Who to hire to remove pre-fab fireplace

xSpecBx · Jul 22, 2015

I currently have a pre-fab fireplace with a Quadrafire Classic Bay 1200i installed. I would like to remove the prefab and make the insert a built-in. Any thoughts on who would be the right person to hire to do something like this?

I currently have a 4" SS liner running the length of the pre-fab chimney pipe and my thought would be to leave all this as-is, remove the pre-fab (and support the chimney pipe somehow) and build a cement board enclosure. I just don't know who the right person or persons to hire to do this would be. I know I will need to change the framing that is currently there because the opening is too large. My biggest concern is that I have my TV mounted about the fireplace so making sure there is a strong structure there is important so that the whole thing doesn't collapse.

Any thoughts?

I have pictures of my current setup as my profile picture. I can post more if that would help.

DAKSY · Jul 22, 2015

If you check your install manual, you will find that you cannot just build a concrete board enclosure. There is a shroud specifically made for that type of installation. You will also find your venting requirements when installing the insert as a built-in. I believe your liner & the ZC venting will have to be removed & you will have to run 4" Type L pellet vent to the cap. Otherwise your installation will not pass inspection, won't be safe & any resultant damage from a malfunction may void your insurance policy.

xSpecBx · Jul 22, 2015

I have read the manual. I agree I will need to add the shroud and the top vent adapter.

I do not agree that I need to remove the prefab chimney. I currently have a 4" SS liner running from the stove, through the 8" prefab chimney pipe to the chimney cap. Other than supporting the bottom of the pipe I have no reason to believe that the pipe needs to come out.

For venting, the only venting is the OAK for the fireplace which I was hoping to be able to use for the stove. I do not have any reason to believe i cant use the existing piping.

DAKSY · Jul 23, 2015

xSpecBx said:
I do not agree that I need to remove the prefab chimney. I currently have a 4" SS liner running from the stove, through the 8" prefab chimney pipe to the chimney cap. Other than supporting the bottom of the pipe I have no reason to believe that the pipe needs to come out.

.

You will have to chat with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (i.e. your local fire code/building inspector).
HE is the one who will have to make the call on your venting. The ZC vent was intended to be used with the
existing firebox, & other fire boxes from the same manufacturer. It is not approved for what you want
to do & without approval it doesn't matter that you THINK it will work.
You are talking about FIRE in your HOME. Do it RIGHT or don't do it at all.

xSpecBx · Jul 23, 2015

My housing authority (aka the town inspector) told me that the stove just needs to be installed per the installation manual. I will have to look at the manual more closely.

On a side note, might be more helpful if you turn down the condescending attitude. I'm not looking to cut corners (or burn down my house), just stating how I interpret the installation manual which I have read many times. I'm not some cowboy who thinks the people at quadrafire don't know what they're talking about.

Thank you for the advice though. I will look into if the chimney needs to be removed further.

DAKSY · Jul 23, 2015

Not trying to be condescending, just trying to make you see that installations of solid fuel products are required to be done per the tested & approved procedures.
Just because you & I think variations to those procedures will be OK doesn't make it so.. A mistake in this business can result in injury or death.
The 4" pellet liner has a specified clearance to combustibles (CtC) & that clearance is greater than the 2" CtC of the ZC vent,
so your existing install may already have safety issues.
If you compromise the integrity of the structure containing your present install, you will be making it LESS safe.

smwilliamson · Jul 23, 2015

So heres where this gets a bit sticky. There is no listing test that allows for a pellet insert to be installed into a zero clearance fireplace. To do it righto and please a stickler AJH you'd have to remove the whole unit and start over again. For an inspector less concerned, well, just chuck it in there and drop a liner through the class A. HHT may have examples of specific products that can be installed in this manner but AFAIK there is not a certified listing for this type of install. I've done a few of these and basically went at this way, don't alert the AJH by having a conversation about the issue, install it like a masonry install staying withing the entire shell and vent configuration knowing that if the AJH picks up on it it may have to be reinstalled. Just make sure what ever you put in IS zero clearance approved. Who to hire? Hmmm someone who has done it before and is NFI certified. Dealer should be able to point tou in the right direction.

You know I just read your post again. If you need to hire someone, get a reputable handyman carpenter to do the built in to the Quad spec. Not sure where you live so not sure what licenses are required in her neck of the woods. If you are capable of building a small deck you could pull it off yourself.

Edit again....ah yer in Ledyard. I cannot openly say I will do it for you but I will say I do have some customers around that way I may be able to stop in and give you a pointer or two when I'm in the area. It's hard to say who to call and what to do without really seeing what's up. The folks at Prestons Trading Post could float you a couple names of contractors too.

xSpecBx · Jul 23, 2015

When you say ZC vent i assume you are referring to the metalnpipe chimney. I will have to look at the install manual for the original chimney, but i believe it is an 8" metal pipe, just not sure what the required clearance on it was.

In regards to the xurrent install, i spoke at length with my local authority before doing anything and researched it myself. The only requirement they had was that it was installed per the quadrafire manual which allows for installation into a prefab. I met all the requirements of the manual and the inspector signed off on it

I understand installation into a prefab is somewhat of a hot button issue here with people with differing opinions. Im just trying to educate myself before i go to far.

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Who to hire to remove pre-fab fireplace

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