Expert: Bart Ogden - 10/12/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello Bart,
We have a one story home with a brick chimney coming up through the center of the house. There a 2 flues, one for the fireplace on the ground floor and the other for the furnace in the basement. On the top of our chimney both  flues are level with one another and the brick on the chimney cap. Our questions are...Should one flue be higher than the other and should they be higher than the brick on the chimney??

ANSWER: Hi Tammy,

The fireplace has to have it's own flue.  Multiple gas appliances can share a common flue.

I recommend an 8" difference in height between adjacent flues.

NFPA 211 requires a minimum 2" flue tile height above the crown or wash of the chimney.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice 316-265-9828
Fax 316-265-9890
www.HomeSafeKS.com

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep #2653
CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician #10
NFI Certified Wood Specialist
NFI Certified Gas Specialist
NFI Certified Pellet Specialist
NFI Master Hearth Professional
NCSG Technical Advisory Council Member

Advice given is general in nature. Local laws and ordinances may govern and/or supersede the information and recommendations provided. Final determinations are the responsibility of a local professional with first-hand knowledge of the situation, and the AHJ.

Note: Dissemination, distribution or copying of any part of this email or its attachments is prohibited without the expressed permission of the sender.



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

QUESTION: Hello once again Bart,
    I appreciate your time and efforts answering questions!! One more question for you .... I can manage to extend both of our flues one 8 inches higher then the other but, which one should be higher the furnace or the fireplace?? Thanks again

Answer
Hi Tammy,

The main floor flue should be higher than the basement flue.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice 316-265-9828
Fax 316-265-9890
www.HomeSafeKS.com

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep #2653
CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician #10
NFI Certified Wood Specialist
NFI Certified Gas Specialist
NFI Certified Pellet Specialist
NFI Master Hearth Professional
NCSG Technical Advisory Council Member

Advice given is general in nature. Local laws and ordinances may govern and/or supersede the information and recommendations provided. Final determinations are the responsibility of a local professional with first-hand knowledge of the situation, and the AHJ.

Note: Dissemination, distribution or copying of any part of this email or its attachments is prohibited without the expressed permission of the sender.