You are here:

Chimney & Fireplaces/Gas fireplace vent with chimney top

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/1/2007


Question
Hi Bart, when we built our house we installed a top venting fireplace, with a vent pipe that travels vertically approximately 35ft.  For aesthetics I has a large clay chimney pot put over the standard round steel exhaust pipe.  The pot allows roughly 3 inches of clearance from the clay to the steel exhaust vent.  I also had large openings added to the four sides of the base of the clay pot to allow air to easily flow to and from the steel exhaust vent.  My fireplace functions properly with no issues, but I've always had a slight concern that I've never seen anyone else do this -  are there any potential issues I should be concerned about?  Thanks for your help

Answer
Hi Ken,

If this is a framed chase, the chimney pot should not have been installed due to the weight issues and the fact that this is an "unlisted shroud".  The National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, does not allow any unlisted shrouds to be installed.

When installing this clay pot, you've actually changed the venting dynamics of the termination which can affect the unit performance and unit safety.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site examination of your system to determine any potential hazards.

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

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

Chimney & Fireplaces

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.