Gas burning appliances vent pipes produce heat when discharging exhaust gases to exterior. Temperature of the vent pipe is transferred to the surrounding area and all the materials that are in the vent pipe vicinity. Problems start arising if those materials are combustible and located to close to the furnace, water heater vent pipe. If you apply heat to a combustible material for some period of time (that varies between materials), its point of ignition will gradually get lower and eventually little heat will be required to start a fire – that’s why you need a clearance between the vent pipe and a combustible material.
As with every fuel-burning appliance, proper venting is always critical, and to enjoy your solid (wood/coal) fuel-burning stove, you have to get it right. This guide is just an explanation of basic safety / code requirements for the solid fuel burning stoves. However, you should always consult stove installation with your local building code enforcement [...]
// < ![CDATA[ google_ad_client = "pub-0360944017767954"; /* 300x250,HE furnace vent pipe types */ google_ad_slot = "9650801356"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; // ]]> Plastic vent pipe types listed below have been certified by the American Gas Association for use in furnaces classified as Category 4. These particular types of furnaces use positive pressure vent [...]
Furnace and / or water heater chimney requires proper placement and termination to safely discharge exhaust gases from the appliances combustion (fuel burning) process. Improper chimney placement and termination is often responsible for back-drafts, excessive corrosion of the chimney pipe walls, condensation, and Carbon Monoxide contamination of your house. The rule explained on the pictures [...]
A brick chimney crown – also known as a chimney termination cap, cement wash, or just a chimney cap – seals the chimney top opening around the flue and sheds rainwater / prevents moisture from deteriorating the chimney. For the chimney crown to fulfill its purpose, it must be properly shaped and installed. Unfortunately, after [...]
The following guide is based on Peoples Gas “Construction Guide for Gas Usage” in the city of Chicago and National Fuel Gas Code. Before applying any of the following rules, you must check your local building code requirements, and appliance manufacturer installation instruction. Have you checked your house brick chimney lately… or whatever type of [...]
Proper furnace / water heater venting is an extremely important issue, which depends on the performance of the house chimney / chimney flue or other exhaust assemblies. The conditions explained in this post also apply to the wood burning appliances. Consequences of improperly assembled vent pipes, problematic chimney flue, deteriorating chimney walls can be sometimes [...]
Don’t forget to take care of the house brick chimney, even if your furnace, water heater or fireplace doesn’t require it any more! House chimneys are one of the most important, and at the same time neglected components of our homes, and I think… for a very simple reason; because we don’t understand them, and [...]
