Chimney & Fireplaces/"Heatilator"

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/2/2009


Question
Can I pipe a wood stove up through my old rusted out heatilator?  Assume that the chimney is inspected and good condition.  Would I have to cut the top inside of the heatilator for a stove pipe 4-6 ft long?  The heatilator is the old type with metal housing surrounded by masonry.

Answer
Lee,

The National Fire Protection Association, NFPA-211 requires a level II inspection be performed on your system prior to any appliance being installed. Your local authority having jurisdiction will be the one permitting any installation and not knowing who that is, they may not allow it. Always a great idea to check with them first. If I assume that you have had this system inspected, I would have to assume you already know the answers to your questions. If you don't, you have not had the chimney inspected to this required level. Please use the links at the bottom of my home page at www.brooks-hearth.com to find an inspector that offers these levels of inspection. This will give you and your family the piece of mind and identify any other concerns not seen to date.

Good luck and thanks for asking.

Chimney & Fireplaces

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.