Chimney & Fireplaces/isokern fireboxes

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Expert: - 12/22/2009


Question
I had an Isokern Fireplace installed in my home in 2005, in Charleston, SC. It is a double-sided fireplace and was built for vented gas logs. Until last week we had never used it, however we turned the logs on during a cold snap and our home quickly filled up with gas fumes. The fireplace does not have a coned smoke dome, instead it has a flat top and a 8" diameter flue pipe which runs through the roof, which is how the manufacturer recommended it to be installed. Are you aware of any revisions Isokern has made to their installation manuals? Or if this installation is correct? Are there any others having this same issue?

Answer
Kem,

I often times find inconsistencies with the termination. Frankly there can be several issues that will result in what you have described. I recommend using the links at the bottom of my home page at www.brooks-hearth.com and finding an inspector to perform an NFPA-211 level II inspection of you system this will flush out any issue and get you accurate information to solve your serious problem. I hope this helps and Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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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

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