InspectAPedia®   -   Search InspectApedia

Abandoned chimney clues outside (C) Daniel FriedmanHow to spot Abandoned Chimneys from Outside

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about how to spot & assess safety hazards where chimneys have been abandoned and partly removed from buildings

Abandoned chimneys, detection from outside the building:

This article describes visual clues that you can find on the building exterior and that can indicate the current or previous presence of abandoned chimneys and unsafe three-sided chimneys at a building.

Notice that newer metal corrugated roofing patch at the right end of the metal roof in our photograph at the top of this page.

If outside the building you see roofing details such as shown in our photo, you should be alert for an incompletely removed abandoned chimney indoors.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

How to spot Abandoned Chimneys on Buildings - What are the Dangers?

Chimney collapse during Northridge Earthquake (C) Daniel Friedman at Inspectapedia.comDefinition of abandoned chimney:

Any chimney of any material (masonry, metal, transite pipe, other) that is no longer in use (or should not be in use) but has been only partially removed from a building.

Abandoned chimneys in buildings may be unsafe, risking collapse, falling masonry, water and air leaks, fire passage, or worse, sometimes one may even be connected to a stove or fireplace, risking setting the building on fire.

Photo: "abandoned" chimney remains have been placed along the street for collection as refuse following the 1994 Northridge earthquake. (Photo by the author, Daniel Friedman).

While your abandoned chimney starts outside, remain alert for signs of an abandoned chimney as you inspect the inside of a building too.

Check the attic, the intermediate floors, and the basement for the remains of the chimney - it may have left a fire spread risk through the building or other hazards.

See details about how to find abandoned chimneys and what the hazards and repairs are

at ABANDONED CHIMNEYS.

Hazards From Abandoned Chimneys or Flues

Most-likely found on older homes, a partially-removed abandoned chimney leaves these problems and hazards in the building:

Collapsing brick chimney top - Brooklyn NY (C) Daniel Friedman

In cities and on larger multi-family buildings we often find old, single-wythe brick chimneys (photo at left) which have been abandoned but which continue to serve as an air and water pathway through the building.

If this Brooklyn, NY chimney were still in use we would be very worried about its safety.

The chimney top is collapsing, risking a dangerously blocked flue, carbon monoxide gas poisoning, as well as risking dropping a brick onto a passerby.

Chimneys of this size are large enough that a person could fall into and become trapped in the structure, as happened to Catherine Murphy as reported in


...

Continue reading at BRACKET CHIMNEY COLLAPSE & FIRE RISKS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

Suggested citation for this web page

ABANDONED CHIMNEYS, OUTDOORS at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.


Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to CHIMNEYS & FLUES

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Search the InspectApedia website

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.

Comment Form is loading comments...

IF above you see "Comment Form is loading comments..." then COMMENT BOX - countable.ca / bawkbox.com IS NOT WORKING.

In any case you are welcome to send an email directly to us at InspectApedia.com at editor@inspectApedia.com

We'll reply to you directly. Please help us help you by noting, in your email, the URL of the InspectApedia page where you wanted to comment.

Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.

  • Thanks to Luke Barnes for suggesting that we add text regarding the hazards of shared chimney flues. USMA - Sept. 2008.
  • Arlene Puentes [Website: www.octoberhome.com ] , 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
  • Chimney Building Codes and Chimney, Flue, and Appliance Venting Standards 
    • NFPA 211: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, (2024) at the NFPA Bookstore, (Older NFPA 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, VENTING TABLES, CATGORY I CENTRAL FURNACES [PDF] (1990 & 2000) Gas Appliance Manufacturers' Association,, includes also fan-assisted combustion system central furnaces.

      SPECIAL METAL-FAB UPDATE AS OF MARCH 2000 The venting tables within this booklet have now been included in the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1-1999). That code may also be used to size venting systems for drafthood equipped central furnaces or for fan-assisted combustion system central furnaces.

      This booklet contains new venting tables designed specifically for use with Category I central furnaces.

      These tables are unique, in that, industry wide venting tables now exist for fan-assisted combustion system central furnaces. Venting tables for these types of appliances are not contained in the National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1-1988).

      All requirements contained in this booklet apply to both Category I drafthood equipped central furnaces as well as fan-assisted combustion system central furnaces. At no time should a venting system for a listed Category II, III, or IV central furnace be sized with these tables.

      The National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1-1988) may also be used to size venting systems for drafthood equipped central furnaces.

      However, at this time, the National Fuel Gas Code does not include alternate sizing methods for fan-assisted combustion systems.

      Therefore, until engineering data is developed to allow alternate sizing methods for Category I fanassisted central furnaces, the enclosed venting tables must be used for fan-assisted combustion system central furnaces.

      These tables apply to venting single appliances and common venting multiple appliances in both metal and masonry chimneys.
    • 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.
    • ICC, Fire Inspector Guide Based on the 2021 International Fire Code [ICC Digital Subscription] International Code Council
    • 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, but the production of the ASHI Technical Journal 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:

    CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Chimney Inspection Checklist, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
  • Chimney & Stack Inspection Guidelines, American Society of Civil Engineers, [Book] 2003 ISBN: 9780784475423

    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: Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel-Burning Appliances, (2024) at the NFPA Bookstore, (Older NFPA editions and standards are found at the same bookstore)
  • Principles of Home Inspection: Chimneys & Wood Heating, in (Principles of Home Inspection), Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, Ontario
  • 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 [Website] 1255 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy Ankeny, Iowa 50023 USA, Tel: +1 (317) 837-1500 Email: office@ncsg.org NCSG certifies chimney sweep (cleaning) professionals.
  • In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested

    CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.

ADVERTISEMENT