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Chimney & Fireplaces/Open existing wood burning fireplace with glass back

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Expert: - 3/12/2009


Question
We are renovating.  The back of our existing fireplace is now in our new kitchen addition.  Is it possible to open the back of the fireplace with glass?  Can it still be wood burning or would it be better to switch to gas?

Answer
Fay,

For a number of reasons, opening the rear wall of your masonry fireplace is a bad idea. The chimney collectively weighs better than a ton, (2,000 lbs.) maybe two or more, The rear wall supports a great deal of that weight. If you cut through the rear wall, that weight must shift and be supported by another part of the structure and could cause cracks and stress to the structure.

The flue or hole in the chimney is sized according to the size of the fireplace opening. If you open the additional side, glass doors or not, you will have problems.

Pressure flow in the home is a big one. The new exhaust fan you will no doubt install will move air in the kitchen and makeup air will move in from the fireplace and chimney.

I would recommend not breaching the chimney. I hope this helps. Good luck with the new kitchen.

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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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