State Regulations For Ventless Gas Logs

Settlers in the old West could use whatever heating source they pleased, but today's rustic decorators need to be aware of and comply with government safety standards. Ventless gas logs in particular fall under many different local and state regulations. Save yourself some future headaches by checking out these tips concerning state regulations for ventless gas logs.

State To State
Nearly all states currently allow the installation of ventless heating systems. But even within these states, local counties and municipalities can and do form local laws pertaining to ventless gas logs and other gas products. A simple way to make sure you're compliant is to check with your local utility or fuel provider before you purchase or install ventless gas logs.

This is particularly a good idea if you live in Alaska, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, Utah, or Wyoming, as the regulations in these areas vary by district. If you live in Montana or California you may have to go the vented gas logs route, at least at this time.

Getting ANSI About Safety
Despite these precautions, there is nothing inherently unsafe about ventless gas logs. Most restrictions on gas logs focus on proper and safe installation by certified professionals. The American National Standards Institute (www.ansi.org), or ANSI, the non-profit organization that administers American standardization and conformity assessment, has strict regulations in place for ventless gas log safety. Any gas logs you purchase should already be compliant with ANSI regulations.

Outside The Home
If you're wishing to install ventless gas logs in a place other than your primary residence, such as a physician's waiting room or office building foyer, check further into local regulations before doing so. Some states permit ventless gas logs in residences but not in commercial properties. And a ventless gas log fire in your SUV might sound like a fun camping idea at 2 a.m., but it's illegal nationwide.