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Chimney & Fireplaces/wood stove chimney clearance at ceiling

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Expert: - 1/22/2006


Question
Hi Bart,
We are installing a Vigilant Vermont Castings woodstove (1979-ish).  It is being installed in our one story cottage.  There is no attic above the room- just about 4-5" of ceiling.  I am concerned that my husband has cut the hole too small- it is just big enough for the chimney to fit through- so the drywall/roof is nearly touching the metal chimney pipe.  What do we need at the top of the metal chimney pipe- inside the house, where it goes through the ceiling- to protect the surrounding drywall/roof?  Is the insulated chimney (stainless steel 8 inch) enough, or does the hole need to be bigger in diameter, and does there need to be some sort of guard between the chimney and the drywall?

Thank you!

Answer
Hello Irene,

WOW, it's a good thing you wrote when you did.  Your husband's installation is NOT correct!

You should have a support box that installs at the ceiling level.  The connector piping from the stove should connect to it at the bottom and the chimney should connect to it from the top.

Most, but not all, insulated stainless steel residential chimney systems require 2" of clearance to ALL combustibles (this includes drywall!).

The insulated chimney should have a sticker on it or a stamp that states clearance.  Better yet, the support box is usually packaged with a complete instruction manual - tell him to READ IT!  ;-)

Irene, don't let him go any further until he has a COMPLETE set of instructions in his hands - this step may prevent the house fire that's getting ready to occur from an incorrect installation.  ALL the proper components MUST be used.

Also, if you're using single-wall connector piping, it MUST have a minimum of 18" clearance to any combustibles - this includes Drywall!

Good luck with your project and thanks for using AllExperts.Com.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
www.homesafeks.com  

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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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