Chimney & Fireplaces/Zero clearance

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Expert: - 3/4/2008


Question
QUESTION: I have a 1,500 sq foot all electric home. I'm looking into either a wood burning insert or freestanding stove to supplement my heat. My zero clearance fire box is at least 20 years old (installed by previous owners). I've had one sweep tell me boxes that old were not rated to withstand the heat put out by inserts or wood stove and the listing would be voided. My fireplace shop disagrees and says as long as the stove or insert is rated for zero clearance, everything should be fine, regardless of the firebox age.
Does age matter? Are the newer zero clearance boxes rated for stoves and inserts or should I invest in an all new masonary box and chimney?

ANSWER: Art,

Regardless of the age of firebox you cannot install an insert into a factory built fireplace unless that insert has been tested and listed for use with that specific fireplace. Even though the manufacture of the insert will give a blanket approval for this installation the manufacture of the fireplace will not. The testing for wood inserts by UL 1482 is specifically for a masonry fireplace not factory built. Go for the free standing wood stove.

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

QUESTION: I've given up on inserts and have been looking at stoves. Still can't find
anything small enough to fit in front of my 22 inch high fireplace yet that's
big enough to heat the area. Can't I remove the zc fireplace, enlarge the box
enough to accommodate the size stove I want, have the sizes and back
bricked in like an alcove and then tie into the existing double wall insulated
liner?

Answer
Art,

You cannot tie into the existing chimney system. This chimney is listed to UL 127, 1700 degrees, for the former factory built fireplace, the new wood stove will require type HT venting for high temperature, UL 1777, 2100 degrees.

You can remove and replace your existing system with a high efficiency system that operates like a wood stove within the wall.

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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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