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Expert: - 3/6/2009


Question

free standing fireplac
We purchased our home from the adult children of the previous owners.  They had little information for us in regards to the free standing fireplace unit that their parents installed sometime between 1958 and 1960.  (They think the fireplace was American made.) We are attempting to figure out who manufactured the unit, but there are no stamps or markings of any kind on the fireplace that we can see.  We had a certified chimney sweep come out to inspect it.  He was questioning the safety of the fireplace, and wanted information on who manufactured it and an owners' manual.  (Which we do not have.) He said, because it was unusual, that if he knew how it was installed, it would help determine if it was safe to use.  Also, the firebricks are cracked, and we would like to replace them - but need to know who made them??  At this time, we can not afford to remove and replace this fireplace, and were hoping to continue to use it for weekend use only.  I have attached a photo - could you offer us any help on where we can go to find out the name of the manufacturer?

Answer
Mary,

This type of fireplace stove was produced by a number of manufactures all those years ago. The certified sweep was correct to advise you of his concerns for safety. The proximity of the pipe to the post beam and the apparent lack of hearth protection and the unprotected wood paneled wall, just to call what I can see from your picture. I would advise waiting until you have the resources to remove and replace with a modern listed and EPA certified unit. Wile limited use will probably not result in anything bad happening, I, nor anyone else could ever professionally advance that advice. Remove and replace. Good luck.

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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