Protech Plumbing and Gasfitting Inc. Calgary

403-243-4229
Home      Gas Range Information


 
Gas Ranges and Cook Tops

There are a few important things to know regarding gas ranges and cook tops.

All gas ranges must have an anti tip safety device installed to pass inspection.
 
The purpose of this is if a child or anyone was to open the oven door and climb up on to the door
there is a chance of a boiling pot coming down and causing very serious or fatal consequences.
 
This anti tip device prevents the range from tipping and is supplied with a new range.
 
If you are buying a used range or one off the showroom floor make sure that this bracket is included.
 
Our basic installation charge for a range includes the installation of the anti tip bracket. Inspector will fail
installation if not installed.
  
Whenever you are now installing any new gas appliance in your home you must have a carbon monoxide
detector installed within 5 meters of any bedroom or sleeping area. Usually one is enough in the main hallway
but if you have bedrooms on another floor a second CO detector will have to be installed.
 
These detectors must either be hard wired or battery operated. If they are plug in style they must have battery back up
in case it is accidentally knocked out of the plug..
 
A battery operated CO detector can be purchased at Home Depot, Rona, etc. for about $40.00.
 
Installation wil not pass inspection if not installed. We can supply if needed.
 
 
Range Clearances to Cupboards
 
 
You need 30" above the range to the bottom of the cabinet. 
 
This is measuring to the bottom of the cabinets or the top of the range hood.
 
If there is a microwave/hood fan combination you would go by the hood fan clearances as stated in the
manufacturers manual that comes with the hood fan.
 
The 30 inch clearance above is not generally a problem but where we often have a problem are the upper cabinets
to the left and the right above the range.
 
From the counter top to the bottom of the upper cabinets to the right and left
are required to have 18 inches clearance.

If you only have 17 inches clearance the inspector is not going to pass the installation.

In this situation if the cabinets cannot be altered or raised there still is one other option.
Metal protection brackets can be custom made.
 
These have to have a 1 inch air clearance from the cabinet on the bottom and the sides to a distance of at least 18 inches up on the
side and 3 inches over from the edge of the range or cook top on the bottom of the cabinet.
 
Sometimes it is better to bring the metal up to the bottom of the range hood just for appearances sake.  

These can be made of stainless steel or satin coat metal painted.        

If you have any questions regarding these confusing regulations please contact us at 403-243-4229 e-mail at info@protechplumbing.ca 
 
Any answers to your questions are free and there is no obligation.

  
If you have anyone installing a range or gas line to your range this is a must that the contractor is fully insured and the
installation has a permit and is inspected.
 
We carry $2,000,000 liability insurance on all our jobs.
 
We have never had to make a single claim in our 28 years in business but we do have the protection in place for your benefit.
 
 
 
Range Hood Fans 
 
Generally we don't get involved in range hoods but here is some information that may be helpful to you
if you are buying and installing a hood fan.
 
There are some appliance salesman, kitchen contractors, and some box store associates that do not know these City of Calgary regulations.
 

Residential Kitchen Exhaust

A kitchen exhaust fan rated for up to and including 300 cfm (cubic feet per minute) may be installed in a house that is
served by a forced air heating system without any extra consideration for make-up air.
 
This is based on Section 9.32 of the 1997 Alberta Building Code that permits a deficit of 160 cfm
and the typical fresh air duct sized for forced air systems.
 
If the exhaust fan is rated for over 160 cfm, then the fan must be interlocked with a make-up air source,
such as a  forced air furnace with a fresh air duct from the outdoors to the return air duct.
 
When the rated capacity exceeds 300 cfm, the make-up air supply must be designed to bring in enough
air and may require pre-heating to maintain mixed air temperatures in the return air system.
 
Please note that the proposed changes to Section 9.32 for the nextAlberta Building Code
includes disallowing this defict as modern construction practices lean towards an airtight
building envelopefor houses.

This will require a make-up air system equal to the amount of kitchen exhaust

Basically if your exhaust fan is over 160 cfm, every time it is turned on it must be relayed to turn your furnace fan on at the same time.
There is a fresh air from the outside tied into your cold air return on your furnace, if it was installed properly.
The circulating fan will then suck fresh air into the home from outside every time the kitchen exhaust fan is operating.
 
The fan interlock  can be done by an electrician at not too great of a cost.
 
 
If your exhaust fan has more than 300 cfm then a new combustion fresh air will have to be brought in to your home.
In most cases this fresh air has to be heated as it could bring too much cold air into the home.
 
This of course will be much more expensive so it is something to be aware of when deciding on a kitchen exhaust fan.
 
If the above precautions are not taken it is possible that the kitchen exhaust could make your furnace and fireplace
chimneys reverse flow due to negative pressure in your home.
 
This could possibly bring deadly carbon monoxide into your home.
 
A home handyman may be able to install a hood fan but some of them are not qualified to understand the rules and consequences.
 
This is an instance when it should be installed by a fully qualified HVAC tradesperson or a licensed journeyman gasfitter.
 
Protech Gasfitting normally doesn't install range hoods ourselves but just felt it is important to get this information out there.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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