I'm removing a gas fireplace as its an eyesore and we never use it. I've turned off the gas from a stop valve outside.
Can anyone tell me if I need a certified gas fitter to cap the gas line or can I do it myself? (I'm in Ontario.) I'll be capping the line on the outside wall of the chimney next to the stop valve. The line is copper after the stop valve through the chimney to the insert.
By the way, should I run the pilot to use up the gas in the line before disconnecting or can I just disconnect with good ventilation?
If you're the owner of a detached house in Ontario you can service and install a gas appliance without certification, as per Ontario Regulation 215/01 Section 55(1) (http://www.hvactechgroup.com/article.php/20071111132902251).
In your case you want to remove the appliance so I assume if O.Reg 215/01 allows you to install it then removing it would not be a problem, but to be accurate O.Reg 215/01 doesn't say service, install and remove a gas appliance.
If you disconnect and cap the gas line outdoors just make sure you're not near a source of ignition and purging outdoors is not a problem, otherwise using the pilot to purge the gas is a good idea.
Thank you very much. It is such a simple job (famous last words?) it isn't worth calling out a tech.
What confused me is "..in a detached dwelling..". Does capping at the valve on the outside wall count as being "in"? I could use a brass plug at the appliance end inside the fireplace but I don't like the idea of someone accidentally turning on the gas valve and if the plug did leak it would be inside the house inside a fireplace.
Having done hundreds of fireplace installs and quite a few removals, don't worry about existing gas in that dinky little line since it's small diameter and a short length. The gas is under such ridiculously low pressure, the moment you turn off that valve, your pilot will go out right away. Since this fireplace is an eyesore, I'm assuming it's an old piece of crap with copper that's not even type G. So you're best bet is to disconnect the line from the valve, yank the copper out completely and bring it to the recyclers, and properly cap the other end.
You can get a female cap to go over the either 1/2" or 3/8" brass flare fitting to block it off; Which would be the easiest way without requiring pipe dope.
The other way is un-threading the brass fitting completely and threading in a short 1/2" piece of black iron pipe with a cap on the end, which will require pipe dope for the threads and a pipe wrench.
You will need a 50/50 soap/water solution to check it for bubbles so you have no leaks, with the valve on. Then shut the valve off for extra precaution.
Keep in mind that the fireplace may not be properly approved anymore for wood burning again, should you think of doing that with the fireplace out of it. Depending on if the installer had to smash out the damper, or do any other modifications to the firebox, or chimney.
Fantastic - thank you very much for such detailed instructions. I lit the pilot, shut off the valve and the pilot was out before I got back inside.
I was out getting the cap so missed your post and of course bought a 1/2" black iron cap. Fortunately I had a spare 1/2" brass cap. Job done now - no bubbles with gas valve on. We won't be using the fireplace - I think it would be simple to go back to wood burning but I would have it checked out first if we ever think of doing that.
Great site - thank you again for helping me out.