Expert: Bart Ogden - 10/26/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello -
I am considering replacing a 20-year old pellet stove with a wood-burning kiva-style fireplace.  The pellet stove is freestanding (away from walls), with an exposed metal vent/flue extending straight up thru the 2nd floor and roof. The plan would be to have the kiva fireplace in the same position and utilize the existing flue/vent.  The interior portion of the flue/vent would be enclosed with a stucco-like finish to complete the kiva look.  Is this feasible?  Can the existing flue be used for a fireplace?

Thanks for your input.
Melanie

ANSWER: Hi Melanie,

No, you'll need to put a new residential flue system in for the new wood-burning kiva-style fireplace.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice 316-265-9828
Fax 316-265-9890
www.HomeSafeKS.com

CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep #2653
CSIA Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician #10
NFI Certified Wood Specialist
NFI Certified Gas Specialist
NFI Certified Pellet Specialist
NFI Master Hearth Professional
NCSG Technical Advisory Council Member

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

QUESTION: Hi Again - Just a quick follow-up question:
Would the "new residential flue system" you referenced be a double wall chimney pipe?  If so, would it fit within the current clearances described below?  I would utilize a 24" curved (kiva style) prefabricated masonry firebox.

The current pellet stove (Whitfield) has a 4.5" diameter flue/vent, which increases to about 8" or so where it penetrates the 2nd floor.  The adjacent wood floor construction allows about a 6" clearance around the flue/vent (covered with a wide collar-type flange), so the hole thru the 2nd floor is about 15" diam.  The flue/vent increases again to about 12" diam. before penetrating the roof construction.  Here, adjacent construction allows about 4", for a total hole diam. of about 20".   The stack rises about 5' above the pitched roof.

Thanks again,
Melanie  

Answer
Hi Melanie,

It depends on what the flue requirement of the fireplace would be.

Those typically are, at minimum, 8".  More commonly, they are 10".

This would leave you needing appx. 15" for an 8" id flue and appx 17" for a 10" id flue.

You'll need to check the requirements on the fireplace as to what flue system is required and that will tell you a lot.

Bart