Gas pipe through firebox

[Richard Roshak]

Majestic fireplace has been upgraded to gas logs. Contractor installed copper gas pipe through base of unit instead of through side knockouts. Has this installation rendered this unit defective?

[Eric Barker]

Yes it is.

[Scott Patterson]

Whoever installed the gas line damaged the protective metal liner and basically changed the design of the unit from what had been tested and approved by the manufacturer. I would direct them to a fireplace expert or qualified chimney sweep for additional information.

[Bob Harper]

The fireplace has a conduit on each side for a gas pipe penetration. This should be sealed at the inner metal firebox wall by packing around the gas pipe to the metal sidewall them again sealing around the pipe with refractory cement at the refractory panel. By making holes in the floor of the fireplace, heat could migrate into the lower compartment and out into the chase where it could cause an offset ignition or leak fumes into the home.

That logset is way too big for that firebox. You should have 4-6 inches of free space to each side. The logset must be listed to ANSI Z21.60 or Z21.84 . Where is the shutoff and where is the control valve? Any more pics? Damper blocked wide open? Appears to have been operated with doors closed.

[Richard Roshak]

Bob,
The damper block was present, however it was at the edge of the damper. This is where it is 99.5% of the time. I cannot find any documentation stating where it should be. Do you have anything?