Chimney & Fireplaces/fireplace insert

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Expert: - 8/10/2010


Question
my husband is planning on putting a wood burning insert.  there is no
existing fireplace.  in order to get the permit we have to come up with plans.  
The city said we can hand draw them, but we are having a hard time drawing
plans that involve the construction of the soffit and how to show how it is
going to attach to the house.  My dad and husband can do it, we just were not
sure where we could look at some plans to give up an idea on how to draw it.  
If you have any ideas it would be greatly appreciated

Answer
Rachelle,

The installation of wood-stove inserts is serious business. I have no doubt that your husband and Father can do most things, but installing one the appliances in an existing fireplace that has passed an NFPA-211, level II inspection is another. It sounds like they are planning to build a complying chimney to hour the insert stove? if this is correct, the first red flag to me is the difficulty understanding what it looks like. Don't get me wrong, I don't build fireplaces either but certainly wouldn't strike out to build for installation of one these units.

Please use the links at the bottom of my home page at www.brooks-hearth.com and find a qualified installer to come out and advice on a safe path of action. Good luck to your family.

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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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