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Chimney & Fireplaces/Dryer vents in multi-storey apartment building

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Expert: - 5/4/2004


Question
We have a 9 storey apartment building with two dryers on each of the top eight floors.  Presently each dryer is vented out through the wall with individual horizontal 4" ducts but the vent dampers get clogged quickly and are very hard to clean because of their height above the ground.  Also birds are breaking through the plastic grilles and getting into the warm outlet ducts.  

Have you ever run these 4" vents into a vertical duct which would go up to a screened gooseneck outlet on the roof? We would need backdraft dampers on each 4" horizontal duct so lint is not blown back through unoperating dryers.

Thanks,
Rick Nafziger

Answer
Hi Rick,

Depending on local codes, you may not be allowed to do this.

If the plastic screening is being penetrated, try a metal screen of at least 1/2" screen holes.

With the height of these units, you're simply going to have to move the dryers and clean behind them from the inside of the building.

I would suggest you check your local code requirements bfore doing anything like your thinking of doing.

Bart

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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