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Chimney & Fireplaces/Insulating around masonry chimney

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Expert: - 5/11/2010


Question
I guess I'm either really dense, or what I'm thinking about just isn't done, because I've looked & can't seem to find an answer to my question, so here goes.

I am anticipating renting a room in an attic that along one wall has what appears to be a cinder block type chimney that has 3 sides exposed to the room. They tell me it produces a lot of heat in the room in the winter. Well, I was wondering if you can put some type of insulation around it like you see around a water heater, lets say, to keep the heat out of the room. I am wanting to put up a wall in the middle of the room, but it would be way too hot with the heat from the chimney with no windows to open in that area. Your help is appreciated. Thanks so much!

Answer
John,

The International Residential code, IRC 2006 requires a two inch clearance to this wall from combustible material. I would frame the wall with this required clearance and insulate the wall rather than the chimney. Maintain the two inches and you are good to go. I would recommend an NFPA-211 level II inspection of the chimney system as well. Best of luck to you.

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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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