Safety Order: Installation of gas appliances into solid fuel fireplaces

This safety order is issued pursuant to section 31 of the Safety Standards Act. A person affected by this safety order may appeal this order in writing to the Safety Standards Appeal Board within 30 days. The appeal process is set out on the Safety Standards Appeal Board's website at

www.gov.bc.ca/safetystandardsappealboard.

Failure to comply with a safety order is an offence under section 72 of the Safety Standards Act.

Part 1: Details of Regulated Work or Regulated Product

This safety order is being issued in relation to:

Part 2: Requirements(s) of this Safety Order

Certified gas fireplace inserts must be installed into masonry, or solid fuel zero-clearance fireplaces only. A gas fireplace insert installation involving any other enclosure must only be performed if the specific combination of gas fireplace insert and enclosure is certified as a package by a recognized Canadian certification body.

Only replaceable parts attached by mechanical fasteners such as: the damper, glass doors, screens, log grates, or smoke shelves may be removed. A masonry or solid fuel fireplace enclosure or structure must not be changed, altered, or removed to install a gas fireplace insert. If a masonry firebox or solid fuel enclosure requires modification to accommodate the gas fireplace insert, a certified zero-clearance kit specified for the gas fireplace insert must first be installed into the masonry firebox or solid fuel enclosure.

Gas log set and sand pan appliances must only be installed in certified wood or solid fuel burning enclosures. Clearances to combustible material from the opening of a masonry fireplace must comply with BC Building Code requirements.

Part 3: Details of Issue

This safety order is being issued to the following: All owners, installers, and retailers. This safety order addresses the practice of installing gas fireplace inserts into uncertified enclosures, typically an existing wood burning fireplace. Improper installation of a gas fireplace insert into a solid fuel fireplace, or similar enclosure creates a hazard which can lead to an incident.

Part 4: Details of Ordering Safety Manager or Safety Officer

I certify that I am authorized to issue this safety order in accordance with section 15 (d) of the Safety Standards Act or that I have been delegated this power under section 15 (g) of the Safety Standards Act.

Provincial Safety Manager - Gas
Date: July 30, 2026

Refereces

Safety Standards Act