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Chimney & Fireplaces/use of existing metal fireplace flue to insert class A 6"

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Expert: - 3/28/2008


Question
Greetings Mr. Brooks:
I have a 2-story, '96 house with interior chase and flue attached to a Marco
gas log zc box. I'd like to rip out the gas box, open up the fireplace alcove to
the ceiling, properly install an EPA phase II wood-burner, run stove pipe to
ceiling junction, and here's the Q: can I use the existing metal flue (looks
same as my neighbors' wood fireplace flues) to enclose a class A sectional or
flexible flue liner? I can't imagine a physical or thermal problem, and that
would save me the considerable mess and expense of ripping the interior of
my house up..
Thanks for your help, Walt

Answer
Walt,

Due to the difference in UL listings your existing system has versus the the high temperature requirement of the desired product, removal of everything will be required. You are already tearing up the inside of your house as you have described, go ahead and finish the job with parts listed for the new appliance. And for the record, there are concerns of physical and thermal issues. Good luck.

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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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