Will it pass inspection?

• •
  Gas

  Natural gas suits permanent installs, but it means gas line work: pipe sizing, shutoffs, and pressure all matter, and that work belongs to a licensed installer.

  Ask: is there an existing gas stub with enough capacity? Who runs new lines, and does the work need a permit?

• •
  Electrical

  Electric infrared is clean under covered patios, but high-wattage heaters add up fast on a panel. Circuit capacity and amperage are decided by an electrician, not by the heater brochure.

  Ask: does the panel have capacity for the load? Which circuits, what amperage, and who handles the electrical permit?

• •
  Propane

  Propane means tanks: storage, swap logistics, and setback rules. It fits portable and rental setups well; as a permanent restaurant solution it needs a real storage and refill plan.

  Ask: where do tanks live, how are they secured, and what does the fire marshal require for the quantity stored on site?

• •
  Mounting

  Wall, ceiling, and pole mounts each carry structural and clearance implications. Whatever holds the heater has to actually hold it — weight, wind load, and seismic considerations included.

  Ask: is the structure rated for the mount and the heater's weight? Who verifies that — and who signs off on it?

• •
  Clearances

  Every model publishes minimum distances to combustibles: walls, ceilings, overhangs, umbrellas, plants. These numbers come from the manufacturer — not from us, not from a rule of thumb.

  Ask: what are the published clearances for this exact model, and does the layout honor all of them?

• •
  Ventilation

  Gas heaters combust, and combustion needs air. Enclosed or low-clearance spaces change which models are appropriate — and can rule gas out entirely.

  Ask: is the space open enough for combustion, or does the fuel choice need to change?

• •
  Wind

  Wind steals heat and blows out open flames. Exposed patios need wind-rated models, closer spacing, and sometimes windbreaks — the exposure drives the equipment choice.

  Ask: what's the real exposure — coastal, canyon, rooftop? Is the model rated for it?

• •
  Permits / code

  Permanent gas and electrical work often needs permits; portable propane usually doesn't. Fire code varies by city — and sometimes by inspector. Get the answer from the building department, not from a salesperson.

  Ask: what does your city require for this fuel type and install type? Which department signs off?

• •
  Installation

  Gas lines, electrical runs, and structural mounts go through licensed professionals. We facilitate installation through a licensed installer on request — we don't present ourselves as the installer.

  Ask: who's licensed for the gas, electrical, and structural scope — and who's responsible for the final inspection?

• •
  Fire / safety considerations

  Placement away from exits and egress paths. Stable footing for freestanding units. Combustibles kept clear of the heat zone. Shutoffs everyone on staff can reach. In strict jurisdictions, enclosed-burner models (like SunStar's, rated to 40-mph wind with no open flame) take the open-flame question off the table.

  Ask: can every heater be reached for shutoff? Is anything combustible inside the clearance zone? Are exits and egress paths untouched?

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