Consumer here. Maryland. Just failed inspection after installation of new gas stove (replacing old gas stove). Inspector said the hole in the drywall behind the stove made by previous homeowner to access gas line connection and shut off valve needs to be closed up “to prevent critters from coming through the wall” Can’t fit a gas oxbox without significant labor $$. Obviously can’t patch the wall and cover access to the connection point and valve. Can the SS connector from my house’s gas piping to the back of the stove pass through a removable cover plate? If so, under what circumstances and materials? I have fashioned two side-by-side stainless steel plates with a hole cut out at the seam for the connector to pass through. The plates attach to the wall using magnets (flat cabinet latches I repurposed) so completely removable. Waiting on rubber grommets to line the hole and protect the line. If this won’t fly, can you refer me to code? How else can I box in the already connected pipe/valve/hose without disturbing the connection?
Is there an exterior wall involved here? From your pictures it doesn’t appear so, but maybe I’m not seeing it.
Nope. Completely interior wall. Inspector said “I’m not saying I recommend it but I’ve seen people cover it with silver tape” I have both duct and aluminum tape but I wasn’t impressed with that option. The licensed installers didn’t say a word to me about needing to close up the hole and now would charge me to come back out and likely move that whole thing outside the wall possibly causing my stove to stick out to clear it. I’ve been trying to find state code that would cover this in Maryland without luck. I’ve sent pic and video of my fix to the plumbers who did the install since the permit is in their name and awaiting their reply. They are supposed to be consulting with the inspector who failed me. I’d like to be as educated as possible about what my options are.
So, the inspector wants you to prevent rodents from moving from one interior room into another interior room, and chewing on the gas line along the way?
If this is the whole/opening they want you to cover that would conceal the shut-off valve. That’s no good. I don’t think your inspection failed, the inspector just gave you his opinion. Which sounds a little wacky.
I’m not sure what he wants except maybe kudos from his boss for being especially diligent. I have cats who would reign swift punishment upon any rodents coming through that hole into my kitchen
“Appliance Connector” (yellow flexible pipe) is not allowed to pass through a wall, cabinet, or any coverplates. Only rigid solid pipe may pass through. (Note: CSST is usually allowed, and may be allowed through masonry or metal if sleeved). Also, the shut-off must be in the same room as the appliance served, not behind a coverplate as shown in the pics.
Looks like the inspector didn’t properly convey the correct information.
Thank you. That’s what I’m trying to figure out. The hole has been there all 11 years I’ve lived here and, given the crud behind the old stove, hadn’t seen the light of day for at least another 5 before that. No problems all this time. I have quite impressed myself with my solution - lol - and will be disappointed if this doesn’t pass. Anything that says I can’t conceal the shut off valve, even behind a removable plate?
You can’t conceal any shut off valves. But honestly, I would tell the inspector there is no risk of rodent intrusion from this setup. Ask them to explain why this is a rodent issue.
What does this mean? Who is the inspector? What are the repercussions for failing an inspection?
Thanks. Damn it! I thought I was being clever. If his statement is true that people use silver tape to cover that type of set up in order to pass inspection, then he definitely doesn’t know what he’s talking about. That would certainly also conceal the valve. I’m assuming from your explanation that an oxbox would work. Could I box it in with drywall leaving the front open? I’m not sure what materials can be used around a gas line or that close to the back of my stove. That’s where I was looking for building code to guide me. I appreciate everyone here. Sounds like I should leave it open and ask for a different inspector.
State of Maryland/Montgomery County requires licensed plumber to install/connect gas appliances and subsequent inspection within 10 days by WSSC (our water company. Don’t even get me started about why it’s them and not the gas company). Lowe’s has a contract with a large company to do all their installs. That company pulls permit from WSSC. Failed inspection may slip through the cracks. Apparently it’s not well monitored BUT it could affect my appliance warranty or any homeowner’s insurance claim of damage due to improper connection or leak. Definitely want to cover my ass in that regard
Yes, and your best option IMO. That should not be a problem as long as the appliance connector does not pass through any wall, cabinet, or plate and the shutoff is open for visible and quick/easy access.
And I’ll add, put out some traps for the rodents the inspector was concerned about, lol.
IMO… it’s the inspector himself that’s the RAT!!
Haha! I have two - each with four legs, a tail and a mean set of claws.
Be sure to put a couple of these on the floor behind the stove when the inspector returns for the reinspection after you do what Jeff suggested.
Get a machine outlet box without the valve, notch the end of it where the source plumbing is coming in and slip the box in. You could probably get one of those washing machine ones with the 2inch opening, and maybe fit the valve and flex pipe through.
When you are done use foam or tape to fill in the gaps. You’ll probably have to fix some drywall bits too.
As ghetto as his “hint” about the whole tape thing is, it may be interpreted to meet the requirements because he(if he is the building inspector aka authority having jurisdication) gets to make that determination locally.
The “silver tape” covers up the hole in the wall(which can potentially meet the rodentproofing provision). Tape is not a wall, cabinet, or plate material. It is also not a permanent part of the house(which can potentially meet conealment of gas fitting/shut off provision). The gas connection and shut off valve are also accessible cause you can just easily pull the tape apart. No need for any tools, climb over anything, no need for ladders, etc(which can potentially meet the accessible provision).
Your original metal cover plate “solution” could potentially fail the protection from physical damage provision due to the sharp edges of the cut hole. Also, could fail the accessible provision.
Your installation could still fail due to the excessive bend radius/diameter on that gas connector pipe, which means the gas connector pipe has to be replaced. Read the requirements on the white manufacturer’s tag on the gas connector in your pictures. Here are some examples
Usually, code enforcement can’t tell you HOW to repair something to meet code(legal reasons obviously), and they can only look at what’s present and if it meets the “letter” of the code. You should be thanking the guy for trying to look out for you in hard times instead of bashing him. He was clearly trying to help you out while doing what he had to do by law as code enforcement. That’s the whole point of the off hand remark by the inspector. He didn’t tell you or recommend how to fix it…just what he saw some other people did…which may have conveniently passed inspection or he wouldn’t have told you that. Or you could do it by the book and pay a licensed plumber to install a proper box and replace the gas connector while you’re at it.