Hooking up the Quadrafire 7100 and heat zone kit

[ymurf]

I hooked the heat zone kit in the basement tonight but never did find any B-Vent pipe to run for the air so I went to lowes and bought some insulated flex pipe. You guys think this will be ok? Need to cut a little more clearance in the floor though. I ran a 6" non insulated pipe through the floor and hooked the flex duct to that..Not sure how hot this pipe will get but maybe I should give it an inch or so clearance with maybe a 6" fire stop? You guys see anything I am doing wrong please let me know.

 

[Village Idiot]

I am curious to know how well the heat zone works. After a lot of agonizing over it, I opted to pass on installing them.

Look at page 60 of the QF7100 install manual, and the suggested minimum clearances for the B-vent are listed. There should be 1" clearance around the duct.

While the insulated flex pipe may work, I am concerned about the code compliance aspect of it. My inspector was pretty thorough making sure the install complied the manufacturer's instructions. He even cut a hole in the drywall above the mantle area to double check the pipe that was closed in prior to inspection.

Then there is the whole insurance thing. Any deviation from the manufacturer's requirements may give them a reason to refuse to insure. Or, perish the thought, if you have a fire (related or unrelated to the flex duct) they may use your not using the specified ducting as grounds to refuse a claim.

I am certain that you are anxious to get everything closed in and finished, but this is a scenario where I would err on the side of caution and source the proper B-vent. You will know that the install was done right and everything should be good.

 

[steelstring]

The folks at Lowe's didn't know what b-vent was when I asked! I agree with Village Idiot. As discussed on the other thread, I would go with b-vent as much as possible and use the metal flex pipe (not the aluminized plastic) where you have to and where you have significant clearance. I don't think I would use the insulated HVAC flex duct, as it has a 3mil plastic interior which is not going to be able to handle the potential heat from a fireplace. It is designed for furnace temps, which are not really that hot. I would be afraid it would degrade over time.

Check your local plumbing supply house for the b-vent. They will have it.

 

[ScotO]

ymurf, I agree with steelstring and VI......I used all metal ducting off of my NZ3000 (which is pretty much the exact same concept you have going here). Also, make sure you have an anti-backdraft damper installed where your zone piple comes out of the stove. I know you are taking the pipe downstairs, but you will get residual heat that will try and lay in the "trap" area of your zone pipe ( the area directly above the stove where your duct bends to go down) and there will be a LOT of heat there.....more than enough to cause problems with a plastic duct liner. Go the extra mile and put metal flex pipe in, at least for the first portion of the install right off of the stove...

 

[ymurf]

Ok guys,I pulled the plastic flex pipe off.Made a phone call to a friend of mine that works at a heat and air conditioner place.Says he can get me B-Vent through his distributor in St Louis.So I will just have to wait a couple days. Ill order it after work tomorrow.Just not worth taking a chance.

 

[ScotO]

Ok guys,I pulled the plastic flex pipe off.Made a phone call to a friend of mine that works at a heat and air conditioner place.Says he can get me B-Vent through his distributor in St Louis.So I will just have to wait a couple days. Ill order it after work tomorrow.Just not worth taking a chance.

Atta boy....you'll thank yourself in the long run.
Keep those pics coming as the project progresses....

 

[ymurf]

You guys think it would be of to use metal flex pipe where it comes out of the fireplace to make the turn down and run the B-Vent from there through the floor?

 

[ScotO]

I would use the metal flex pipe. Go to my fireplace thread so you can see how I did my ducts.

 

[ScotO]

Anything that is touching that stove surround should be non combustible, if for nothing else just to be safe. What does the Quad 7100 manual say in regards to the heat ducting?

 

[steelstring]

The Quad manual only mentions B-vent. I think that the flex is fine to make the turn, then you should go with b-vent, as you are suggesting. Be sure you keep combustables a far away as possible.

 

[ScotO]

You guys have me confused, b-vent is flue pipe for gas appliances, isn't it? I cant understand why you would be using b-vent for ducting heat out of the surround......maybe I missed something?

 

[steelstring]

Yep, it is for venting flue gas. I think it is a bit of overkill myself. The manual states that b-vent is required for the heat zone piping. I complied in my installation, mostly, and used b-vent for everything except in one spot where i needed the flex pipe to make the connection.

I spoke with two installers that use the metal flex pipe for the entire heat zone run. I'm not comfortable with that, due to the potential for high heat and, well, the fact that it is against the manufacturers recommendations!

 

[ScotO]

Yep, it is for venting flue gas. I think it is a bit of overkill myself. The manual states that b-vent is required for the heat zone piping. I complied in my installation, mostly, and used b-vent for everything except in one spot where i needed the flex pipe to make the connection.

I spoke with two installers that use the metal flex pipe for the entire heat zone run. I'm not comfortable with that, due to the potential for high heat and, well, the fact that it is against the manufacturers recommendations!

Well, if the manufacturer calls for it to be used, you have to use it! I agree 100%, because if you were to NOT use it and, God forbid, have a fire, you'd be screwed because the unit would not be up to code...

 

[ymurf]

Thats what my quadrafire manual states. Use B-Vent only..I will order enough to go through the floor with 1" clearance. When I had the heat zone on last night the uninsulated pipe where it went through the floor was hot enough to be uncomfortable to lay your hand on it.

 

[Dairyman]

Keep the pics coming ymurf, looking good.

 

[steelstring]

Thats what my quadrafire manual states. Use B-Vent only..I will order enough to go through the floor with 1" clearance. When I had the heat zone on last night the uninsulated pipe where it went through the floor was hot enough to be uncomfortable to lay your hand on it.

I think that's wise. I hope my heat zone gets that hot when I get the facade on the front of the unit! Keeps us posted on your install. You and I are about at the same stage with our fireplace installs.

 

[ScotO]

I expect pics and full reports from both of ya!!

Keep up the good work, ymurf...do it the right way the first time, and you'll never lose sleep over worrying about the install..

 

[ymurf]

Cant beat that..I went to the heating and air place after work.He had a 5' long B-Vent in 6" that was laying in the back. He gave it to me.Free. I ordered a collar for it to put where it goes through the floor to keep it from getting against the floor. He doesn't install fireplaces and just didn't understand why it needed B-Vent. He just cant see it getting that hot but since it said to use B-Vent I should use it.

 

[ScotO]

That's my favorite price......FREE!!

 

[steelstring]

Free is good!

 

[daleeper]

Peace of mind -

Priceless.

 

[ymurf]

Now this looks better. And safer.

 

[steelstring]

Yep. I like the looks of that much better!

 

[Village Idiot]

+1 on the B-vent. over the years, you will hear lots of pops, creaks, and other noises that will make you take pause and wonder if there is something wrong with the stove. As long as the install was done to manufacturer's specs, you can be sure the noises are just the stove telling you it is doing its job. (It is really not a good idea to anthropomorphize you stove. They don't like it when you do that.)

How is the auxiliary return air ducting to the basement working? I can see that you have the return air lever in aux mode.

 

[ymurf]

I haven't got to use the aux return duct much yet. I am hoping with the return and the heat zone duct in the basement it will keep it warm.