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Chimney & Flue Inspection, Diagnosis, Cleaning & Repair Guide InspectAPedia®  -     Chimney inspection & photo guide to chimney diagnosis, & repair Chimney cleaning procedures; chimney types & materials Chimney draft problem diagnosis & repair Chimney movement, cracks, leaning, curved, collapse diagnosis & repair Chimney & flue fire clearances & chimney sizing Masonry & metal chimney inspection, clearances, codes Flues & flue vent connectors, inspection, diagnosis, repair Fireplaces, woodstoves, inserts: inspection, diagnosis, repair Questions & answers about chimney inspections, chimney troubleshooting & chimney repairs

Guide to chimneys: this series of detailed chimney articles provides detailed suggestions describing how to perform a thorough visual inspection of chimneys for safety and other defects. Chimney inspection methods and chimney repair methods are also discussed.

These articles describe and illustrate chimney inspection procedures and critical chimney defects which can be observed from outdoors at ground level.

We begin with some basic definitions of chimneys and chimney types, followed by an outdoor chimney inspection beginning at ground level. the detection of chimney movement, its causes, its symptoms. These articles continue with other chimney defects that can be found by visual inspection from outdoors at ground level, then from an on-roof inspection, followed by indoor inspections and ending with chimney-flue interior inspections. As with all building inspection, diagnosis, and safety topics, this material may be incomplete. Contact Us by email to suggest content additions or corrections.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Introduction to Inspection of Chimneys and Flues

A chimney must be moisture and gas tight and convey the products of combustion to the outside atmosphere. It sounds like a simple job, but because chimneys are exposed to weather, high and low temperatures, water and moisture, squirrels, nest-building hornets and birds, corrosive gases, occasional incompetent builders or installers, combustible products, potentially fatal flue gases, and even sparks that could cause a fire, and because proper venting of flue gases is necessary for safe and efficient heating system operation, a periodic and careful chimney inspection is important.

What makes for a reliable chimney inspection for safety and function? A combination of these three things:

1. A chimney inspection procedure. Having an inspection procedure helps assure that no critical topic or chimney condition is ignored
2. Chimney & Venting Alertness: the inspector cannot rely on a checklist or procedure to guarantee that a chimney inspection is complete and accurate. While checklists and procedures help this process, no checklist and no procedure can list every possible chimney defect or unsafe condition. Alertness includes attending to construction methods and materials or site conditions that might raise a concern about a chimney and might justify additional investigation, even when no problem is immediately visible.
3. Good knowledge of chimney construction, safety, venting requirements, various chimney materials and construction methods and what tends to go wrong with each method. This helps the inspector to recognize a chimney defect or safety hazard even if seeing it for the first time.

This article catalogs and gives details of chimney problems that can be observed from outside and from inside of a building. A naturally drafted chimney for natural gas or oil fuel appliances lasted many years because of the hot gases venting up through the clay flue. Changes in the way chimneys are used, including changes from coal, wood, or oil heat to natural gas adds still more chimney problems, some of which are dangerous. Outside, by attending to even minor clues we might detect improper or unsafe heating system operation, collapse hazards, building leaks and water damage, and other concerns. Of these, most critical and life threatening problem for which a home inspector or homeowner should be alert is the risk of leaks of combustion products into the dwelling - gases which could contain the sparks of a fire or the threat of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning. The photo above shows a cracked chimney top seal or "crown" and also that there is no chimney cap installed. Notice my green pen [DF] sticking right into the chimney masonry at the top? Water and frost damage are risks for this flue. What else can we see on this chimney top? The flue looks pretty clean - perhaps this is a gas-fired appliance. The top clay liner looks good - at least the part we can see in the photo, but don't assume anything about the rest of the flue before it's inspected. See the individual chimney inspection procedures and defects described at Chimney Inspection Outdoors From Ground and Chimney Inspection Outdoors at Rooftop. Inside the building we may spot abandoned chimneys, unsafe chimneys, fire hazards and flue gas hazards. During the chimney inspection we may see little clues which point to potentially serious concerns, like broken clay flue tile liner parts in the bottom of a chimney cleanout opening. see Chimney Inspection Indoor Procedures for details.

Chimney Components & Definitions

NFPA 54, the National Fuel Gas Code, recommends that when a new appliance is retrofitted into an existing installation, or an existing appliance is removed from a common vent, the entire venting system, which may include a masonry chimney, should conform to current codes.

Many houses inspected have had higher efficiency appliances installed, some direct vented, and we observe corroded vent connector pipes, corroded chimney cleanout doors and disintegrated masonry at the cleanout. It is the intent of this paper to inform and suggest to the ASHI members methods of inspecting chimneys and flues so as to provide a more complete inspection for the client.

Definition of Chimney: A chimney is a structure manufactured or constructed to form and enclose one or more vertical passages (flues) through which products of combustion pass to the outside atmosphere. A masonry chimney needs to have a sound foundation to prevent settling and movement, and must be soundly constructed so as not to leak combustion gases as well as to prevent setting the building on fire. see Chimney Types & Materials

Definition of Flue or Chimney Flue: A pipe or shaft for the passage of smoke, hot air and gas in a chimney. A single masonry chimney may contain more than one flue. There are important safety regulations about the construction, separation, and use of chimney flues within a chimney. In general chimney flues are not shared among devices on different floors, and sharing of flues among devices on a single floor is limited to certain heating equipment combinations. see Chimney Inspection: Flue Interiors for details.

Definition of Vent Connector or Flue Vent Connector: A vent is a manufactured product intended only to serve a specific type of appliance under narrowly defined conditions. For example, the thin-walled metal pipe, typically 6" in diameter or larger and used to connect an oil-fired heating boiler or a gas-fired furnace to a metal or masonry chimney is properly called the flue vent connector. Lots of people call this component the "flue pipe" or "stack pipe". There are important safety regulations about the components, installation, fire clearances, and fire ratings of flue vent connectors and their component parts. see Flue Vent Connectors - Boilers, Furnaces for details about the inspection, installation, hazards, and repairs of flue vent connectors.

Inside Chimneys

All chimneys whose construction is entirely internal to the building structure up to the roof line are considered inside chimneys.

Outside Chimneys

Chimneys with three walls exposed to the outdoors are considered outside chimneys. Vents may experience continued condensation. A "Type B" vent or a listed chimney lining system passing through an unused masonry chimney flue is not considered to be exposed to the outdoors.

see Chimneys: Outdoors - performance for details.

Three Sided Chimneys

A three-sided or "three walled chimney" is one which does not provide full masonry thickness or fire protection around all sides of the chimney flue. Three sided chimneys can be a very serious fire risk because the chimney has been built close to or even directly against combustible building materials without the necessary fire clearance and masonry fire protection needed. see Three-Sided Chimneys: Outdoors for details.

The Functions of a Chimney Wall

The chimney wall has two primary functions: structural and draft inducing or thermal performance.

Masonry chimney walls are generally built of brick, stone or concrete masonry units. Codes dictate the thickness and mortar requirements.

All concrete products must be waterproofed and all mortar joints solid through the thickness. Masonry chimneys may not be supported on structural elements of the building.

Masonry chimneys must be fully self supporting. see Bracket Chimneys below for an example of chimneys that are not self-supporting.

Our photo (left) shows an unsupported chimney in the top floor of a pre-1900 home. This chimney has it all (bad): the masonry chimney rests on floorboards between floor joists - it does not support its own weight. The chimney is cracked, damaged, and has evidence of a fire. There are other defects as well. Notice the glass chemical fire extinguisher hanging from the ceiling? Will that be effective against a fire at the chimney? (And are its contents toxic?)

Abandoned chimneys that have been partially removed may also be structures that are no longer self supporting. Surprising to some people is the discover that the lower portion of an internal masonry chimney has been removed in a building, leaving the inadequately-supported weight of remaining chimney sections in an attic or on upper building floors. see Abandoned Chimneys: Outdoors, then Abandoned Chimneys - Indoor Inspection.

Notes on articles in process are just below. Contact Us by email to suggest content or corrections.

Choices for Re-Lining Masonry Chimney Flues

This article will discuss when and why chimney flues are re-lined and lists a few of the chimney repair or relining alternatives. Selection of the chimney liner system depends on the configuration of the flue. Straight flues are not difficult whereas offset flues will require a flexible liner system or the removing of brick work at the offsets so that angle fittings can be installed. Both flexible and single wall rigid metal liners can be insulated to further avoid condensation. This is very important in cold climates and for high chimneys. see Re-Lining Choices for Masonry Chimneys for details.

Damaged Chimney flues: cracks, holes, spalling

Spalled brickwork can be replaced brick by brick or the chimney can be rebuilt after tearing it down to a sound level. This allows for new flue tiles to be installed if needed. Cracks need to be evaluated to identify the cause - a crack may indicate serious chimney movement, structural damage, risk of collapse, flue gas and fire hazards, or improper construction leading to thermal cracking. see Chimney Crack Detection & Diagnosis.

Metal Chimney Component Replacement

Metal components can be replaced and single-wall flue connectors, if corroded on the bottom of horizontal sections, can be replaced with Type B or L flues which will maintain the flue gas temperature and minimize condensation. see Replacement Components for Metal Chimneys for details.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Questions & answers about chimney inspections, chimney troubleshooting & chimney repairs

Question: how do we measure the draft at a chimney?

How are chimney draft inspected. - Louie

Reply: we use a draft gauge, instruments ranging from simple and inexpensive to more sophisticated; measuring draft vs "inspecting" chimney draft

Measuring Chimney Draft

We use a draft gauge - a sensitive instrument that compares relative pressures at two locations - such as in the room and in the chimney.

We can actually measure the draft in a chimney using a draft gauge - heating service techs have this equipment. Draft can be measured at just about any chimney, but is discussed in detail where we explain the draft regulators used on heating equipment - see DRAFT MEASUREMENT, CHIMNEYS & FLUES.

It makes sense to also perform a visual inspection of a chimney for draft problem sources such as an open or missing cleanout door, missing or improper chimney cap, or damage and leaks in the chimney itself.

"Inspecting Chimney Draft"

Because chimney draft is a number, we can't actually "see" draft. But an experienced home inspector, heating service technician, or chimney installer may indeed spot serious, even dangerous trouble, including chimney draft problems just "by eye" when inspecting heating equipment, fireplaces, building roofs, and chimneys themselves.

That's because lots of serious chimney defects that involve chimney draft can be caused by visible building conditions - such as a heating appliance installed in a tiny closet with no combustion air supply and an airtight door to that room, or a visibly cracked or damaged chimney, or a missing chimney cleanout door, leaving the chimney bottom open.

Other chimney draft problems might be "inspected" or I should say inferred by visual clues that telltale heating equipment operating trouble often traced to inadequate or even excessive draft - such as chronically sooty oil burner operation or an oil burner that keeps burning off the front of the appliance.

Question: What and where are the soffit, fascia board and are they parts of a chimney? What is a "corible"

where is the "soffit" and "fascia board" on a chimney? I was told they need caulked. And what is a "corible". I was told it needs sealed. Thanks. - Rick

Reply: soffit and fascia are roof edge trim components. Corbelling is stair-stepping in brick work, often used to angle a chimney over to a desired location.

Rick, you got me on that question. Soffits on building exteriors are the enclosed lower portion of the roof overhang or roof edge, also called "eaves".

The fascia board (green arrow in our sketch at left) is a vertical board running parallel to the roof edge on the outer edge of the soffit - usually it's covered by the roof edge gutters.

A soffit is a general term for a boxed-in overhang and might appear indoors in a kitchen over cabinets. In our roof sketch (left) the soffit is pointed to by our red arrow. The sketch at left is provided courtesy Steven Bliss & J Wiley & Sons [4]

A chimney doesn't have a soffit nor fascia, though a chimney built up along an outside house wall might indeed come into contact with or even penetrate a soffit and fascia along one of the roof edges.

But if your chimney runs up the outside wall of your home where it intersects with a lower roof edge, the soffit might be "interrupted" around the roof eaves in that area - and it's a common leak point.

Sadly it sounds as if you were getting questionable advice. What prevents leaks where a chimney passes through a roof, even at the lower edge or soffit or eaves of the house, is flashing, not caulking. Caulk would be a short-lived band aid.

Corbelling: Corible - sounds like something "horrible" and isn't a word I've heard nor been able to find in building dictionaries except perhaps used as a term for button-like decorations around a section of building, roof, or chimney trim.

I suspect your contractor meant "corbeling" (photo at left, some spell corbelling) which refers to a stair-stepped or sometimes simply "slanted" chimney construction that allows the mason to angle a chimney off to one side in order to send it where the building designer or architect wanted. For example a corbeled chimney may stairstep to one side in an attic in order to exit the roof right at the ridge rather than extending straight up from lower floors to a lower roof penetration location.

See our "House Parts" dictionary at HOUSE PARTS, DEFINITIONS to see a building sketch that defines different parts of the house, or see ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS for photos & sketches of what roof soffits and fascias look like.

Your question worries me that you are not getting clear cogent advice. Maybe ask whoever told you to be more clear.

Question: how to deal with birds invading the chimney

I have birds that built nests in the inner wall of my 3 wall liner. The inspector said the nests have pushed down the pipe and that the flue will need to be removed and cleaned and then reinstalled. He estimated it could be around $1,800! I have access to the back of my fireplace and asked if the flue can be disconnected from the fireplace and then raised enough to push the nesting down while someone pushes from the top. Has anyone ran into this or have a suggestion on how I should fix this so I can use this fireplace? Thanks Terry

Reply:

Terry I too have been absolutely stunned by recent quotes from chimney installation and repair companies. I don't have a full nor accurate picture of your chimney design and installation, but it's reasonable for you to

- not use the flue until it is repaired or replaced - a blocked flue or nests between flue or chimney walls are dangerous

- consider that a triple-wall metal chimney is probably not designed for easy cleaning of the interstitial space between the various walls, making removal, disassembly, cleaning, and replacement or reassembly and certification important for safety

Question: An orange powdery material is leaching through the flue of an old unused chimney - what is it?

I've got an orange powdery material leaching through the flue of a chimney that was seal off about 1-1/2 years ago. Any ideas as to what the substance might be? - Dan

Reply: check out effloresences and look for a chimney leak

Dan
It sounds like efflorescence from moisture leaks. At EFFLORESCENCE, Salts & White / Brown Deposits take a look at our photos of effloresences, a mineral salt left behind when water penetrates a masonry wall (or chimney) and evaporates. There we also discuss causes, cures, and implications of effloresences for building care and maintenance.

Question: noises coming from inside the chimney when it's windy - like a tennis ball?

i have a strange noise coming from inside my house chimney when the wind gets strong something like a tennis ball rattling around what could it be - Steve

Reply:

Steve, I don't know, but some guesses include

- chimney mounted components like antennas (not recommended)
- a chimney top damper that has become loose
- downdrafts rattling a loose damper at chimney bottom
- a rattling barometric damper on one of the heating appliances connected to the chimney

Is the chimney in use for venting heating equipment? If so I'd get a chimney sweep out promptly to take a look, since the flue could be unsafe. If it's just for a fireplace, you might be ok doing some further detective work.

Also check out our diagnostic guide to house noises at NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE and be sure also to see Chimney noises and see Wind Noises

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Questions & answers about chimney inspections, chimney troubleshooting & chimney repairs.

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Technical Reviewers & References

• InspectAPedia.com^® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
• InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
• Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

CHIMNEY INSPECTION & REPAIR GUIDE

• Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• Thanks to Luke Barnes for suggesting that we add text regarding the hazards of shared chimney flues. USMA - Sept. 2008.
• Arlene Puentes, an ASHI member and a licensed home inspector in Kingston, NY, and has served on ASHI national committees as well as HVASHI Chapter President. Ms. Puentes can be contacted at ap@octoberhome.com
• [4] Steven Bliss served as editorial director and co-publisher of The Journal of Light Construction for 16 years and previously as building technology editor for Progressive Builder and Solar Age magazines. He worked in the building trades as a carpenter and design/build contractor for more than ten years and holds a masters degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Excerpts from his recent book, Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, Wiley (November 18, 2005) ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, appear throughout this website, with permission and courtesy of Wiley & Sons. Best Practices Guide is available from the publisher, J. Wiley & Sons, and also at Amazon.com.
• Roger Hankey is principal of Hankey and Brown home inspectors, Eden Prairie, MN, technical review by Roger Hankey, prior chairman, Standards Committee, American Society of Home Inspectors - ASHI. 952 829-0044 - hankeyandbrown.com
• NFPA 211 - Standards for Chimneys & Fireplaces, NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2006 Edition (older editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
• NFPA #211-3.1 1988 - Specific to chimneys, fireplaces, vents and solid fuel burning appliances.
• NFPA # 54-7.1 1992 - Specific to venting of equipment with fan-assisted combustion systems.
• GAMA - Gas Appliance Manufacturers' Association has prepared venting tables for Category I draft hood equipped central furnaces as well as fan-assisted combustion system central furnaces.
• National Fuel Gas Code, an American National Standard, 4th ed. 1988 (newer edition is available) Secretariats, American Gas Association (AGA), 1515 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA22209, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Batterymarch Park, Quincy MA 02269. ANSI Z223.1-1988 - NFPA 54-1988. WARNING: be sure to check clearances and other safety guidelines in the latest edition of these standards.
• Fire Inspector Guidebook, A Correlation of Fire Safety Requirements Contained in the 1987 BOCA National Codes, (newer edition available), Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA), Country Club HIlls, IL 60478 312-799-2300 4th ed. Note: this document is reissued every four years. Be sure to obtain the latest edition.
• Uniform Mechanical Code - UMC 1991, Sec 913 (a.) Masonry Chimneys, refers to Chapters 23, 29, and 37 of the Building Code.
• New York 1984 Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, Article 10, Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Requirements
• New York 1979 Uniform Fire Prevention & Building Code, The "requirement" for 8" of solid masonry OR for use of a flue liner was listed in the One and Two Family Dwelling Code for New York, in 1979, in Chapter 9, Chimneys and Fireplaces, New York 1979 Building and Fire Prevention Code:
• "Top Ten Chimney (and related) Problems Encountered by One Chimney Sweep," Hudson Valley ASHI education seminar, 3 January 2000, contributed by Bob Hansen, ASHI
• Chimney Inspection Checklist, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
• "Rooftop View Turns to Darkness," Martine Costello, Josh Kovner, New Haven Register, 12 May 1992 p. 11: Catherine Murphy was sunning on a building roof when a chimney collapsed; she fell into and was trapped inside the chimney until rescued by emergency workers.
• "Chimneys and Vents," Mark J. Reinmiller, P.E., ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 1 No. 2 July 1991 p. 34-38.
• "Chimney Inspection Procedures & Codes," Donald V. Cohen was to be published in the first volume of the 1994 ASHI Technical Journal by D. Friedman, then editor/publisher of that publication. The production of the ASHI Technical Journal and future editions was cancelled by ASHI President Patrick Porzio. Some of the content of Mr. Cohen's original submission has been included in this more complete chimney inspection article: InspectAPedia.com/chimneys/Chimney_Inspection.htm. Copies of earlier editions of the ASHI Technical Journal are available from ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• Natural Gas Weekly Update: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/ngw/ngupdate.asp Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government
• US Energy Administration: Electrical Energy Costs http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelelectric.html

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
• Fireplace & Chimney Design, Repair Books - Fireplaces, Chimneys: design, repair
• Fireplace & Chimney Inspection Books - Inspecting and diagnosing chimney problems, fireplace problems, chimney & fireplace standards
• Ceramic Roofware, Hans Van Lemmen, Shire Library, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-0747805694 - Brick chimneys, chimney-pots and roof and ridge tiles have been a feature of the roofs of a wide range of buildings since the late Middle Ages. In the first instance this ceramic roofware was functional - to make the roof weatherproof and to provide an outlet for smoke - but it could also be very decorative.
  The practical and ornamental aspects of ceramic roofware can still be seen throughout Britain, particularly on buildings of the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Not only do these often have ornate chimneys and roof tiles but they may also feature ornamental sculptures or highly decorative gable ends. This book charts the history of ceramic roofware from the Middle Ages to the present day, highlighting both practical and decorative applications, and giving information about manufacturers and on the styles and techniques of production and decoration.
  Hans van Lemmen is an established author on the history of tiles and has lectured on the subject in Britain and elsewhere. He is founder member and presently publications editor of the British Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society. Available at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
• Chimney Inspection Checklist, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
• Chimney & Stack Inspection Guidelines, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2003 - These guidelines address the inspection of chimneys and stacks. Each guideline assists owners in determining what level of inspection is appropriate to a particular chimney and provides common criteria so that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the scope of the inspection and the end product required. Each chimney or stack is a unique structure, subject to both aggressive operating and natural environments, and degradation over time. Such degradation may be managed via a prudent inspection program followed by maintenance work on any equipment or structure determined to be in need of attention. Sample inspection report specifications, sample field inspection data forms, and an example of a developed plan of a concrete chimney are included in the guidelines. This book provides a valuable guidance tool for chimney and stack inspections and also offers a set of references for these particular inspections.
• Fireplaces, a Practical Design Guide, Jane Gitlin
• Fireplaces, Friend or Foe, Robert D. Mayo
• NFPA 211 - Standards for Chimneys & Fireplaces, NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2006 Edition (older editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
• Principles of Home Inspection: Chimneys & Wood Heating (Principles of Home Inspection), Carson Dunlop

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Technical Reviewers & References

Particular thanks are due to experts and also consumers who read these articles and suggest corrections, changes, and additions to the material. Content suggestions, technical corrections and content critique are invited for any of the content at our website.

• InspectAPedia.com^® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
• Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission to use illustrations from their publication, The Illustrated Home which illustrates construction details and building components. Carson Dunlop provides home inspection education including the ASHI-adopted Home Inspection Training Program (home study course), publications such as the Home Reference Book, report writing materials including the Horizon report writer, and home inspection services. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• Thanks to Luke Barnes for suggesting that we add text regarding the hazards of shared chimney flues. USMA - Sept. 2008.
• Arlene Puentes, an ASHI member and a licensed home inspector in Kingston, NY, and has served on ASHI national committees as well as HVASHI Chapter President. Ms. Puentes can be contacted at ap@octoberhome.com
• Roger Hankey is principal of Hankey and Brown home inspectors, Eden Prairie, MN, technical review by Roger Hankey, prior chairman, Standards Committee, American Society of Home Inspectors - ASHI. 952 829-0044 - hankeyandbrown.com
• Residential Masonry Fireplace and Chimney Handbook, James E. Amrhein, S.E., MIA, Masonry Institute of America, 2d. Ed., 1995, ISBN 0-940116-29-4. The MIA is in Los Angeles, CA 213-388-0472
• NFPA 211 - Standards for Chimneys & Fireplaces, NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2006 Edition (older editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
• NFPA #211-3.1 1988 - Specific to chimneys, fireplaces, vents and solid fuel burning appliances.
• NFPA # 54-7.1 1992 - Specific to venting of equipment with fan-assisted combustion systems.
• GAMA - Gas Appliance Manufacturers' Association has prepared venting tables for Category I draft hood equipped central furnaces as well as fan-assisted combustion system central furnaces.
• National Fuel Gas Code, an American National Standard, 4th ed. 1988 (newer edition is available) Secretariats, American Gas Association (AGA), 1515 Wilson Blvd., Arlington VA22209, and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Batterymarch Park, Quincy MA 02269. ANSI Z223.1-1988 - NFPA 54-1988. WARNING: be sure to check clearances and other safety guidelines in the latest edition of these standards.
• Fire Inspector Guidebook, A Correlation of Fire Safety Requirements Contained in the 1987 BOCA National Codes, (newer edition available), Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc. (BOCA), Country Club HIlls, IL 60478 312-799-2300 4th ed. Note: this document is reissued every four years. Be sure to obtain the latest edition.
• Uniform Mechanical Code - UMC 1991, Sec 913 (a.) Masonry Chimneys, refers to Chapters 23, 29, and 37 of the Building Code.
• New York 1984 Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, Article 10, Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Requirements
• New York 1979 Uniform Fire Prevention & Building Code, The "requirement" for 8" of solid masonry OR for use of a flue liner was listed in the One and Two Family Dwelling Code for New York, in 1979, in Chapter 9, Chimneys and Fireplaces, New York 1979 Building and Fire Prevention Code:
• "Top Ten Chimney (and related) Problems Encountered by One Chimney Sweep," Hudson Valley ASHI education seminar, 3 January 2000, contributed by Bob Hansen, ASHI
• Chimney Inspection Checklist, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
• "Rooftop View Turns to Darkness," Martine Costello, Josh Kovner, New Haven Register, 12 May 1992 p. 11: Catherine Murphy was sunning on a building roof when a chimney collapsed; she fell into and was trapped inside the chimney until rescued by emergency workers.
• "Chimneys and Vents," Mark J. Reinmiller, P.E., ASHI Technical Journal, Vol. 1 No. 2 July 1991 p. 34-38.
• "Chimney Inspection Procedures & Codes," Donald V. Cohen was to be published in the first volume of the 1994 ASHI Technical Journal by D. Friedman, then editor/publisher of that publication. The production of the ASHI Technical Journal and future editions was cancelled by ASHI President Patrick Porzio. Some of the content of Mr. Cohen's original submission has been included in this more complete chimney inspection article: InspectAPedia.com/chimneys/Chimney_Inspection.htm. Copies of earlier editions of the ASHI Technical Journal are available from ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
• Natural Gas Weekly Update: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/ngw/ngupdate.asp Official Energy Statistics from the U.S. Government
• US Energy Administration: Electrical Energy Costs http://www.eia.doe.gov/fuelelectric.html

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
• Fireplace & Chimney Design, Repair Books - Fireplaces, Chimneys: design, repair
• Fireplace & Chimney Inspection Books - Inspecting and diagnosing chimney problems, fireplace problems, chimney & fireplace standards
• Ceramic Roofware, Hans Van Lemmen, Shire Library, 2008, ISBN-13: 978-0747805694 - Brick chimneys, chimney-pots and roof and ridge tiles have been a feature of the roofs of a wide range of buildings since the late Middle Ages. In the first instance this ceramic roofware was functional - to make the roof weatherproof and to provide an outlet for smoke - but it could also be very decorative.
  The practical and ornamental aspects of ceramic roofware can still be seen throughout Britain, particularly on buildings of the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Not only do these often have ornate chimneys and roof tiles but they may also feature ornamental sculptures or highly decorative gable ends. This book charts the history of ceramic roofware from the Middle Ages to the present day, highlighting both practical and decorative applications, and giving information about manufacturers and on the styles and techniques of production and decoration.
  Hans van Lemmen is an established author on the history of tiles and has lectured on the subject in Britain and elsewhere. He is founder member and presently publications editor of the British Tiles and Architectural Ceramics Society. Available at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
• Chimney Inspection Checklist, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
• Chimney & Stack Inspection Guidelines, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2003 - These guidelines address the inspection of chimneys and stacks. Each guideline assists owners in determining what level of inspection is appropriate to a particular chimney and provides common criteria so that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the scope of the inspection and the end product required. Each chimney or stack is a unique structure, subject to both aggressive operating and natural environments, and degradation over time. Such degradation may be managed via a prudent inspection program followed by maintenance work on any equipment or structure determined to be in need of attention. Sample inspection report specifications, sample field inspection data forms, and an example of a developed plan of a concrete chimney are included in the guidelines. This book provides a valuable guidance tool for chimney and stack inspections and also offers a set of references for these particular inspections.
• Fireplaces, a Practical Design Guide, Jane Gitlin
• Fireplaces, Friend or Foe, Robert D. Mayo
• NFPA 211 - Standards for Chimneys & Fireplaces, NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, 2006 Edition (older editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
• Principles of Home Inspection: Chimneys & Wood Heating (Principles of Home Inspection), Carson Dunlop
• U.S. vs. Canadian Unlined Masonry Chimney Flue Requirements & Case Study
• NFPA 211 - 3-1.10 - Relining guide for chimneys
• NFPA 211 - 3-2 - Construction of Masonry Chimneys
• NFPA 211 - 3-3 - Termination Height for chimneys
• NFPA 211 - 3-4 - Clearance from Combustible Material
• NFPA 54 - 7-1 - Venting of Equipment into chimneys
• Brick Institute of America - Flashing Chimneys
  Brick Institute of America - Proper Chimney Crowns
  Brick Institute of America - Moisture Resistance of Brick
• American Gas Association - New Vent Sizing Tables
• Chimney Safety Institute of America - Chimney Fires: Causes, Effects, Evaluation
• National Chimney Sweep Guild - Yellow Pages of Suppliers
• ...