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Chimney & Fireplaces/Old firbox removal from woodburning fireplace

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Expert: - 9/18/2009


Question
Randy,
I have a fireplace in my home that was installed around 1971-72.  The outside of the fireplace is field stone masonry which I would like to keep.  However, there is a metal firebox with an internal damper which you must reach up inside the firebox to manipulate.  The box is rusting out on the bottom edges and I would like to remove it but keep the field stone masonry.  I would like to set a freestanding wood stove in front of the hearth and direct the exhast duct into the fireplace chimney.  Is it possible to remove the box without disturbing the masonry?

Thanks,
A.Patterson

Answer

The most important chi
Aaron,

It may be possible. I would consult with a hearth dealer and have the existing fireplace and chimney inspected to the NFPA-211 standard. This is an industry requirement and a must for safety. You may have several options to chouse from and you will want to consider as many as possible for your home. Please feel free to use the links at the bottom of my home at www.brooks-hearth.com and find an inspector offering these inspection. Best of luck to you and your family.  

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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