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Single-Wall Metal Vents and Chimneys: Inspection, Diagnosis, Cleaning & Repairs
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Single wall metal chimneys:
This article describes Single-Wall Metal Vents and Chimneys, their Inspection, Diagnosis, Cleaning & Repairs.
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Single-Wall Metal Vents and Chimneys
The single wall metal fireplace chimney shown at page top and shown again at below left was installed in a solid masonry fireplace in the 1960's.
It can no longer be safely used because of the new construction in the left of the photo. As you can see at below right, a building addition constructed close to the original single wall metal chimney has left it too close to the new structure. [Click to enlarge any image]
NFPA 211: single-wall pipe is not allowed for "chimneys" of one- or two-family dwellings, although may be used as connectors, i.e., between the appliance and the chimney, provided it is NOT "galvanized steel pipe" for a solid-fuel-burning appliance connector. NFPA 211:12.4.1.2
This chimney will need to be replaced with a modern insulated flue and extended in height. As long as the fireplace is not used, that corrective measure can be deferred.
The metal chimney shown at left is not a Type B gas vent and may be unsafe. Certainly it should not be in use for venting a heating appliance.
Do not mistake this single-walled vent for a Type-L vent nor for a Type-B vent even though a hasty glance may make it look like one of those.
This vent appears to be single-walled aluminum and it has what looks almost like a coffee can installed as a rain cap.
If the metal chimney we see in this photo is being used to "vent" a water heater it is probably not working and probably lacks adequate draft. The result may be carbon monoxide release in the building.
The very tall single wall metal chimney shown at left is located on a building in Manhattan and was photographed from the Lotus Club. Several stories tall you can see that the chimney is braced about every 12-feet, and is askew, loose, and rusty.
This chimey was so tall I could not photograph the entire structure in one image.
As a single walled chimney in a cold climate venting gas fired equipment, one might question its venting efficacy. In turn, condensation from poor venting might be a factor in that rusting.
Below: a single-walled metal flue extending through the wall of a barn that has been converted to a welding shop and sales facility on Highway 61 north of Duluth, Minnesota.
Single-wall metal pipes used to connect heating appliances to chimneys (metal or masonry) are discussed separately
at Single-Wall Metal Flue Vent Connectors where we provide details about single wall metal flues and their fire clearance requirements.
Single wall metal pipes are also described in our table listing clearances by gas-fired appliance type
at Listed Flue Vent Connectors for Gas Fired Heating Appliances.
Also see Metal Chimney Safety Alert - CPSC Document #5047.
Readers of this section should also be sure to review details
at FLUE VENT CONNECTORS, HEATING EQUIPMENT.
This article series on chimneys, chimney construction, 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.
The remarkable single walled metal chimney shown at below-left was constructed using a "found" hollow aluminum electric lighting pole and is discussed by NHFireBear
Dangerous Modifications to Single Wall Metal Chimneys & Flues, Passing Through the Metal Flue
Above: at this single wall metal chimney installed at a restaurant in Oxaca, Mexico, we noticed that the chimney installer and the handrail installer simply could not find an accord.
Shown below in a closer look, the handrailing passes right through the chimney. Both the handrail and the chimney are unsafe.
For handrailing enthusiasts
...
Continue reading at FIRE CLEARANCES INDOORS or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.
Or see these
Recommended Articles
- CHIMNEY HEIGHT & CLEARANCE CODE
- FIRE CLEARANCES, SINGLE WALL METAL FLUES & VENTS
- FLUE VENT CONNECTORS, HEATING EQUIPMENT
- METAL CHIMNEY CONNECTIONS - home
Suggested citation for this web page
SINGLE WALL METAL VENTS & CHIMNEYS 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
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Citations & References
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
- 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: CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR . 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
- 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
- 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.
- Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The HOME REFERENCE BOOK - the Encyclopedia of Homes and to use illustrations from The ILLUSTRATED HOME .
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.
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