Yes you should have shut-off valves at every appliance. With fireplaces the code changes from place to place a lot concerning location. Shut-offs can be installed inside the fireplace in some areas, and must be installed outside the fireplace in others. Giving your description I guess you will have shutoffs installed inside the fireplaces later on.

Please don't use ventless products.

Here is a link that might be useful: Bad, bad ventless

Xanndra,
I have read SOME cons on ventless fireplaces. I live in the southeast...very mild winters and the ventless will run maybe 10 hours a week or less. They are mostly for looks. Thanks for the concern though.

JCA1,
Thanks, I talked to the builder and we will have a cutoff valve.

I have a shut off valve at the main gas manifold in the basement for the lines that run to the ventfree fireplaces, along with a valve at each fireplace. I would make sure they put at least one valve somewhere in the line.

We have a vent-free in our basement also. No problems whatsoever, and I am pretty sensitive to smells/odors. We have a plug-in CO detector; and it has never gone off.

Our winters are average (we live in mid-atlantic region) - but since the fireplace is in the basement, we only run it when we're down there. As you say, it looks nice and it provides quite a bit of heat quickly. We got it on clearance last year when Lowes was selling out for the season - about $550 for the fireplace, mantle, remote control, and blower! Not a bad deal at all, considering the local hearth store wanted $1,000 minimum for a vent-free.

Ventless heaters are not recommended at altitudes above 4500". You may not smell anything, but your thinking may get foggy due to the lack of oxygen plus what ever else. Got rid of mine as others have who tried them out.