efficient furnace, your fireplace may be more efficient, making fireplace heating cheaper than furnace heating.
Is a Normal Chimney or Direct Vent Better for a Gas Appliance?
Generally, it’s better to opt for a direct vent appliance. Direct vent units are sealed, eliminating the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from chimney downdrafts.
Moreover, direct vents draw combustion air from outside, saving on heating costs since you’re not using preheated indoor air. Many high-efficiency furnaces are improperly installed without running the combustion air pipe outside, reducing their efficiency.
Installers must now comply with gas code requirements, including running combustion air piping outside, enforced by inspectors.
Can I Run a Gas Line in My Drywalled Basement Ceiling?
Yes, there are usually ways to run a gas line even in drywalled ceilings. With our many years of experience, we’ve developed techniques and tools to fish lines through tight spots.
Inspectors have even marveled at our ability to navigate challenging installations. Additionally, we can run gas lines on the outside of your house along the foundation, ensuring neat and inconspicuous installation.
Is It Difficult to Replace My Electric Range with a Gas Range?
No, it’s straightforward. We’ll run a gas line to your range and install an anti-tip bracket for safety. This prevents tipping accidents, especially if a child tries climbing up while the oven door is down.
Check clearance to cabinets—30″ above the range hood or microwave and 18″ to the sides for upper cabinets. If needed, custom metal protection plates can be made for insufficient clearance. You can find a diagram of proper clearances under the Gas Range Information tab on our website.
