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Chimney & Fireplaces/Majestic MBC42 replacing rear refractory panel

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Expert: - 1/27/2008


Question
QUESTION: Any tips other than "be careful not to break the new panel while installing it"?  Brackets are probably 20 years old, should I automatically replace them?  TIA

ANSWER: Chris,

Not necessarily, these brackets traditionally hold up well. Installation of the rear panel will require removing the side panel opposite the gas line if applicable.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I am hearing 2 very defined schools of thought on inserts into pre-fab fireplaces.  The insert manufacturers say they can be installed in a pre-fab as long as the pre-fab is UL Listed.  Others on  your site and some dealers say you should never put an insert into a pre-fab fireplace.  Who is wrong, the manufacturers or the no insert into pre-fabs guys?  Where do you come down on it.  I want to put a jotul F-350 Winterport into a MBC36.  I know the fit is very tight, the question is is it unsafe?

Answer
Chris,


I am without question a " no insert into pre-fab guy," If you contact "Winterport," and they have tested and the listed the "Jotul" F-350 as a combined appliance then you can do it. If only "Jotul" endorses this install, forget it. Check out the following link, www.ul.com/regulators/modification.cfm, It is UL's definition of a field modification of a listed product, you will see it would be impossible to install this "Jotul" unit within the pre-fab, without modification. Additional, UL list inserts for use in NFPA-211 compliant, masonry fireplaces only.

Good luck, and thanks for asking.

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Randy Brooks

Expertise

Inspection of Masonry, Pre-cast Tilt-up, and Factory Built Fireplaces as well as Free Standing & Insert, Gas, and Wood Appliances. We also provide Hearth Fire Loss Investigations, Litigation Support, Consulting Services, Flue Sweeping, Installation and Repair. Additionally, I’ve been a chimney sweep for 23 years, service and install hearth appliances as well as being recognized by the Superior Court of California as an expert witness.

Experience

Brooks Chimney Sweeping Since 1989 Ojai, CA Owner / President www.brooks-hearth.com

Organizations
NCSG, MEMBER,(National Chimney Sweep Guild), Member since 1990, Board of Directors representing Region 6, (CA, NV, AZ, UT, OR, WA, ID, WY, MT, AK and HI,) 2004-2011, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. CSIA, BOD (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Board of Directors, ethics committee chair, 2004-2005, executive committee member, Secretary, 2005-2006, Vice President, 2006-2008, President, 2008-2011. HPBA, MEMBER, (Hearth, Patio, & BBQ Association,) since 2002. NFPA Member, (National Fire Protection Association) Since 2009. Technical Committee member for the 211 Standard.

Education/Credentials
California State Licensed Contractor, C61-D34, #750710. http://www2.cslb.ca.gov C.S.I.A., (Chimney Safety Institute of America,) Certified Chimney Sweep, #2580. Held since 1990 re-certified in ‘93, ‘96, ‘99, ‘02, ‘05, '08,'11. http://www.csia.org F.I.R.E. (Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Certified Inspector, #FP-006. Held since 2000, re-certified in ’03, ‘06. http://www.f-i-r-e-service.com Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service,) Advance Expert Consulting & Witness, certificate, ’05 N.F.I. (National Fireplace Institute,) Certified Gas & Wood-Burning Specialist, #133851. Held since 2002, re-certified in '05,‘08. http://nficertified.org

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