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Gas Permits in Edmonton – The Complete Guide

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Sharing our knowledge and expertise on furnaces, plumbing, gas fitting, process piping, and more!

 

Gas Permits in Edmonton – The Complete Guide

Since our inception in 2011, we have installed hundreds of gas lines for a range of appliances, such as BBQs, kitchen stoves, fireplaces, garage heatersdeck heatersfire tables, and clothing dryers.

Given the hazards of gas-powered appliances and devices, we have fielded a lot of questions about the general process and the regulations surrounding gas in Edmonton. The focus of this guide is to answer some of the most common inquiries we’ve received. This can serve as a useful reference point for you as an Edmonton homeowner or business owner.

However, if after reading our guide you still have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by phoning us at (780) 249-1496.

Do I need a gas permit in Edmonton, and if so, in what instance(s)?

gas-line-permit-edmonton

By far the most commonly asked question is whether or not a gas permit is required for a gas line installation.

In all cases and for both homeowners and business owners, the answer is YES. Any alteration to a natural gas system in Edmonton requires a gas permit prior to commencing the work and inspection by the local governing authority. This includes retesting and the simple addition of a gas shut-off at the meter for any gas-powered appliance installation.

What is a gas permit anyway?

Simply put, a gas permit is authorization from the local governing authority ( in our case, the City of Edmonton) for a homeowner or a licensed Plumbing Contractor to install gas lines and gas appliances, such as furnaces, pool heaters and garage heaters.

So why do I need a gas permit?

You might be asking yourself, is a gas permit really that important? Is this just a cash grab by the City and another layer of government bureaucracy?

To answer these questions, it may be easier to first understand why gas permits were first introduced. Historically, permits and inspections were introduced due to improper gas use and installation; leading to preventable explosions and deaths (such as below, albeit thankfully there were no deaths).

gas-line-explosion-essex-england
The devastating effect of an improper gas line installation in Essex, England in February, 2014. 10 people were injured as a result. Miraculously, no one died.

While it is unclear when gas permits were first brought into use, the key point is that it is for the safety and protection of you and your fellow Edmontonians. Take for example what happened when a gas line erupted just west of Edmonton on June 29, 2017:

Although this incident above was not due to an improper installation or lack of a gas permit. It does highlight the dangers of gas and why an inspection and permit are critical.

To summarize, a gas permit is mandatory for two reasons:

  1. It’s for your own safety – the provincial Safety Codes Act is set up to ensure you and the community’s wellbeing.
  2. It’s the law – It is against the law to not obtain a gas permit when required.

Got it. Now how do I get a gas permit?

There are two ways you can acquire a gas permit:

  1. Through a licensed mechanical contractor – such as J.W. Brian Plumbing & Heating. For your convenience and peace of mind we will:
    1. Complete any type of gas line installation
    2. Handle the permit application
    3. Book the appointment with the inspector.
  2. On your own – You must apply in-person at the City of Edmonton’s office. (2nd Floor of the Edmonton Tower, 10111 104 Avenue NW) for $108.00 plus the $4.50 safety fee and taxes. More information on this process can be found at the City’s Residential Gas Permits page.
city-of-edmonton-inspector-gas-permit

After the work is finished and permit/s are submitted an inspector from your city will review the work and will issue you an approval.

Note that if the inspector needs to enter the residence, someone will need be present to allow him in. If the inspection takes place outside of the home, they will simply enter the property with permission.

Need Help With Gas Permits? Contact JW Brian Plumbing and Heating!

We are here to help if you need help with your gas permitting or gas line installation

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Contact us now for reliable and trusted plumbing, heating and gas fitting services 7 days a week! (Subject to availability).

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How Much Does it Cost to Install a Gas Line in Edmonton?

Tips and Advice

Sharing our knowledge and expertise on furnaces, plumbing, gas fitting, process piping, and more!

 

How Much Does it Cost to Install a Gas Line in Edmonton?

how-much-does-it-cost-to-install-a-gas-line-in-edmonton

It’s no secret that so many appliances we depend on everyday rely on natural gas. In Edmonton, some of the most common gas-powered appliances include BBQs, kitchen stoves, fireplaces, garage heaters, deck heaters, fire tables, and clothing dryers.

However, what is a mystery is how much it costs to install a gas line in Edmonton and how this price tag is formed. While it is difficult to lay out a precise pricing formula given the number of contributing factors, in this article we hope to give you – the end consumer – a clearer understanding of what to expect and consider; similar to what we strived for in our guide to furnace repair costs in Edmonton

The average cost to install a gas line in Edmonton

Based on our experience, we have found the cost to install a gas line in a Edmonton residence ranges from about $700.00 – $1,500.00.

For an accurate quote, it is necessary for an on-site inspection. Below are 8 factors that we will consider when determining the scope of the project and final cost.

1. Gas Supply Capacity

Gas fitting, gas line installation

One of the first things we do when we arrive on site to conduct our free estimation is to determine if the existing system has the capacity to install the new gas appliance. It is possible that the meter does not have the capacity, in which case the gas company will be more than glad to install a larger meter free of charge as they will be selling more gas.

2. Length of Gas Line

JW Brian Plumbing & Heating has installed hundreds of gas lines ranging in length from a mere foot to hundreds of feet in a commercial application.

The length of the gas line affects not only the time involved for the installation but the size of pipe necessary to deliver the correct amount of gas to the appliance as the further away you get from the source of gas to the appliance, the larger the pipe needs to be due to friction loss.

Another factor to consider is the fact that a gas line less than 20 feet does not require a pressure test, only what is called a service test, basically checking the joints with soapy water. No bubbles, no troubles! Over 20 feet, there is to be a pressure test witnessed by the city inspector, and a return trip to tie the gas line into the supply, obviously a more time consuming situation. For more information on this subject, be sure to read the City of Edmonton’s detailed overview on Residential Gas Permits.

3. Number of Offsets

A gas line offset is a change in direction of the pipe.
A gas line offset is a change in direction of the pipe.

It is one thing to hang a piece of pipe that is 20 feet long into a couple of hangers in your basement ceiling, now cut that same piece 6 times, thread each piece, add fittings and additional hangers and one can see clearly how that same 20 feet of pipe has now taken you 3 times as long to install.

The number of offsets has a huge bearing on a final quote.

4. Accessibility

In other words, how accessible is the area where the gas line is to be installed? Are we running the gas line through  difficult surroundings, like under a deck, in a crawl space, through an attic,  or is it 50 feet in the air, requiring a man lift?. These are all accessibility factors that go into pricing a gas line installation.

5. Location

jw-brian-location-gas-fitting

Similar to accessibility, location also plays a role in gas line installation and the total cost. What we are taking into consideration here is will the gas line will be located:

  • Through the house
  • Outside of the house
  • Underground
  • Or a combination of the above

6. Size of Pipe

jw-brian-pipe-sizes-gas-fitting

Pipe size is determined by distance and the amount of BTU required. It goes without saying that the larger the pipe, the more expensive it will be.

JW Brian Plumbing & Heating always over sizes for the addition of future gas appliances.

For example, we run a gas line to your deck for a barbecue. We will ensure you can add a deck heater or elegant fire table down the road by installing a larger gas line which really only costs a few extra dollars and saves you having to run a new line in the future.

7. Type of Pipe

There are several types of pipe that can be used to transmit gas, each one impacting the final cost differently. We’ve listed the four main types below that you will find in Edmonton, from most expensive to least expensive:

  1. Gas Tight (most expensive)
  2. Copper
  3. Steel
  4. Plastic (least expensive)

8. Permit and Inspection

gas-line-permit-edmonton

A common question we receive is whether one needs a permit. In all cases, the answer is a simple: yes! Any alteration or addition to a gas system, unless downstream of an appliance shut off, requires a permit and inspection. JW Brian Plumbing and Heating will provide the permit and arranges the inspection on any work we contract.

Read our article Gas Permits in Edmonton – The Complete Guide for more information on gas permits.

Do you have questions or are you interested in a quote?

We Are Here To Help

Contact us now for reliable and trusted plumbing, heating and gas fitting services 7 days a week! (Subject to availability).

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