Jon Randolph
06-30-2008, 07:30 PM
Found this fireplace in a contractors' home today. Hard to tell from the pic, but the flue opening in the fireplace is completely covered with sheet metal.
What you can't see on the pics is that he added a sunroom opposite of this wall. I could find no evidence of a chimney.
Here is what went into the report:
· Repair, Safety Issue: The venting of this fireplace appears to be inappropriate to this application. The following items need to be addressed prior to the fireplace being used. I recommend further investigation by a fireplace professional or licensed chimney sweep prior to closing on the home. This may include a level II or level III (destructive) inspection. If a level III inspection is needed, walls will need to be opened up to inspect what should be the flue area above the fireplace.
The installation guide for the fireplace can be found at www.heatilator.com/customerCare/installManuals/index.asp (http://www.heatilator.com/customerCare/installManuals/index.asp)
The fireplace model number is EC36.
1. Page #12 of the installation manual states that the minimum chimney height is 13 feet. There is not a chimney present for this fireplace.
2. Page # 19 has a warning that the damper must remain fully open if a gas log set is used. The flue opening has been covered by sheet metal, rendering the damper inoperable. This could allow for carbon monoxide poisoning and possibly death.
3. Page # 19 has a warning that the fireplace was not tested to be used with an unvented log set unless it has been specifically tested by the Underwriters Laboratory for use in this specific model fireplace. Use of an unapproved log set could result in a structural fire.
I could not find a label on the gas log set to investigate it’s approved use in this fireplace as an unvented log set. It is possible that this log set is approved and can be used as is. It is also possible that the log set is not approved, that no approved log set can be found, and that the entire unit will need replacement with an unvented fireplace or that a chimney will need to be constructed to allow for the safe use of this fireplace.
What you can't see on the pics is that he added a sunroom opposite of this wall. I could find no evidence of a chimney.
Here is what went into the report:
· Repair, Safety Issue: The venting of this fireplace appears to be inappropriate to this application. The following items need to be addressed prior to the fireplace being used. I recommend further investigation by a fireplace professional or licensed chimney sweep prior to closing on the home. This may include a level II or level III (destructive) inspection. If a level III inspection is needed, walls will need to be opened up to inspect what should be the flue area above the fireplace.
The installation guide for the fireplace can be found at www.heatilator.com/customerCare/installManuals/index.asp (http://www.heatilator.com/customerCare/installManuals/index.asp)
The fireplace model number is EC36.
1. Page #12 of the installation manual states that the minimum chimney height is 13 feet. There is not a chimney present for this fireplace.
2. Page # 19 has a warning that the damper must remain fully open if a gas log set is used. The flue opening has been covered by sheet metal, rendering the damper inoperable. This could allow for carbon monoxide poisoning and possibly death.
3. Page # 19 has a warning that the fireplace was not tested to be used with an unvented log set unless it has been specifically tested by the Underwriters Laboratory for use in this specific model fireplace. Use of an unapproved log set could result in a structural fire.
I could not find a label on the gas log set to investigate it’s approved use in this fireplace as an unvented log set. It is possible that this log set is approved and can be used as is. It is also possible that the log set is not approved, that no approved log set can be found, and that the entire unit will need replacement with an unvented fireplace or that a chimney will need to be constructed to allow for the safe use of this fireplace.