PART B - INSTALLATION
7. Masonry Fireplace Requirements
The masonry fireplace must meet the minimum requirements found in the building code
enforced locally, or the equivalent, for a safe installation. Contact the local building inspector for
requirements in the area. An inspection of the fireplace should include the following:
7.1
Fireplace and Chimney Condition
The masonry fireplace and chimney should be inspected prior to installation, to confirm that they
are free from cracks, loose mortar, creosote deposits, blockage, or other signs of deterioration.
If evidence of deterioration is noted, the fireplace or chimney should be upgraded and cleaned
prior to installation.
Masonry or steel, including the damper plate, may be removed from the smoke shelf and
adjacent damper frame if necessary to accommodate the insert's chimney liner, provided that
their removal will not weaken the structure of the fireplace and chimney, and will not reduce
protection for combustible materials to less than what is required by the building code.
Removal of any parts, which render the fireplace unfit for use with solid fuel, requires the
fireplace to be permanently labelled by the installer as being no longer suitable for solid fuel, until
the removed parts are replaced and the fireplace is restored to its original certified condition.
Also, any air vents, grilles, or louvers that allow air circulation around the fireplace must not be
removed or blocked.
7.2
Chimney Caps
Mesh type chimney caps must have provision for regular cleaning, or the mesh should be
removed to eliminate the potential of plugging.
7.3
Adjacent Combustibles
The fireplace should be inspected to make sure that there is adequate clearance to combustibles,
both exposed combustibles to the top, side, and front as well as concealed combustibles, in
the chimney and mantle area. The local inspector should have information on whether older
fireplaces are of adequate construction.
7.4
Opening Size
Refer to section
«9.3 Minimum Masonry Opening and Clearances to Combustibles»
size fireplace openings.
7.5
Masonry Fireplace Throat Damper
If the fireplace draft control system is to remain in the masonry fireplace, it must be locked
open for easy access to the chimney liner or removed entirely. If it is removed from the masonry
hearth, the notice plate 27009 must be installed in a visible place, inside the masonry hearth.
The plate can be found in the owner's manual kit.
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for suitable