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Factory Manufactured Fireplaces...

Factory Manufactured Fireplaces...

Factory manufactured fireplaces are in stalled in many new homes today as an open knock-out in factory manufactured fireplace inexpensive alternative to the masonry counterparts. These can be an enjoyable spot to congregate on these cooler fall days with family and friends. However, there are some installation flaws often overlooked by installers and home inspectors alike.

Almost all factory manufactured fireplaces are designed to burn wood or gas logs. All refractory panels will have a knock out designed for Natural or LP fuel line penetrations. As part of fire safety, these pipe penetrations are supposed to be sealed and fired with a refractory sealant that meets the manufacturer's specifications. Most are not.

Radiant heat can can pass through the opening in the factory manufactured fireplace open knock-out in factory manufactured fireplace enclosure and ignite framing materials. Most of the time, this is not observed by the home owner until it is too late.

If you have a factory manufactured fireplace installed in your home, take a few minutes to look where the gas line penetrates the refractory panel. If it is not sealed, call the manufacturer or your local installer and have the line sealed.

Refractory panel sealant for factory manufactured fireplaces may be available at your local home improvement store or fireplace sales center. To fire the sealant, run your fireplace for the amount of time specified by the sealant manufacturer. It is far better to be safe than sorry...

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Posted by Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector on 10/22/2009 05:15 AM

Comments (21)

Fireplace Safety in the Regional (Localism) Channel

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21 Comments on Factory Manufactured Fireplaces...

OCT

Michael - I did not know that. These factory manufactured fireplaces seem to be the choice of most builders in our area. Thanks for sharing this potentially home saving information.

You see very little Masonary built now a days. The cost and efficiency of these units has made it the choice for most. Still, nothing beats a hand laid 8 foot opening.

As always Michael, you are the voice of precaution and reason...
Your reader and friend in Washington State,
Paul

Michael, Ok I will look. I've never paid attention.

We do have the gas line, but our is a full masonary fireplace too so someone could burn wood if they wanted too.

Me?

I like to push a switch and have that cozy feeling.

Good morning Michael; Thanks again for some very good information.

Michael,

This is a very informative post and something that I had not thought about. In addition I do not recall a building inspector looking very close to this issue in homes that I have sold with fireplaces.

Michael - Thanks for the post. I never looked at my own, so i know that most others haven't either. I reblogged it in hopes that it can be seen by more people.

Michael, I see a lot of these in my marketplace and I had no idea. Thanks for sharing, I am definitely going to share with my readers.

Michael, you always have such useful posts and information......thanks for providing reminders for us always!

Great advice Michael, and something that I'm quite certain is often overlooked by both the buyers and the inspectors. Thanks for the info my friend!

My friend bought a house and didn't find out until winter that she only bought an a/c unit ... no heat. Ouch. Doesn't have much to do with the fireplace stuff here but that's what came to my feeble mind!

Michael, this is great information since most of the houses in our area have these fireplaces. I need to look at ours at home.

Michael-

I believe that Fireplace looks familiar. Meadow Bridge?

Thanks agin for the timely Inspection.

Jim, Yes, the bottom picture is.

I checked mine, good tip again. thanks Michael

Michael,

That is a very good homeowner tip that they can followup on themselves.

OCT

Michael,

I don't know the numbe of times that buyers will say, "Well, there's no fireplace but we'll just buy one and install it."

Thanks for the post.

Great tip Michael. My daughter is having one installed in her new home. We will be sure to check it out to make sure it is sealed. Thanks!

I had a fireplace installed and the didn't seal the vent. Let smoke into the room immediately. Of course I called them back and they did fix it. Never hurt to double check new installs.

Thanks Michael. Good to know. I used to have one when i lived on Cape Cod but we don't have natural gas here in SW Florida

OCT

Thansk for the tip Michael. This is something to keep in mind going into the winter months.

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