Donald Hester
Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #647
WSDA#80050
InterNachi Member #NACHI10022401
509-670-9572
Contact Us
Washington State Licensed Home Inspector #647
WSDA#80050
InterNachi Member #NACHI10022401
509-670-9572
Contact Us
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Warped, Issues with prefab fireplaces. A fire danger hidden right in front of you.
Submitted by DonHester on Sat, 09/03/2016 - 11:21.
Warped, Issues with prefab fireplaces. A fire danger, hidden right in front of you.
Wenatchee Home Inspections
A very common appliance in homes, especially homes built after the 1960’s is the factory built, or prefab fireplace. People love their wood burning appliances and to get that traditional cozy feel they often opt for these prefabricated fireplaces because of cost and ease of installation, but they come with limitations and a hidden danger that most do not think about.
These prefab fireplaces are not your traditional site-built masonry fireplaces that most people think of when they are thinking a wood fireplace. Traditional fireplaces are heavy masonry structures with a lot of mass that can handle a lot of heat energy. They are built on a foundation to carry the weight of that structure.
Traditional Fireplace
Factory-built/prefab fireplaces are lightweight engineered products designed to work as a system with the metal fireplace box and chimney. Typically installed in a framed chase. The manufacturer will specify how the installation is to be performed and what chimney to use.
One of the most common issues I find during a home inspection with factory built fireplaces is they are damaged from building too large and hot fires in them. These fireplaces can not handle these intense blazes that many people will build in them.
This photo the warping is subtle but the wall is warped
In this photo the warping is not so subtle
Factory-built fireplace are made from solid sheets of metal. Many of the manufacturers will have refractory panels inside. These Panels typically look like bricks and helps prevent the fire’s heat from penetrating and damaging the firebox.
Refractory Panels
The intensity of these overbuilt fires warps or even cracks the metal of the firebox or cracks the refractory panels in the fireplace. In this condition the fireplace is a danger for fire. The damaged firebox and/or chimney will need to be replaced prior to use. You should not use a warped or cracked factory fireplace.
From one manufacturer-
“WARNINGS: Over firing the unit may result in overheating and can damage the fireplace or/and result in fire hazards. The maximum firewood load must not exceed 4 medium sized logs (approximately 30 pounds). Open the door to reload only when the wood has been reduced to charcoal, otherwise there is a risk of smoke infiltration into the house.
• This fireplace has been designed to burn with the door closed. When the fireplace
is functional, the door should only be opened when adding more wood. “
When buying a home or even before the winter heating season a thorough inspection of the condition of your factory built fireplace should be performed.
“An error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it.”
Orlando Aloysius Battista
If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacturer requirements please let me know.
NCW Home Inspections, LLC is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Oroville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…
Your Wenatchee and Chelan Professional Real Estate, Home and Structural Pest Inspection Service
Instructor- Fundamentals of Home Inspection- Bellingham Technical College
WA Home Inspector Advisory Licensing Board
www.ncwhomeinspections.com 509-670-9572
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If you find any errors or have additional information that would expand on any code, building standards or manufacture requirements please let me know.
