Fireplaces, Heating Stoves, Flues and Chimneys - How does this work? fireplace Q?

I haven't used the fireplace in my house, and I have a question as to it's type and use. Looks just like a regular fireplace with a basket and some logs (real). Under the basket there is black gas pipe with some slits. In the floor about 2 feet away is a hole in the floor where the gas can be turned on with a special wrench. There is no ingitor device. Would this be used with "fake" logs and have the gas on all the time? Or would I just use the gas to get the "real" logs started? Thank you in advance for any and all assistance.

Sounds like a gas starter pipe. See link for picture: http://www.northlineexpress.com/detail~PRODUCT_ID~5CO-47115-7.asp

Gas must be turned on and fire manually lighted before placing logs on fire. A good place to start is with a chimney cleaning and inspection as well as an inspection of the pipe.

Thank you very kindly for the response.