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Chimney & Fireplaces/brick front getting hot

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Expert: - 12/15/2009


Question

area over opening
The house was built in 1978 and has a brick fire place, and originally had a insert. The brick over the door gets very hot after a fire has been burning for a while. Is there anything I can do to keep it from getting so hot, like install a heat shield onto the metal angle that goes across to help divert heat. I checked fireplace construction plans and it seems to be made correctly (the face over the lintel is one layer thick and three or four high)

Answer
Mike,

I would recommend an NFPA-211 level II inspection be performed to check code requirements for clearances and thicknesses amongst other things. the glass doors can likewise contribute to heating the upper veneer as the door frame gets hot itself and transfer the heat to the bricks. Another thing to consider is that the upper veneer will get quite warm as a rule and possibly there nothing to worry about. All good reasons for the level II inspection. Feel free to use the links at the bottom of my home page at www.brooks-hearth.com to find an inspector. Best of luck and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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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