fireplace in closet

STEVE BURTIS · 01-01-2010, 03:48 PM

Inspection on 12-30. Gas fireplace looked fine in livingroom, until I opened the closet in the bedroom adjacent to the livingroom and found the back of the fireplace including flue, gas lines, ect. I know this can't be right. At the very least the clearance to combustibles ect. won't work. Can't find any threads reference it though since I doubt many of us have seen this. I know it's a first for me.

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**Markus Keller** · 01-01-2010, 04:01 PM

Hi Steve, welcome to the board. Reference for what, Code or other requirements? I don't even bother to look it up on things like this. All the obvious factors are far too easy.
- lack of fire separation
- lack of proper unit support
- burn hazard for occupants, read 'curious kids'
- what's the deal with the electric line on the left side
- is that the closet for the bedroom, is it the only one, so now the bedroom has no closet?
- chimney enclosure and fire separation
I could probably list more if the other door was slid open. Nonetheless I think you get the idea. Oh, did I forget ...
- not installed per Manufacturer Spec.s
Good luck

**Jerry Peck** · 01-01-2010, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by Markus Keller

Hi Steve, welcome to the board. Reference for what, Code or other requirements? I don't even bother to look it up on things like this. All the obvious factors are far too easy.
- lack of fire separation
- lack of proper unit support
- burn hazard for occupants, read 'curious kids'
- what's the deal with the electric line on the left side
- is that the closet for the bedroom, is it the only one, so now the bedroom has no closet?
- chimney enclosure and fire separation
I could probably list more if the other door was slid open. Nonetheless I think you get the idea. Oh, did I forget ...
- not installed per Manufacturer Spec.s
Good luck

I would take the last item in Marcus' list and put it at the top ...
- not installed per Manufacturer Spec.s
- then the rest of the list

STEVE BURTIS · 01-01-2010, 04:30 PM

Thanks guys. It was definitely a WTF moment when I opened the closet doors. After i stopped laughing I was able to take a few photos and tried to figure how to explain all the problems with this to my client. The lines you see on the left are actually the gas lines and yes, this is the only closet in the bedroom.

STEVE BURTIS · 01-01-2010, 04:47 PM

My bad Markus. The lines are an abandoned outlet from when the opening in the wall was made for the fireplace. Plus a convenient ignition source for any leaking gas from the gas line its resting on.

**Bob Harper** · 01-02-2010, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

I would take the last item in Marcus' list and put it at the top ...
- not installed per Manufacturer Spec.s
- then the rest of the list

Keep in mind the mfrs. listed instructions are not required to anticipate EVERY type of installation. They are usually rather sparse in construction details. Newer manuals have gotten a little better but this is litigation driven. One mfr may get *burned* on such an installation while the others know nothing of it. They don't exactly share info. on litigation. So, to each his own. Still, you refer in order: listed instructions, codes then standards.
There may not have been clear cut requirement for protecting the hot Fp from direct personal contact at the time of construction but regardless, it is an issue and should be called out along with lack of proper base support and God knows what else we cannot see from here. Usually when you see one goofy thing, you'll see more. Who wants to take odds on the fireblocking & firestop? Termination? Clearances?

Any more pics?
Bob