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Expert: - 1/23/2010


Question
Randy,  I built a 3500sqft capecod 4 years ago and prepped for a central chimney in all framing and foundation aspects. I have a full basement where I want to install a wood/coal furnace hooked up to my existing heat pump ducting. On the main floor I have a great room backed up to a country kitchen.  I want to install a wood insert stove in the great room and a Rumford fireplace with bread oven in the country kitchen.  Do I have to build a standard masonry fireplace for the insert in the great room or just a square masonry box with a 6" flue that fits the insert I choose? Trying to design the chimney has been a pain to fit all of these flues in so need any help I can get! Thanks!

Answer
Duane,

All inserts for wood-burning are listed for installation into an operational pre-existing masonry fireplace. Their listing of UL #1492 specifically states this for wood heaters such as this. You may wish to consider a high efficiency wood fireplace, which is like a built in wood stove using a lighter weight class "A" chimney system. Many manufactures produce these and the inserts are great as well, but for new construction, I would look at the fireplace unit. Feel free to use the links on my home page at www.brooks-hearth.com to find products you like and search for dealers in your area. Hope this helps and best of luck with your project.

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Volunteer

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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