Chimney Sizing Questions

[ashiemke]

How high does my chimney need to be to be effective? Here's the background:

I just bought an insert, a QuadraFire 2100i, that I'm installing into a prefab metal fireplace in my upstairs. The existing chimney is only about 13' from the top of the stove to the cap. Is that high enough?

The existing chimney is 9" or so (hard to measure from the bottom, need to climb up on the roof), and is clear of the peak of the roof (the 10'-2' rule), but I'm worried about the total height. I live at about 8500ft in the CO mountains, and I've heard you need a longer chimney the higher up you go, but I can't find any recommendations on how high I should make it.

If I do need to extend the chimney, how would I go about that? I was planning on running a flexible stainless liner down, since the flue of my stove is 6". Is there an easy way to extend off of the liner, or is it going to be easier to run rigid pipe down and extend off of that? How do I secure the new chimney when it exits the old? It gets windy up there, I'd be nervous to have something sticking up high without some bracing.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[pen]

Before you go too far, are you certain the the prefab you have allows for this stove to be installed inside of it? I don't mean to be a "Debbie Downer" but I'd hate to see you tear things up and have it be an unsafe / unapproved install.

Also, depending on where you purchase the liner from, I have seen some that have an adapter to switching from liner to class A pipe. If you do need more height, that might be the way to go. Otherwise, you may need to find another piece of pipe for whatever that pre-fab used, and use an adapter to extend the liner to the top of that.

pen

 

[bholler]

I have to say the same thing i say every time inserts in prefabs come up. The only way it passes code is if the manufacturers of the prefab fireplace the insert the prefab chimney and the liner all say it is ok to combine the different products. If not you are not following manufacturers instructions and therefore not to code. Not to mention the possible safety problems that could arise

 

[fossil]

I'd strongly suggest getting a professional involved in this particular situation. Rick

 

[begreen]

Welcome. The chimney is too short, especially for that high altitude. You would want about 20ft of 6" pipe. Most likely the stove will disappoint.

What room is the ZC fireplace located in? Is there an option to locate a stove downstairs?

 

[ashiemke]

Before you go too far, are you certain the the prefab you have allows for this stove to be installed inside of it? I don't mean to be a "Debbie Downer" but I'd hate to see you tear things up and have it be an unsafe / unapproved install.

Also, depending on where you purchase the liner from, I have seen some that have an adapter to switching from liner to class A pipe. If you do need more height, that might be the way to go. Otherwise, you may need to find another piece of pipe for whatever that pre-fab used, and use an adapter to extend the liner to the top of that.

pen

The insert is approved for install in zero clearance fireplaces. I can't find any documentation on the fireplace, so I'm not sure on that. The manual for the stove specifies that I use UL 1777 listed liner within the chimney for the fireplace (it's specified as any other fireplace not meeting a list of regulations, which I assume I don't). As best I can tell, that gives me the OK to install as such. The fire marshal in my area has given approval for that plan, so I think I'm good to go.

I did a lot of research before I got to this point, and I think that I'm clear as far as the actual install. I just can't find any resources on the actual height of the chimney.

 

[ashiemke]

Welcome. The chimney is too short, especially for that high altitude. You would want about 20ft of 6" pipe. Most likely the stove will disappoint.

What room is the ZC fireplace located in? Is there an option to locate a stove downstairs?

Thanks. The stove is in the living room, the house is a split level with a walkout basement. I do plan to install another stove downstairs in the basement, there is some double walled stove pipe that runs up the side of the house, not connected to anything at the moment.. I just moved in here, and I'm working to get the upstairs redone in time for winter while we're living in the basement. Next winter I'll have a more significant stove that will be able to heat the whole house. The one upstairs is just for supplemental heat, and to look nice

Is there any advantage to getting an insulated liner? Would it reduce the height necessary? It looks like it will cost about 20% more to get the insulated, just wondering if having essentially a double-walled pipe would negate the need for insulation or if it's worth it.

Thanks again.

 

[bholler]

If the fire marshal is acctually willing to put pen to paper and sign off on it that would probably qualify as the local authority with jurisdiction and could over ride code. But i dont see why he would do that if he cant even see the instructions for the fireplace because many of them very clearly say do not put inserts in. What is the brand and model fp? And have you checked with your insurance?