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Chimney & Fireplaces/1 chimney, 2 fireplaces?

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Expert: - 4/9/2005


Question
Dear Bart,

You seem to be the expert on chimneys (as I discovered through my web search), so hope that you can offer a little guidance.

I've purchased a small farm house built in 1830.  The chimney has been re-built since the original construction so, to my eye, it seems solid.  The folks who sold it to us were using a wood burning stove so I know the chimney is functional.

We are currently renovating the entire house and will be putting in a more traditional masonry fireplace on the first floor (the wood burning stove has been removed).

My question is, can we also put a small fireplace on the 2nd floor using the same chimney?  This fireplace would obviously be directly over the one on the first floor so they could share the chimney.  Please let me know if you think this is possible before we even begin to consider it.

Thank you so much for your time.  It is very kind of you to offer your advice to folks like us who just can't seem to find an answer!

Answer
Hi Robert,

Two wood-burning appliances (2 fireplaces or two wood stoves, or two inserts, etc) can NOT share the same flue, it's against every code and standard that I am aware of.

Each appliances is required to have their own flue.

More than one flue can be in a single chimney.

Additionally, even though you've observed the flue as "functional", it may not be suitable for use.  A CSIA Certified Chimnney Sweep should be called to inspect the inside of the chimney to determine its suitability for use, the condition of the flue lining system as well as proper installation and clearances.  A CSIA Certified Chimnney Sweep locator can be found at www.csia.org.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings, but you really need to make sure this system is capable of bearing what your intentions are.

Have a great day and thanks for using AllExperts.com!

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
www.homesafeks.com

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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