Can i put a block of plate in a ZC unit?

[BurningBrutus]

Hi everybody, getting ready to pull out my insert and put a block of plate in, but it never crossed my mind that my insert is in a zc unit, can i still put one in there since its not a standard brick fireplace? is there even room for one?

 

[Grisu]

Not quite sure if I understand your question or maybe I am not up-to-date regarding your plans. Did you not want to remove the insert including the brickwork and make it an alcove to put a BK King in there? An alcove would have a ceiling like the rest of the room and a chimney that goes through it. A block-off plate is only needed if you have a masonry chimney and a liner that is smaller in diameter.

 

[begreen]

Good question. This is a judgement call, but it is probably less necessary with a ZC that has a 6" liner up a 8 or 10" pipe. Perhaps stuffing a bit of Roxul around the liner wouldn't hurt. The ZC shell is already an protected envelope so it is not like you have cold masonry sucking the heat to outdoors.

 

[BurningBrutus]

Not quite sure if I understand your question or maybe I am not up-to-date regarding your plans. Did you not want to remove the insert including the brickwork and make it an alcove to put a BK King in there? An alcove would have a ceiling like the rest of the room and a chimney that goes through it. A block-off plate is only needed if you have a masonry chimney and a liner that is smaller in diameter.

Hi Grisu, sorry for the confusion, i know i have been throwing alot of stuff out there recently on my plans. So i came to the decision to keep my PE Super insert until my hot water tank dies. Unfortunately my hot water tank flue pipe goes up my chimney, so a tear out would mean to replace my hot water tank with a direct vent or a instant on, i will put a instant on once the tank craps out, then i will tear apart the fireplace and put a alcove in. I just dont want to replace the hot water tank early if not needed. So, i wanted to pull the Super insert out and put a block off plate in and then put insert back in. But, the insert is sitting in a ZC unit, so am i able to put one (block of plate) in there? i believe its all metal in there, is there even enough room up there to put one in? i have not looked up there before the insert was placed in, so im a little unsure if this can be done. I guess what im also trying to say is i dont know how high the block off plate will go, will i be screwing it into the "frame" of the zc unit up in there or???

 

[BurningBrutus]

Good question. This is a judgement call, but it is probably less necessary with a ZC that has a 6" liner up a 8 or 10" pipe. Perhaps stuffing a bit of Roxul around the liner wouldn't hurt. The ZC shell is already an protected envelope so it is not like you have cold masonry sucking the heat to outdoors.

good point, so, if i just shove some roxul up there how do i keep it from falling down? im worried about it falling on top of my unit and getting hot and starting a fire, i know it goes up too 2000 degrees, but i rather not have it sit on top of it, if you know what im saying

 

[BurningBrutus]

oh, by the way, i have one of those offset boxes on top of my unit as well.

 

[Grisu]

Thanks for the clarification. I think BeGreen has to most feasible solution. Just stuff some Roxul around the liner and that should block the heat well enough. In any case, you don't have a huge hole there like a masonry chimney with a big damper opening. My guess is you will not see a whole lot of difference either way but the Roxul certainly won't hurt.

 

[Grisu]

good point, so, if i just shove some roxul up there how do i keep it from falling down? im worried about it falling on top of my unit and getting hot and starting a fire, i know it goes up too 2000 degrees, but i rather not have it sit on top of it, if you know what im saying

At the time the Roxul starts melting your insert is already a puddle of molten steel. Just stuff it in pretty tight and it should stay in place. It is not that your chimney or liner are moving around.

 

[BurningBrutus]

Thanks guys, this board is the best

 

[begreen]

good point, so, if i just shove some roxul up there how do i keep it from falling down? im worried about it falling on top of my unit and getting hot and starting a fire, i know it goes up too 2000 degrees, but i rather not have it sit on top of it, if you know what im saying

Roxul is non combustible. If your insert top gets anywhere near 2000 degrees (it won't) you will have much greater problems to deal with. I would simply pack it around the liner. It won't fall out if there is only a 1-2" gap being filled.