Very inovative spark arrester and rain cap solution.

**Tim Ganey** · 08-22-2014, 08:34 PM

There was nothing here during the inspection and I called it. Realtor and client want to know if this is an acceptable, home owner solution, you know he was cussing me the inspector. Don't know if it is secured but... very innovative! If its secure I give him some cred. What do you think?Chimney Spark Arrestor.jpeg

**Billy Stephens** · 08-23-2014, 06:33 AM

Only If the Fireplace is abandoned ( blocked in ) would that be OK otherwise unlisted Fire Hazard!

**Nick Ostrowski** · 08-23-2014, 06:59 AM

If the realtor really got mad at you for calling this out, they need to get a clue.

Wrong wrong wrong. And that mortar cap needs repairs too.

**Jimmy Roberts** · 08-25-2014, 05:42 AM

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

Only If the Fireplace is abandoned ( blocked in ) would that be OK otherwise unlisted Fire Hazard!

Is that box made of plastic (excluding the cover)? Is plastic flammable? Is the fireplace used to burn wood? Does the need for a spark arrester suggest that glowing fragments (sparks) of wood may be present?

**Billy Stephens** · 08-25-2014, 05:52 AM

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

Only If the Fireplace is abandoned ( blocked in ) it would that be OK otherwise unlisted Fire Hazard!

Originally Posted by Jimmy Roberts

Is that box made of plastic (excluding the cover)? Is plastic flammable? Is the fireplace used to burn wood? Does the need for a spark arrester suggest that glowing fragments (sparks) of wood may be present?

Jimmy,

Not sure what the question is?

*if the Fireplace is blocked in and abandoned ( meaning it cannot be used to made a Fire ) nothing is burning and there are No Sparks.

**Lon Henderson** · 08-25-2014, 06:06 AM

Am I missing something? It looks like a BBQ grill. If so, what's the problem? If all the parts are metal, then this looks like it'll work. I'm not aware of any guidelines for building spark arrestors beyond common sense.

**Dirk Jeanis** · 08-25-2014, 06:24 AM

Originally Posted by Lon Henderson

Am I missing something? It looks like a BBQ grill. If so, what's the problem? If all the parts are metal, then this looks like it'll work. I'm not aware of any guidelines for building spark arrestors beyond common sense.

I have been involved with some spark arrestor issues in Texas. Where a complete system is installed that is UL listed, If the spark arresestor was purchased as part of the assempbly or called out in the assembly it MUST be 1. the one called our ot sold withe the UL listed assembly OR 2. Certified under UL for tha assembly.

If the fireplace and chimney are site built, then THis is not the case. The defalt will be based on the engineering drawings of the chimney. I have no idea what happens if site built and no engineer stamped plans. I would guess that any reasonable cap that performs the purpose of 1.spark arresting 2. preventing water intrusion 3. preventing insect and critter intrusion would be acceptable as long as it is made from proper material.

One of the associations had major issues with original design. They had a chimney specialist design a new cap and install in about 180 units. THis was done improperly allowing backdraft from one chinmey to he next. Build a fire inte living room and smoke comes into the bedroom. Also wasps nests became an issue and invasion of houses by wasps was not uncommon.

THis design was from a major and professional chimney repair company.

I beleive that there is at least one suit and more to follow. Use caution, If a chimney cap does not look correct, the design will not stop insects/critters, the design does not stop water, the design does not have proper vertical clearance to roof/ridge for draft, and is not properly separated from other chimneys both horizonally and vertically, then note it. If unsure about dual chimneys look up the code(s) and or the mfg requirement under UL. (there may be a problem in that the ONLY UL stamp with the UL # and the mfg is INSIDE the chase in the case I was involved in.

Luckily I was the one that figured out the problems and was able to prove the association had violated fire codes along with the Chimney company.

**Billy Stephens** · 08-25-2014, 08:00 AM

Originally Posted by Lon Henderson

Am I missing something? It looks like a BBQ grill. If so, what's the problem? If all the parts are metal, then this looks like it'll work. I'm not aware of any guidelines for building spark arrestors beyond common sense.

Originally Posted by Dirk Jeanis

I have been involved with some spark arrestor issues in Texas. Where a complete system is installed that is UL listed, If the spark arresestor was purchased as part of the assempbly or called out in the assembly it MUST be 1. the one called our ot sold withe the UL listed assembly OR 2. Certified under UL for tha assembly.

If the fireplace and chimney are site built, then THis is not the case. The defalt will be based on the engineering drawings of the chimney. I have no idea what happens if site built and no engineer stamped plans. I would guess that any reasonable cap that performs the purpose of 1.spark arresting 2. preventing water intrusion 3. preventing insect and critter intrusion would be acceptable as long as it is made from proper material.

One of the associations had major issues with original design. They had a chimney specialist design a new cap and install in about 180 units. THis was done improperly allowing backdraft from one chinmey to he next. Build a fire inte living room and smoke comes into the bedroom. Also wasps nests became an issue and invasion of houses by wasps was not uncommon.

THis design was from a major and professional chimney repair company.

I beleive that there is at least one suit and more to follow. Use caution, If a chimney cap does not look correct, the design will not stop insects/critters, the design does not stop water, the design does not have proper vertical clearance to roof/ridge for draft, and is not properly separated from other chimneys both horizonally and vertically, then note it. If unsure about dual chimneys look up the code(s) and or the mfg requirement under UL. (there may be a problem in that the ONLY UL stamp with the UL # and the mfg is INSIDE the chase in the case I was involved in.

Luckily I was the one that figured out the problems and was able to prove the association had violated fire codes along with the Chimney company.

Lon,
Yep the Temperature Gauge on the side means the ribs are cooked. ( Or the Fire department is on the Way!)

Dirk,
Look at R1001.6.1 Chapter 10 - Chimneys and Fireplaces

**Dirk Jeanis** · 08-25-2014, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

Lon,
Yep the Temperature Gauge on the side means the ribs are cooked. ( Or the Fire department is on the Way!)

Dirk,
Look at R1001.6.1 Chapter 10 - Chimneys and Fireplaces

Yup, I wrote all that up including Chapter 10.
There are additional issues where dual fireplaces in a single chase exist. I can't remember the code and dont care to look it up. Regardless of code the issue is that especially when a SINGLE cap covers dual cimneys there is a big issue with downdrafts into the non-use unit. There must be horizontal and veritcal separation between the terminations to function correctly.

**kenny martin** · 08-25-2014, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Tim Ganey

There was nothing here during the inspection and I called it. Realtor and client want to know if this is an acceptable, home owner solution, you know he was cussing me the inspector. Don't know if it is secured but... very innovative! If its secure I give him some cred. What do you think?Chimney Spark Arrestor.jpeg

The biggest issue I see, other than the fact it is not a U.L. listed or approved cap, are the ends.. they are flat and deep and they will restrict proper heat escape and potentially cause a back pressure. Look at spark arrestor rain caps and they have minimal lips and usually are angled allowing proper movement of heat/air unless of course they are much larger than the actual flue.