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Chimney & Fireplaces/Venting a gas fireplace

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Expert: - 12/31/2007


Question
Randy,
- I live in Minnesota (cold winters), and I'm installing a gas fireplace as part of a basement remodel.
- I was told to use a direct vent to the outside. The venting is multi-layered, with cool air coming in through the outside layer, and hot exhaust air exiting out the center.  The problem is that I must run the venting horizontally across my storage room about 11' to get to the outside.
- I'm hoping to avoid this. I would prefer to vent it directly into a chimney flue that is 3-4' from the gas fireplace.  This flue already vents my existing furnace and hot water heater.
- There is an old concrete patch job plugging a hole in the flue about 2' below the vent hole used for venting the existing furnace and hot water heater.
- Can I break away this old concrete patch, widen the hole going into the flue, and connect up the new 2 layer direct venting for the gas fireplace?
- If it is legal and safe to vent into this existing flue, who does this type of work if I decide to pay someone to install the new vent into the flue?
Note: My house was built in 1925, and I know the flue is the  older style rectangular ceramic/concrete flue.
Note: There is a second flue used for a fireplace 1 story up from this location.

Thanks for your time,

John H. in Minneapolis

Answer
John,

I would recommend contacting an NFI certified gas specialist to consult on both options. The chimney connection sounds like a problem but not being able to see the location will limit my ability to advise you as I would like. The chimney would require the co-axle venting system to terminate at the top of the chimney, not just connect to it. You may have sizing issues with the competing appliances and your 1925 chimney may be unlined or in need of relining under its current load as well.

The horizontal run of 11' ft. may be allowable in the manufacture installation instructions but the professional on site will be able to advise you on that.

Link to my web site at www.brooks-hearth.com, go to the bottom of the home page and click on the NFI icon. Good luck and happy New Year to you and 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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