Fireplace/Solid Fuel Burning Appliance/Chimney/Flue Maintenance

Fireplaces and solid fuel appliances are required to be installed per manufacturer's installation requirements. Any retrofitting of existing appliances must follow the manufacturer's specifications. The installation requirements vary from different types of units and the entire system must be evaluated and compliant prior to any retrofitting/changing of units is performed. Any combustible material is a fire hazard and required to meet the clearance requirements of the specific unit. All fireplaces, solid fuel burning appliances (if applicable) and the vent systems, flues and chimneys are recommended to be inspected and cleaned accordingly prior to using (such as wood burning or gas fireplaces) because of not knowing when the last time it was used and maintained.

The vent systems, flues and chimneys are not always accessible and therefore cannot be fully inspected from the interior, such as when an existing chimney is utilized to vent appliances that are non-original. It is recommended that a contractor specializing in the systems be contacted for further evaluation/maintence. Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be located on the floor where any solid fuel or gas appliances are installed and where fireplaces are installed, along with other locations.

(The picture shows a water heater venting into an existing chimney, this can be further evaluated by a specialty contractor if the condition of the chimney is unknown, or if a flue or flue liner has been installed or not.)

The vent systems, flues and chimneys are required to be maintained in proper operating conditions when exposed to the exterior, which include brick/mortar not failing, a chimney cap, and proper flashing. (Chimney in picture does not have flashing at the roof/brick location, and is missing a chimney/flue cap to protect from water intrusion)