Thread: What is this

.............

It's an outside combustion air duct that was installed incorrectly. It just wasn't installed to the exterior.

We find these all the time installed into attic spaces or left in the chase.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com

These may help, from

http://content.hearthnhome.com/downl...s/4044-132.pdf

There is a reason you can see that from up there, and you should not be able to ... think "missing firestopping/fireblocking at the ceiling.

Good thing you could see down in there, there is insulation against the vent/chimney, there is no strap visible for the vent/chimney sections down in there, there is not strap for the gas line down in there, and it looks like there is insulation against the fire place - all of which *you should NOT have been able to see*.

He identified those problems in the original post, Jerry.

Good catch, though.

Like we tell all our installers - - - Think Compartmentalized! If something bad happens, we want it contained to one area and not able to spread very easily.

The local AHJ is considering requiring all interior fireplace chases to be drywalled whenever insulation is present. We've been sugggesting this to them for years.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com

Originally Posted by Bart Ogden

He identified those problems in the original post, Jerry.

Duh - he sure did.

Dan.

As it has not been mention. There looks like water is getting in from some where,Rust around chimney's /vent.

-Missing fireblocking and listed firestop
-verify clearances to combustibles
-Unsecured loose insulation touching Fp
-Combustible insulation on top of Fp
-possible rust stains on top Fp at starter collar, which means inspect termination for water penetration
-Insulated exterior wall must meet the current bldg code as any other exterior wall in the home, which includes sheathing. Since there is an increased likelihood of moisture condensing in a chase, I would advise to stay away from good mold food sources such as drywall. The best product I've seen is Thermoply. Aside from making lousy mold dinner, it is strong, a good air block, and is thin so it doesn't encroach as much on clearances the way drywall can.
-Gas piping improperly supported. Is this gas line properly sealed to the firebox inner wall and refractory knockout? What does this serve and where is the shutoff within 6 ft. accessible in the CAZ?
-improper combustion air kit. Needs to be properly installed.
-Cannot see chimney offset well but it needs to be supported at the offset, return and every 6 ft or per the listing. Each joint in outer wall should have 3-4 screws, too. Must meet min. height for offsets. If chimney too short, mfr. may not allow any offsets unless chimney extended.
-Recommend Level II with poss. a Level III. Someone is going to play Tunnel Rat and go down there to clean that mess up. Since this is a confined space, you would need to check into pulling a special permit for this access.

Hi Bart, long time no see! Bart, I discussed drywalling chases with the Johnson Co. code officials at their annual training gig in Kansas City in Feb. of 2006. Gene was there btw. I sugggested T-ply to them and we showed them a mock up chase with a Fp installed. Maybe ya'll might want to do something similar with your AHJs.

Warmest regards,
Bob Harper