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Chimney & Fireplaces/running grey PVC conduit near fireplace

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Expert: - 6/7/2009


Question
I am going to hang a LCD over the mantle of my fireplace and have removed the entire front wall above the mantel exposing the cavity above the fireplace. The fireplace itself is a pre-built with a double walled exhaust about 14 inches thick.  
Currently there are two lights, one on each side above the mantel so there are already electrical wires running inside the cavity. I had an electrician take those out and leave an outlet in the middle so there is an exposed wire in the cavity. what I want to do is run grey PVC conduit next to this outlet, horizontally along the inside, and then down the side of the fireplace so that I can run the HDMI and others cables to the TV, hidding all the cables. Do you think this will be safe?  The metal exhaust duct currently runs up and then out of the house and at the point where it reaches the ceiling above the fireplace is touching the 2x4 studs so if this is fine then I believe I should be OK but just wanted an expert opinion.

Thank you

Answer
Carlos,

If the chimney pipe is touching the wood studs anywhere, this is not okay. All chimney pipe requires a clearance to combustibles of some distance. It will be important to have an inspection performed wile your wall is opened up to determine if any other concerns are visible. As far as the fireplace is concerned, it should have what is called a listing label that indicate the manufacture and model number of the appliance. You may have success locating an installation requirement manual and safely install you TV at that point. Certainly the PVC running alongside the firebox is concerning, but at some distance, it would be safe. Only the manufactures instruction can tell you how close it can be. All of these appliances are tested and listed at different clearances and rarely are two alike. Good luck. For a inspector that offers NFPA-211 inspections, feel free to use the links at the bottom of my home page at brooks-hearth.com.

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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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