The search function works great! I had this question, typed it in, and voila, I found a thread with (nearly) the same question I was going to ask. But, of course, I’ve got to be a nit picker, so here’s my nuance:
Renovating an older home and converting from electric to gas. I have access from below the kitchen. I understand that code says to put the shutoff valve so that it’s in the same room and “accessible”. Easiest way would be to put the valve behind the stove since it won’t interfere with the cabinet install. But who’s going to pull out the stove to shut off the gas if it’s on fire?
A more accessible way would be to put it in the adjacent cabinet, but that’s not really THAT accessible since the cab will be full of pots and pans. It’ll be to Code, though.
So, here’s the other idea, bring the pipe through the floor, behind the stove and put a shutoff valve on it. Code-compliant. But, then, put a more “accessible” valve on the pipe downstairs, easily accessed from the basement.
Does anyone see any problems with that? What types of valves do I choose from?
Replies
Get a 1/4 turn ball valve at your big box.
The last time I upgraded to a gas stove, I decided that the shutoff really belonged in a hidden location above the stove, maybe behind a false panel or tile. It might even be better to have it off to one side for the reason you mentioned. What I did at that time was to leave the valve boxed in within the stud bay so the gas line would fit better when pushing back the stove.
If you have a gas fire on your stove, do you really think it is always a good idea to go running into the basement?
A second valve is still not a bad idea. Whenever I modify gas or water pipes, I install a 1/4 turn ball valve in the relevant branch. This has more than paid for itself.
I would not use regular globe valves for this because they have always become a problem for me eventually - leaking, corrosion, failure to close or open.
If the stove is on fire, it's probably not going to be necessary to use that shut-off. Usually, turning the burner(s) off will take care of it. That valve is more for servicing and replacing the range, not for emergencies. If there's a really bad situation, shutting it off at the meter is better. That way, the whole building or part of the building that has a problem will be safer.
>>...But, then, put a more "accessible" valve on the pipe downstairs, easily accessed from the basement.<<<
No problem from a code standpoint - might be useful at some point and relatively easy to install at the original install phase.
Every gas valve which I have ever seen is a 1/4 turn valve. Be aware that the valve must be approved for use with gas.
Not all 1/4 turn valves are gas approved - check before purchase / installation. Usually on an attached tag which I just leave attached to the valve.
Jim
Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.
Second what Sasquatch said about stove fires. The best remedy for stove fires is to turn off the burner if you can reach it but more importantly to dump some baking soda on it. It's not the gas that is the problem but the grease or whatever else that is on fire. If you look at stoves in restraunts they have a system that just dumps a chemical on the stove. That's it. Keep a can of baking soda next to the stove. If you want something more you could install a small fire extinguisher nearby.