Flue size and options

[kgreenburg]

I have an older home (built in the 30s) with three fireplaces - one has always been wood-burning, but the other two are bedroom fireplaces with gas lines and small flues (3" in diameter - round). I believe these would have been used with the old gas ceramic tile inserts.

I am considering my options for adding gas logs to these fireplaces - would the 3" be adequate for a vented variety or should I seal the opening and go with a ventless set? I have been searching online for guidance about the minimums, but I am not getting anywhere. I want to be safe. I guess another option would be to go with a vintage insert with a vent out the back like it originally had.

Thanks,

Kirt

 

[webbie]

You should only use the vent free style - but, you can use them as vented logs ago, and with that size of a flue you will get quite a bit of heat out into the room and still vent a lot of the excess CO2.

 

[jtp10181]

Normally bedrooms are not allowed to have B-Vented gas fireplaces, or gas logs, or wood burners for that matter. Unless they meet a minimum air volume requirement as listed in NFPA 54 I believe.

I'm confused as to what you currently have. Sounds like maybe a B-Vent gas fireplace with the 3" vent? Are the bedroom units wood burning? Normally you can only install a Gas Log into a fully functioning legal wood burning fireplace, or a prefab ventless box (designed to have ventfree log installed).

 

[webbie]

Oh, I did not catch the bedroom thing with my speed reading! jtp is correct.

jtp, I think he has small masonry fireplaces with 3" masonry flues. I have seen old ones like this with little ceramic gas burners in them.

I think there are special vent free sets with 10,000 BTU that are listed for a bedroom, but I would hesitate to personally recommend that solution. The 3" flue really does not leave many options. You should contact the Dukes who specialize in tiny fireplaces and also sell these things direct.

http://www.gascoals.net/