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Question
I recently purchased a house built in the 1840s. It has one chimney servicing
two fireplaces (one on the 1st floor and one on the 2nd floor). The chimney has
4 flues. I have 3rd fireplace with it own chimney. That chimney has two flues.
As best I can tell smoke only comes out of one flue for each fireplace. Why then
are there two flues per fireplace?
Thom,
Chances are that at one point, the chimney also vented free standing wood-stoves in rooms adjacent to the chimney structure. In 1840, this would have been the only heat source for the home. In reality, there also could have been fireplaces that were taken out as well. Given the age of the home and improbability of knowing weather or not former breaches to the chimney have been properly filled, I would recommend an NFPA-211, level II inspection be performed and a report given on the chimney structures overall condition, flue liners, weather proofing etc. Please use the links at the bottom of my home page at www.brooks-hearth.com and find a qualified inspector in your area. Good luck.
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Answers by Expert:
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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