Chimneys

Fireplace Chimney and Flue lecture notes 2016
Chimneys
 A chimney is a building structure manufactured or constructed to enclose one

or more vertical passages, called flues, where the products of combustion pass
safely outside the structure.
 Chimneys are exposed to extremes in temperature, ice, snow, and rain as well as
animals that attempt to take advantage of the heat and shelter to build nests.
 A masonry chimney needs to have a sound foundation to prevent movement and
prevents the leakage of combustion gases and prevent setting the building on
fire.
 Zero-clearance chimneys are constructed of multiple, concentric cylinders of
sheet metal with air space in between each layer to lower the temperature of
the outer surface of the chimney and can come in contact with building
materials.
Flue
 The flue is the working part of the chimney and can be comprised of a pipe or
shaft for the passage of smoke, hot air and gas in a chimney.
 A related component is a vent connector or flue vent connector. A vent is a
product intended to serve a specific type of appliance under narrowly defined
conditions. For example, the thin-walled metal pipe, typically 6" in diameter or
larger and used to connect an oil-fired heating boiler or a gas-fired furnace to a
metal or masonry chimney is properly called the flue vent connector.
 They are often referred to as "flue pipe" or "stack pipe".
 There are important safety regulations about these components, installation,
fire clearances, and fire ratings of flue vent connectors and their component
parts.
Chimney Caps
 Chimney caps are an important and necessary component on a chimney flue. Caps
prevent water from running into the chimney where the water seeps into the
bricks and mortar, settling behind the firebricks in the fireplace.
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 Since there is little to no air circulation in the chimney, except when it is in use,
and no sunlight, the inside of the chimney stays wet long after the rain stops.
This moisture erodes the mortar joints and weakens the brick.
 The freeze/thaw cycle during winter months accelerate the deterioration of
the chimney.
 Besides keeping the rain out, chimney caps also keep out animals and birds, keep
out leaves, twigs and other debris which could lead to a blockage or chimney
fire, keep sparks from exiting the chimney and igniting nearby combustibles.,
and helps eliminate wind induced downdrafts.
 Chimney caps are made from a variety of materials. The most common are
galvanized, stainless steel, and copper. Caps made of stainless steel and copper
will last much longer than those made of regular galvanized steel and they
normally carry an extended warranty.
Chimney Types
Chimneys can be constructed in three main ways, inside, outside, and three-sided.
1. Inside Chimneys
 All chimneys whose construction is entirely internal to the building structure
up to the roof line are considered inside chimneys.
2. Outside Chimneys
 Chimneys with three walls exposed to the outdoors are considered outside
chimneys. Vents may experience continued condensation.
3. Three Sided Chimneys
 A three-sided is one which does not provide full masonry thickness or fire
protection around all sides of the chimney flue.
 Three sided chimneys pose a serious fire risk because the chimney has been
built close to or even directly against combustible building materials without
the necessary fire clearance and masonry fire protection needed.
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Masonry Chimney Detail
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Prefab or Zero-Clearance Chimney Detail
Rules for Fireplace and Chimney Design
While there are many factors which affect fireplace performance, you may want to
check your fireplace and chimney to determine if they are close to these rules:
1. Ratio of Fireplace Opening to Chimney Flue Size:

 The area of the flue should be roughly one-twelfth (1/12) the size of the
opening area.
2. Chimney Height:
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 At least 3 feet above the roof and 2 feet higher than anything within 10
feet of it. Wood burning stoves with metal flues have different
requirements so you should check with the unit manufacturer but most
require a minimum length of 15 feet.
3. Damper Size and Location:
 Full width of firebox and at least 6 inches above the top of the opening.
The damper is usually closer to the front of the fireplace than the back.
4. Smoke Chamber Slope and Smoothness:
 The chamber above the damper should be as smooth as possible, and
should slope no more than 45 degrees.
Chimney Deposits
 Chimney deposits can be dangerous as they are a fuel source that can be
burning if flue temperatures are elevated or embers come in contact with
the deposits. There are three basic types of deposits.
a) Soot
 Soot is primarily composed of carbon particles but may also contain ash.
Soot has a soft texture and will be black or brown in color.
 The flammability of soot will depend on the concentration of soot and ash.
Soot is combustible while ash is noncombustible.
b) Creosote
 Creosote can be defined as a combustible deposit in the venting system which
begins as condensed wood smoke including tar vapors. It is a by-product of
incomplete combustion.
 Creosote is a flammable hard brown or black and form either curly, flaky
deposits or bulbous deposits in the venting system.
c) Glaze
 Glaze is a form of deposit that is a shiny tar-like substance. Glaze can form
puddles or drop down and make formations that resemble black icicles.
 Glaze is the most dense type of wood burning deposit and, therefore,
represents the greatest amount of fuel to burn in the event of a chimney
fire. Glaze is also the most difficult type of deposit to remove from the
chimney.
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Removal of Deposits
Standard Cleaning
 Standard cleaning involves the use of brushes to clean the flue walls. A
powerful vacuum connected to the bottom of the flue to prevent soot and
creosote from entering the home.
 This type of cleaning is effective for soot and ordinary creosote deposits but
has little effect on glaze deposits.
Mechanical Cleaning
 Mechanical cleaning involves the use of wire brushes, plastic cables or special
chains rotated at high speed by an electric motor.
 Mechanical cleaning is often employed to remove hard creosote or glaze
deposits.
 The improper use of mechanical cleaning tools can damage the chimney.
Chemical cleaning
 Special chemicals are used to loosen or dissolve heavy deposits of creosote and
glaze. Chemical cleaning should only be attempted by trained professional
sweeps.

Chimneys

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Fireplace Chimney and Flue lecture notes 2016

 A chimney is a building structure manufactured or constructed to enclose one

Masonry Chimney Detail

Prefab or Zero-Clearance Chimney Detail

Rules for Fireplace and Chimney Design

1. Ratio of Fireplace Opening to Chimney Flue Size:

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