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Question
We just bought a new home here in the Buffalo area in the early Spring and started using our fireplace this fall. Thanksgiving day we had a fire that started in the chimney and we were told by the inspectors that we had a chimney cap that was not part of our fireplace, he called it a zc fireplace. Almost lost the house and want to know what to do about the fireplace? Merry Christmas.
Alice,
Provided there is enough of the factory built fireplace and surrounding construction left to accurately determine the ignition point of your fire, I would recommend a complete NFPA-211 level II inspection be performed. It sounds like the termination had been altered with either an unlisted decorative shroud or an unlisted termination cap that altered the venting process. There could also be evidence of construction defect in regards to required clearances to combustible materials. "Google" fireplace inspections and this will help you find a qualified inspector to perform this service. Good luck.
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Answers by Expert:
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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