Request Your Inspection! Give Us a Call: 501-260-3857
Dave's Chimney Service
Fireplace & Stoves
Fireplaces come in different styles and specifications. Here's a quick tutorial:
Vent Free Fireplace
A fireplace that was designed to burn only gas logs and has no pipe vent. No pipe can be added to this unit per the specifications of this fireplace. If any alterations are done to this fireplace, it must be inspected by a CSIA Certified Tech before use.
Zero Clearance Fireplace
Also called a ZC or Prefabricated (prefab) fireplace. This is a manufactured fireplace that has met the UL requirements and is approved to burn combustibles. The fireplace must be installed with the approved pipe and attachments to meet these requirements. If the unit is installed improperly, it does not meet the requirements to burn in a home. If the unit is not installed or inspected by a CSIA Certified Tech, we recommend you do so for the safety of your unit before it's used. The interior walls of the fireplace often look like sheets of grey brick and can be replaced. These are necessary to the safety requirements to burn these units. These are called Refractory Panels.
Masonry Fireplace
These units are often prior to 1980's homes, or sometimes higher market new construction. This is a site-built firebox with clay flu tiles that make up the chimney crown. The exterior is most likely brick or rock, the top will have a mortar bed that protects this interior structure between the stick framing and the flu tiles. They can have glass doors installed as an option or update but are not required.
Wood or Pellet Stoves
A stove is defined as anything with Heavy metal doors. These can be homemade and not approved for UL Standards. All stoves installed into a fireplace are called "Inserts". All inserts are required to have a pipe and insulation in the flu to be considered safe by NFPA 211 Standards. All pipe, interior freestanding, or fireplace flu insert, must meet requirements per the stove manufacturer. They must also meet clearances within the fireplace, distance from the floor or surface combustible, the surrounding, etc. Dave can inspect all of these codes and install these units to safety specifications.
Vent Free Fireplace
A fireplace that was designed to burn only gas logs and has no pipe vent. No pipe can be added to this unit per the specifications of this fireplace. If any alterations are done to this fireplace, it must be inspected by a CSIA Certified Tech before use.
Zero Clearance Fireplace
Also called a ZC or Prefabricated (prefab) fireplace. This is a manufactured fireplace that has met the UL requirements and is approved to burn combustibles. The fireplace must be installed with the approved pipe and attachments to meet these requirements. If the unit is installed improperly, it does not meet the requirements to burn in a home. If the unit is not installed or inspected by a CSIA Certified Tech, we recommend you do so for the safety of your unit before it's used. The interior walls of the fireplace often look like sheets of grey brick and can be replaced. These are necessary to the safety requirements to burn these units. These are called Refractory Panels.
Masonry Fireplace
These units are often prior to 1980's homes, or sometimes higher market new construction. This is a site-built firebox with clay flu tiles that make up the chimney crown. The exterior is most likely brick or rock, the top will have a mortar bed that protects this interior structure between the stick framing and the flu tiles. They can have glass doors installed as an option or update but are not required.
Wood or Pellet Stoves
A stove is defined as anything with Heavy metal doors. These can be homemade and not approved for UL Standards. All stoves installed into a fireplace are called "Inserts". All inserts are required to have a pipe and insulation in the flu to be considered safe by NFPA 211 Standards. All pipe, interior freestanding, or fireplace flu insert, must meet requirements per the stove manufacturer. They must also meet clearances within the fireplace, distance from the floor or surface combustible, the surrounding, etc. Dave can inspect all of these codes and install these units to safety specifications.
Request Your On-Site Inspection
Contact us today to schedule an on-site inspection with one of our experienced chimney technicians. Give us a call or click the button below to get started.