Glass Fronts Industry Facts

Important Deadline

• Revisions to the ANSI Z21.50/CSA 2.22 (for Vented Gas Decorative Fireplaces), ANSI Z21.88/CSA 2.33 (for Vented Gas Fireplace Heaters), ANSI Z21.97/CSA 2.41 (Outdoor Decorative Gas Appliances), and ANSI Z21.11.2 (for Gas-Fired Unvented Room Heaters) standards took effect January 1, 2015.
• After January 1, 2015, any affected glass-fronted gas fireplace or glass-fronted gas heater with glass surface temperatures that exceeded 172 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) during testing must have a barrier.
• Only compliant units may be manufactured after Jan. 1, 2015.
• Affected units that were manufactured without a barrier before January 1, 2015 can still be sold after standard goes into effect. There is no cutoff for such sales.

The Fine-Print

• Decorative elements are allowed.
• The standard applies only to gas fireplaces and glass-fronted gas heaters. It does not apply to solid-fuel burning appliances, such as wood-burning fireplaces and woodstoves.
• Only products tested to the ANSI Z21.50/CSA 2.22 (for Vented Gas Decorative Fireplaces), ANSI Z21.88/CSA 2.33 (for Vented Gas Fireplace Heaters), ANSI Z21.97/CSA 2.41 (Outdoor Decorative Gas Appliances), and ANSI Z21.11.2 (for Gas-Fired Unvented Room Heaters) standards are affected products subject to glass barrier safety standards.

Installer Requirements

• For all affected products manufactured after January 1, 2015, manufacturers must supply a barrier on all glass-fronted gas products with glass surface temperatures that exceed 172 °F.
• Barrier must be in place when the product is installed.
• Installer must call the client’s attention to the barrier and explain why it is required. Barriers are intended to protect children and other at-risk individuals.
• If you do not follow the new requirements, you may be the one in jeopardy.

Be an Expert in Your Community

• Create a safety zone/safety awareness center in your showroom. This is an opportunity to encourage sales of aftermarket barriers in existing appliances.
• Include tips on proper maintenance and safety for all relevant appliances and products.
• Provide the HPBA glass fronts safety flyer to customers who purchase a gas appliance and talk to them about the issue. You can make this a positive message.
• Talk to your local media and your local building department about fireplace safety.
• HPBA appeared on a U.S. morning show on January 2, 2015 discussing this issue as part of a media campaign. Show customers this video, which can be found on HPBA’s Safe Fireplace Tips consumer-focused page. 
• Other safety information is available on the internet and through safety authorities including Too Hot for Tots which talks about many products that can cause burns and offers burn prevention strategies. Visit www.burnfund.org or www.bcchildrens.ca/safestart.