Chimney & Fireplaces/martin fireplaces

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Expert: - 8/2/2009


Question
QUESTION: I have a woodbrning fireplace that is in good shape.Can I put a gas insert in it.

ANSWER: Joe,

Provided it is a masonry fireplace and chimney, yes. If your fireplace is factory built or a metal box with chimney pipe sections, no. The listing and safety testing of these factory built units didn't include additional 250 - 350 lbs of insert stove and the excessive heat they produce. Good luck and I hope your fireplace in good shape is masonry.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It's a factory built. But i'm putting a set of unvented logs in it that only weighs 20 lbs and it's only 32,000 BTU and cap off the pipe@ the roof.After having it cleaned.

Thanks for time,
Joe Mowbray

Answer
Joe,

Changing appliances and or fuel sources simply requires an NFPA-211, level II inspection of your system prior to conversion. Please feel free to use the links at the bottom of my home page at www.brooks-hearth.com and find an inspector in your area that offers these inspections. Good luck.

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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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