Gas shutoff valves in a Broken Arrow outdoor kitchen allow the homeowner to isolate the outdoor kitchen’s gas supply quickly in the event of a detected gas leak, an appliance malfunction, an extended period of non-use (seasonal shutdown or vacation), or when a gas appliance is being serviced or replaced. The National Fuel Gas Code (NFGC) and the Broken Arrow building code require accessible shutoff valves at each gas appliance within the outdoor kitchen, in addition to the home’s main gas shutoff. Understanding the required shutoff valve locations, the types of shutoff valves appropriate for an outdoor kitchen installation, and how to operate the shutoff system in an emergency helps Broken Arrow homeowners use their outdoor kitchen safely and confidently. VistaScapes & Design specifies gas shutoff valve locations in every Broken Arrow outdoor kitchen proposal and coordinates with the licensed plumber on the gas rough-in installation.
Required Shutoff Valve Locations
Required gas shutoff valve locations for Broken Arrow outdoor kitchen gas systems: appliance shutoff valves — the National Fuel Gas Code requires a dedicated manual shutoff valve within 6 feet of each gas appliance (grill, side burner, pizza oven, fire pit, smoker) served by the outdoor kitchen’s gas supply; the appliance shutoff valve allows each appliance to be isolated individually without interrupting the gas supply to other appliances; appliance shutoff valves should be accessible — not buried in a masonry cavity without a corresponding access door — so the homeowner can reach and operate them in an emergency; most built-in outdoor kitchen grill manufacturers also require a dedicated shutoff valve immediately downstream of the gas flex connector at the grill’s inlet fitting, in addition to any upstream shutoff required by code. Upstream (system) shutoff — in addition to the individual appliance shutoffs, the outdoor kitchen’s gas supply system should include a single upstream shutoff valve that isolates the entire outdoor kitchen’s gas supply from the home’s gas line; this upstream shutoff is typically located at the point where the outdoor kitchen’s dedicated gas line branches from the home’s main gas supply (at the home’s exterior wall, inside an access door at the base of the outdoor kitchen, or in an accessible location outside the masonry base); shutting the upstream shutoff valve isolates all outdoor kitchen gas appliances simultaneously — useful during winter seasonal shutdown, extended vacation, or during any situation where the homeowner wants to isolate the outdoor kitchen’s entire gas system. Home main shutoff — the home’s main gas shutoff (typically located at the gas meter on the exterior of the home) isolates the entire home’s gas supply, including the outdoor kitchen’s supply; the homeowner should know the location of the main shutoff and confirm it is accessible and operable before the outdoor kitchen is put into service; in an outdoor kitchen gas emergency (detected gas odor, visible leak, fire), the main shutoff should be operated only if the upstream outdoor kitchen shutoff cannot be reached safely.
Shutoff Valve Types and Winterization
Gas shutoff valve types and winterization procedures for Broken Arrow outdoor kitchen gas systems: ball valves — a quarter-turn ball valve (a valve that opens and closes by rotating the handle 90 degrees) is the standard shutoff valve type for residential gas systems in Broken Arrow; a ball valve’s 90-degree operation makes it immediately apparent whether the valve is open (handle parallel to the pipe, gas flowing) or closed (handle perpendicular to the pipe, gas shut off); ball valves for outdoor gas systems should be rated for natural gas or propane service (not general-purpose water service valves) and should be brass or stainless steel construction for outdoor exposure resistance; a valve with a clearly visible handle orientation is preferable to a valve where the open/closed position is not immediately apparent. Excess flow valves — an excess flow valve (EFV) is a safety device installed in the gas supply line that automatically closes if the gas flow rate exceeds the appliance’s rated flow — which would occur if the downstream gas line is severed or if a fitting fails; excess flow valves are an optional safety addition for outdoor kitchen gas systems and are available from gas equipment suppliers; an EFV does not replace the required manual shutoff valves but provides an automatic backup that can shut off gas flow if a fitting fails when the homeowner is not present. Winterization procedure — at the end of the outdoor cooking season in Broken Arrow, the outdoor kitchen’s gas supply should be shut off at the upstream system shutoff and the individual appliance shutoffs to prevent any gas flow through the outdoor kitchen’s system during the winter months when the appliances are not in use; a licensed plumber or the homeowner can purge any residual gas from the lines at the appliance connections after shutting the upstream valve; VistaScapes & Design provides a winterization checklist to every Broken Arrow outdoor kitchen homeowner at project completion that covers gas shutoff, water supply shutoff and draining, appliance winterization, and cover installation for each installed appliance. VistaScapes & Design specifies all gas shutoff valve locations, valve types, and the upstream system shutoff location in the Broken Arrow outdoor kitchen gas rough-in drawing provided to the licensed plumber for the gas line installation.
Call VistaScapes & Design at (918) 779-1317 for a free outdoor kitchen consultation in Tulsa. We’ll specify the gas shutoff valve locations and winterization procedure for your Broken Arrow outdoor kitchen project.
