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Expert: - 5/28/2007


Question
Hi Bart, and thank you so much for taking the time to help your fellow 'man' it is very appreciated!! Ok... so here is the question: my husband and I are buying a 23 year old RANCH style home with a fireplace in an inside wall (on the family room side) between the family room and living room.  We want to convert to a dual sided fireplace.  I have read your answer to a previous similar question, however... this is all on one floor.  We are hoping that there wouldn't be the down draft problems as with the other similar question, (their fireplace was on ground and first floor.)  Our house has full footings in the basement, however, the fireplace is only on the main floor.  We would LOVE to be able to open up the other side of the fire place and enjoy it in both rooms... IF we are to be concerned with down draft... what about a chimeny fan?  I have heard of this used in other situations.  Thank you again, Julie & Tom

Answer
Hi Julie,

There are MANY problems with this type of installation, the main one being flow capacity, not "down draft".

Yes, a fan can be used sometimes, but if the fan EVER quits during operation, you will have enormous amounts of smoke in the house.  The fan must also be used at all times the fireplace is in use.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis and suggested solutions for you.

Typically, CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps are very familiar with draft, flow and laminar air issues that will all need to be overcome to deal with this potential project you are considering.

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
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com

Chimney & Fireplaces

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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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