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This article describes how to select, install, and inspect Class-A insulated metal chimneys such as the Insulated Double Wall MetalBestos™ manufactured metal chimney, also called a "zero clearance" chimney.

These articles on chimneys and chimney safety provide 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. As with most inspection and safety topics, this material may be incomplete.

© 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.

Class A Chimneys - Insulated Double Wall MetalBestos™ type

Improper metal chimney installation: As you can see from our photo ( above left), even this superb product can be reduced to shambles when installed by an idiot. The chimney in this photo was not supported, is falling and is unsafe. see Chimney Collapse Hazards & Chimney Support & Bracing Requirements.

This unfortunate collapsing Class-A type metal chimney was the replacement for the abandoned masonry chimney under the corrugated metal roof we show at Chimneys Abandoned Outdoors and that whose remains we showed at Chimneys Abandoned Indoors. It looks as if more than one generation of inexpert chimney installers worked in Dover, NY.

Our photo at above right shows an end view of a section of Metalbestos SS All Fuel Chimney™. The fiberglass insulation is not part of the product and was just left stuffed in that opening.

Carson Dunlop's sketch at left shows a Class "A" chimney, of which our photos are an example. Metalbestos™ type chimneys are available in different diameters, lengths, and with elbows, caps, and supporting base kits. These chimneys are used often to vent oil fired heating equipment as well as woodstoves and zero-clearance or built-in fireplaces. Our photograph at above left shows an installation leaving the insulated metal chimney exposed on the home exterior. While these insulated chimneys may be rated for zero clearance from combustibles by the manufacturer, many building codes require at least a one-inch clearance between the chimney and any combustible materials. Our photo below shows a wood-framed chimney chase that might enclose an insulated metal chimney or a Type-B Gas vent chimney.

Class A Chimney Height Requirements

More complete details about chimney height requirements on buildings including Class A Chimneys is at CHIMNEY HEIGHT & CLEARANCE CODE

Class A Chimney Fire Clearance Details

More complete details about Class-A chimney fire clearances indoors can be read at Fire Clearances for Metal Chimneys

Should an Insulated or "Air Cooled" Metal Chimney Be Replaced After a Chimney Fire has Occurred?

Question: What Kind of Inspection Is Required After a Metal Chimney Fire?

I was looking for information on chimney fires, specifically, on how to inspect double wall pipe after such an event. The outside of the outer pipe had paper stickers on it that were not burnt or discolored, so I am assuming the pipe did its job. However the top of the chimney run did catch on fire, presumably from the heat generated from the chimney fire. Anyway, I was looking for a category on how to inspect double wall pipe after a fire. - K.M.

Reply: Inspect for visible flue damage, color changes, movement, cracks; but to be safe: in our opinion you should replace the chimney

After a chimney fire (such as from igniting creosote in a metal flue), a competent onsite chimney inspection by an expert usually finds additional clues that help accurately diagnose a problem. That said, we add the following opinion:

In sum: in our opinion after a chimney fire in an insulated metal chimney or an air-insulated metal chimney the chimney should be replaced entirely in order to be safe and to assure that maximum fire protection for the building is maintained. In addition you should inspect for heat or fire damage to surrounding building components. Details follow.

Some chimney repair companies and building codes cite that "metal chimneys must be inspected after a fire for possible need for replacement". We speculate that the chimney inspector will look for deformed, cracked, metal components, movement, color changes in the stainless steel, or signs of overheating or damage to surrounding building components.

If the metal chimney liner and metal exterior of a multi-wall insulated metal chimney are undamaged, one might think that the internal chimney insulation of a multi-wall insulated metal chimney or flue was intact. But that may not be true. In addition there may be subtle damage to surrounding building components such as pyrolosis (discussed at Fire stopping at Chimney Passage Through Floors) that could lower the combustion point and increase the risk of a future fire in nearby wood materials. Some sources point out that

Stainless Steel turns blue at 900 degrees causing the chemical makeup of chromium carbide to migrate. After this, the stainless steel will rust and cause corrosion. Stainless Steel really should be replaced after chimney fires over 900 degrees.

We have observed steel flues that turned blue and also black after a fire.

A "be safe" approach requires that insulated chimneys are replaced after a fire.

We believe that this makes sense because because during a chimney fire the internal temperatures can be extremely high and thus can damage the flue in both obvious and less obvious ways that may not be visible and no one wants to take a chance.

Furthermore, the "after 900 degrees" rule is impractical: - who is actually measuring chimney temperature during a fire? The 900 degF number in our OPINION is not helpful.

Most chimney sources point out that it's common for a chimney fire to reach 2000 degF! Who wants to risk an unsafe flue after a fire when a new fire could still occur and could meet less protection.

A similar example is with earthquake-resistant construction: the construction is designed to keep the building from collapsing and killing the occupants, but it is not expected to prevent any damage whatsoever to the building. So after a quake repairs are going to be needed.

CONTACT us with suggestions for this topic.

Chimney Safety References:

• 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:

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• 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 DIAGNOSIS REPAIR

• 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
• 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
• Thanks to reader - K.M. for discussing chimey inspection after a fire - January 2011
• Web search 01/07/2010, http://www.chimneysaversonline.com/Cast_In_Place_Lining_vs._Stainless_Steel_Lining.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)
• 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
• Principles of Home Inspection: Chimneys & Wood Heating (Principles of Home Inspection), Carson Dunlop
• 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
• ...