Macomb County Chimney Repair
& Masonry Contractor
Brick Repair LLC (248) 895-7752 www.michiganchimneyrepair.com Is a local Macomb County Michigan masonry contractor with the last 12 years specialized in masonry restoration and repair. We are experts at matching brick and mortar color. We are not a handyman service. Brick Brick Repair LLC is a group of masonry craftsman devoted to masonry beautifying Oakland County and surrounding communities.
Let us help you repair and restore you homes masonry beauty. Brick Repair LLC is Macomb County's leading masonry restoration company. We have worked hard to earn a reputation for quality and look forward to showing the residents of Macomb County that it is well deserved. Oar goal is to leave every customer satisfied and willing to use us again, or recommend us to a friend. we pride ourselves on building corners not cutting them.
Our Masonry contractors offer free estimates to Macomb County residents for any of the following services: Chimney repair, Masonry construction, chimney crown repairs, chimney cap replacement, Chimney rebuilds, Tuckpointing, Natural stone, Limestone replacement, Cultured stone, brick porch repair, Brick porch construction, Masonry wall construction, brick replacement, tuckpointing, pointing and repointing work, grout replacement, and historic restoration. We look forward to the opportunity to help you with your masonry construction projects.
Macomb County, Auburn Hills, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield township, Brighton, Canton, Clarkston, Clawson, Commerce, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Ferndale, Drayton Plains, Eastpointe, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Grosse pointe, Highland, Highland Park, Howell, Hunington Woods, Keego Harbor, Lake Orion, Lathrup Village, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Madison Heights, Milford, New Hudson, Northville, Novi, Oak Park, Orchard Lake, Orion, Orchard Lake, Ortonville, Pontiac, Redford, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Romulus, Roseville, Royal Oak, South Lyon, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Utica, Walled Lake, Waterford, West Bloomfield, White Lake Macomb County, Wayne County, Macomb County, Livingston County
Macomb County Mi Chimney Cleaning, Chimney Repair, Brick Porch Repair & Masonry Restoration Specialists
Brick Repair LLC (248) 895-7752 (www.michiganchimneyrepair.com) Is a local masonry contractor serving Genesee County, Macomb County Mi. Brick Repair llc has years of experience specializing in masonry restoration and repair. Our chimney sweeps can inspect your brick chimney fireplace and our chimney sweeps can provide you with your annual chimney cleaning or chimney repair We are experts at matching brick and mortar color at Brick Repair llc. Brick repair llc is not handyman service. Here at brick repair we strive to the top Macomb County chimney repair company. Brick repair llc is Macomb County brick fireplace chimney cleaning and chimney repair company. Brick Repair LLC is a group of masonry craftsmen devoted to chimney repair Masonry restoration and quality brickwork. Beautifying Macomb County, Sterling Heights, Hazel Park and Royal Oak one brick at a time.
Some of the first jobs Brick Repair llc ever performed were in downtown Milford Mi, Highland Township, White lake and Waterford Mi . As the years and chimney tops have gone by we have grown to support the surrounding cities such as Troy Mi., Macomb County & Birmingham. We get a real sense of satisfaction knowing that if we are in Livonia, Birmingham or even Detroit a satisfied Brick Repair customer is never far away. We have strong ties to down Holly Mi Where we did the historic brick restoration of the Holly Hotel and love the beautiful brick Chimney and brick paver porches Birmingham has to offer.
Let us help you fix, repair and restore your brick homes masonry beauty. Brick Repair LLC (248) 895-7752 Macomb County Michigan's leading chimney cleaning, chimney repair, and historic brick repair company. We have worked hard to earn a reputation for quality and look forward to showing the residents of Macomb County Mi that it is well deserved. Our goal is to leave every customer satisfied and willing to use us again, or recommend us to a friend. We pride ourselves on building corners not cutting them.
Our Masonry contractors and chimney sweeps offer free chimney repair estimates to all Macomb County , Holly, Ferndale, Rose Township, and Lindon residents for any of the following services: chimney cleaning, chimney repair, masonry construction, chimney crown repairs, chimney cap replacement, chimney rebuilds, tuckpointing, natural stone, limestone replacement, cultured stone, brick porch repair, Brick porch construction, masonry wall construction, brick wall repair, brick replacement, tuck-pointing, pointing and re pointing work, grout replacement, and historic restoration. We look forward to the opportunity to help you with your masonry construction and chimney cleaning projects.
Why fireplaces do not work, how to make your chimney draft properly and how to build a chimney and fireplace that draft properly are a common topic of discussion among bricklayers and masonry contractors. Since man first discovered fire and dug the first fire pit all the way up tiill huge chimney stacks and furnaces suplied heat to industrial plants and homes having your fireplace burn properly has been the problem hand. The prices of building a brick or stone fireplaces and chimney has steadily grown as knowledge of brick stone and masonry has increased. During these modern times we have the advantage of learning from our fore fathers and developing formulas and techniques to combat draft and increase fireplace and chimney efficiency. Still today we find that some fireplace chimney's work better than others.
The main principle of why a chimney or fireplace works because heat rises. When you start a fire, in your fireplace the air inside chimney warms and begins to rise .The heat of the fire in your fir box draws in the cooler air from the room it is in. This cooler air flows into the firebox fanning the fire increasing the flame in an ongoing cycle. The heat dynamic created pressure differentials can also create a pleasant breeze as it moves across the top of your chimney.
There are numerous reasons a chimney and fireplace may not function properly. Will start with the the most simple & obvious solutions Please bear in mind this list may not solve all of your fireplace and chimney issues but it should provide you a good place to start. Here is a list of common reasons that fireplaces and chimneys don't work .
To really understand fireplaces chimney sweeping and chimney's requires extensive knowledge masonry and fireplaces. Being a chimney sweep does not mean you a qualified to do chimney repair. Likewise being good at masonry and brick work does not make you good with chimneys. When dealing with your chimney repair and chimney problems you want a contractor familiar chimney building codes, pressure differentials, and actual fireplace construction techniques. If the information provided here does not help you solve the problem with your fireplace, consider hiring an experienced, chimney sweep and masonry restoration expert in your area. The problem may be obvious to someone with chimney and fireplace experience once they can actually look over the fireplace and chimney..
Michigan fireplace chimney fires are a reality of life They destroy thousands of homes and lives. Having a regular chimney cleaning by your local chimney sweep can prevent most chimney fires. Most Macomb County Commerce and Highland residents don’t even realize the risk their homes could be in from chimney fires. First, let us establish who is at risk.
If proper precautions are taken, brick fireplace chimney fires can be avoided. A Chimney should be inspected by a chimney sweep and chimney cleaning specialist regularly. First, you need to understand the anatomy of how a fireplace works and how a fireplace chimney fire is set into motion. When a fire is built in a masonry or brick chimney it is started in the fireplace fire box.
The chimney firebox is built out of fire brick. A fire brick, firebrick, or refractory brick is a block of refractory ceramic material used in lining furnaces, kilns, fireboxes, and fireplaces. A fireplace fire box is primarily to withstand high temperature, but will also usually have a low thermal conductivity for greater energy efficiency. Fireplace firebrick are weaker, but they are much lighter, and insulate far better than dense bricks. A brick fireplace brick fire box should be free from cracks. The fireplace fire brick will taper in toward a damper and smoke shelf. A fireplace firebox is the only spot in which burning wood should occur.
Everybody knows where there is chimney smoke there is fire, so obviously when you burn wood in your masonry and brick fireplace chimney, smoke is released and travels up from your fire box and into a smoke shelf and chimney flue liner. As the warm smoke travels up the chimney flue liner it begins to cool . That smoke condenses on the inside walls of your chimney flue liner and is converted into creosote.
Creosote is a highly flammable material that ignites easily from flame or spark. The type of wood that is burned in a brick chimney fireplace and frequency of chimney cleaning affects the amount of creosote built up on the chimney flue liner. Green, or unseasoned wood, contains a lot of moisture. This means it takes more heat to burn the wood in the brick fireplace firebox. Green wood produces more creosote.
Outside temperature also plays a factor in the amount of creosote formed. Chimneys that run up the side of your brick house are more apt to produce creosote. than one that runs up the center of your home This is because brick concrete and stone masonry has a low insulation value. The warm smoke being hit by cool temperatures condenses more quickly.
Proper air flow is critical to your stone or brick chimney. Making sure your fireplace damper is open all the way so that smoke ventilates through the chimney quickly also reduces the risk of creosote forming. A Fireplace chimney must be built to a proper height to draft properly. Usually three feet above the roof or ten feet from the roof.
You must make sure to have a chimney cleaning professional or chimney sweep clean your chimney annually. When you ignite paper and cardboard in your fireplace, often times small flaming pieces of ash and soot can drift up the flue liner and are more likely to ignite the creosote that has built up.
Brick Repair LLC specializes in fireplace chimney construction, Fireplace remodeling, chimney cleaning, chimney repair and historic brick restoration. Our chimney sweeps can provide cost effective chimney cleaning. We also repair brick porches and brick wall repair on a daily basis. If you would like more information about chimney fires, please visit HTTP://michiganchimneyrepair.blogspot.com/2010/01/chimney-repair-Macomb County Mi.html If you would like information about chimney repair or masonry construction http://michiganchimneyrepair.com/ChimneyFires.aspx
Macomb County Mi chimney repair. Brick Repair LLC is happy to serve the following communities: Auburn Hills, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield township, Brighton, Canton, Clarkston, Clawson, Commerce, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Ferndale, Drayton Plains, Eastpointe, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Grosse pointe, Highland, Highland Park, Howell, Hunington Woods, Keego Harbor, Lake Orion, Lathrup Village, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Macomb County, Macomb County, New Hudson, Northville, Novi, Oak Park, Orchard Lake, Orion, Orchard Lake, Ortonville, Pontiac, Redford, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Romulus, Roseville, Royal Oak, South Lyon, Southfield, Sterling Heights, Sylvan Lake, Troy, Utica, Walled Lake, Waterford, West Bloomfield, Macomb County Mi Macomb County Mi , Wayne County, Macomb County, Livingston County Macomb County Mi Chimney repair
With any chimney repair or masonry restoration project comes debris. Small chunks of mortar, pieces of concrete, and chunks of brick from the demolition of the brickwork can add up fast. And lets face it, its not like your local garbageman or trash removal service is going to grab a garbage can that weighs 500 lbs and carry it away. That is why whenever you plan on doing any kind of demolition project, chimney repair, or brickwork you need to know what to do with your debris and trash.
One option is to remove the brick debris, concrete, and mortar yourself. This involves filling up a trailer or truck and hauling out the brick, concrete, and mortar. You can then haul this material to the dump, but the dump charges by weight. A much more practical method of removing the debris, is to find a local concrete recycling company. Most concrete recycling companies will take any concrete and mortar you have and dispose of it. A select few concrete recycling companies, commonly referred to as the concrete crusher, will take your brick debris also. Concrete, brick, and mortar are ground up to a gravel sized consistency. This aggregate is then recycled into new concrete. The problem with using concrete crushers and recyclers is unless you have a dump truck or dump trailer, you must handle your material and debris not only when you haul it off of the job, but when you dump it. By far the most cost-effective way to go on any large scale demolition project is to rent a dumpster. Whenever you rent the dumpster be sure to specify what you plan on disposing of inside of it.
At Brick Repair LLC we are committed to the local Michigan environment. We use concrete recycling companies whenever possible. For more information about masonry and masonry repair, our free how-to repair brick videos, please visit us http://www.chimneyrepairmichigan.com/ Brick repair llc's chimney repair service provides chimney cleaning for Residents of Rochester hills vist http://www.chimneyrepairrochesterhills.com/
For information about Michigan chimney sweeps chimney cleaning chimney repair
check out our masonry repair videos HTTP://www.michiganchimneyrepair.org/
Chimney repair in and Macomb County and surrounding cities http://www.chimneyrepairoaklandcounty.com/
West Bloomfield Mi Residents looking for chimney inspection or chimney a chimney sweep visit:
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If You live in Livonia Mi and would like information about brick repair or chimney-related work visithttp://michiganchimneyrepair.com/LivoniaChimneyRepair.aspx
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Level I Inspection:
This inspection is recommended when the chimney system is easily accessible and when the homeowner is planning to maintain its current use. This is the most common level of inspection performed in homes. During this type of inspection, the chimney technician basically confirms that the chimney structure is sound and that the chimney is free of obstruction.
Level II Inspection:
Sale or transfer of a property, after an operating malfunction, or an occurrence which may have caused damage to the chimney requires a Level II inspection. Adding a new home heating appliance or converting the type of fuel being used in a home or building also requires a Level II inspection.
The Level II inspection includes all actions of a Level I inspection plus the inspection of accessible areas inside the house such as the chimney portion of the crawl space or basement as well as the attic. It may include a performance test such as a smoke test or a pressure test.
Level III Inspection:
When a Level I or a Level II inspection suggest there is a potential problem with the structure or functioning of a chimney and a complete evaluation cannot be performed without access to concealed areas, a Level III inspection is recommended. This type of inspection confirms the proper construction and condition of concealed portions of the chimney structure and the flue. This inspection could also include an interior video inspection if recommended by the chimney technician. A Level III inspection is typically necessary when determining the cause of damage to a chimney or building or when a hazard is detected or suspected.
The CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) sets the standards and has classified the levels of chimney inspections.
1. Your chimney leans to the side, instead of standing up straight.
A leaning chimney is usually an indicator that your chimney’s masonry or structure is at risk. A chimney is often the heaviest part of a home, so it can be dangerous to leave unattended. A chimney and masonry expert will be able to evaluate and repair this problem.
2. When the chimney is burning a fire, smoke and gases are not traveling through your chimney. Instead, they are coming into your home.
We all love a good fire, but this can be dangerous. First, look to see if your flue is open. If it is not open, opening it may solve your problem. However, if it is open, arrange to have your chimney inspected by a certified expert immediately.
3. If there has been an earthquake or strong storm since the chimney’s last use.
Strong winds, hail, ground movement, etc. can all harm your chimney. They can damage the structure and foundation. Your fireplace and chimney may be unsafe for use. An inspection by a certified professional will determine if your chimney is safe or needs repair.
If your fireplace and chimney fall under any of these conditions, do not worry. Call your local chimney sweep to inspect and solve your problem. Here at Brick Repair llc our experts will diagnose and fix all you chimney problems! Contact our office today to schedule an appointment!
What Type of Fireplace to Construct
There are several different types of fireplace constructions available to choose from. Wood-burning and vented (gas) are the most common types of fireplaces you will find. There are several different types of gas burning fireplaces, as well. Gas burning fireplaces are found mostly in urban areas, as gas pipe lines are expensive to run long distances. Wood-burning fireplaces are found in urban and rural areas and are considered the more traditional type of fireplace.
Function
The function of your fireplace is another thing to consider. Is it primarily for aesthetics or to provide heat? Generally, wood-burning fireplaces are used for heat and gas fireplaces are used for decoration. Gas fireplaces do not produce as much heat or light as a wood fireplace typically does. That being said, most places that use wood-burning fireplaces already have another source for heat.
Quality
Considering the importance and beauty of a fireplace—and the hazards that accompany it, you want to make sure you have a well-built and solid structure. It is important to find a masonry company that offers the best possible fireplace construction out there.
It is important to find a reputable company, and here at Michigan Chimney and Masonry you are guaranteed a fine product—whether you’re in need of chimney repair, a new chimney lining, or fireplace construction.
Accessible (for Inspections) - Capable of being exposed for inspection, maintenance, or repair without damage to the chimney or building structure or finish, but which may require the removal of doors, panels, or coverings using commonly available tools.
Acid Cleaning - The process of cleaning the interior surfaces of steam generating units by filling the unit with dilute acid accompanied by an inhibitor to prevent corrosion, and subsequently draining, washing and neutralizing the acid by a further wash of alkaline water.
Acidity - Represents the amount of free carbon dioxide, mineral acids and salts (especially sulphates of iron and aluminum) which hydrolyze to give hydrogen ions in water and is reported as milliequivalents per liter of acid, or ppm acidity as calcium carbonate, or pH the measure of hydrogen ions concentration.
Aggregate - Ingredients of concrete; gravel and sand, mixed with portland cement.
Air - The mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases, which with varying amounts of water vapor, forms Accessible (for Inspections). Capable of being exposed for inspection, maintenance, or repair without damage to the chimney or building structure or finish, but which may require the removal of doors, panels, or coverings using commonly available tools. the atmosphere of the earth.
Air Deficiency - Insufficient air, in an air-fuel mixture, to supply the oxygen required for complete oxidation of the fuel.
Air Infiltration - The leakage of air into a setting or duct
Anchor Bolts - Bolts used to secure a wooden sill to a masonry foundation.
Appliance - Utilization equipment, normally built in standardized sizes or types that is installed or connected as a unit to perform one or more functions such as clothes washing, air conditioning, food mixing, cooking, heating, or refrigeration.
Appliance Casing (or jacket) -An enclosure forming the outside of the appliance.
Appliance Categories - See Gas Appliance Categories.
Appliance Flue - The flue passage within an appliance.
Asbestos Shingles - Fireproof roof or siding material made of portland cement and asbestos.
ASH - The incombustible inorganic matter in the fuel.
Ash - The solid residue that remains after combustion is complete.
Ash Pit - A pit or hopper located below a furnace where refuse is accumulated and from which refuse is removed at intervals.
Ash Receptacle Door - A door below the grade level providing access to the ash receptacle.
Attic -Type Heating Appliance. A heating appliance designed specifically for installation in an attic or in a space with low headroom that normally is unoccupied.
Automatic Electric Igniter - A device for fuel burners designed to utilize electric energy for ignition of a fuel-air mixture at the burner.
Automatically Lighted Fuel-Burning Appliance - A fuel-burning appliance in which fuel to the main burner is normally turned on and ignited automatically.
Automatically Operated Damper - A damper operated by an automatic control.
Baffle - An object placed in an appliance to change the direction of, or to retard, the flow of air, air-fuel mixtures, or flue gases.
Barometric Draft Regulator - A device built into a fuel-burning appliance, or made a part of a chimney connector or vent connector, that functions to reduce excessive draft through an appliance to a desired value by admitting ambient air into the appliance chimney, chimney connector, vent, or vent connector.
Boiler - A vessel in which water is heated, steam is generated, or steam is superheated, or in which any combination thereof takes place by the application of heat from combustible fuels, in a self-contained or attached furnace.
Bond - Where referring to bricklaying and masonry chimneys, that connection between brick, stone or other masonry units formed by lapping them upon one another in carrying up the work, thereby forming an inseparable mass.
Breeching - The conduit conveying flue gas from the appliance to the chimney.
Btu - Abbreviation for British thermal unit. The quantity of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1F.
Building Code - A set of rules and regulations established by local government, which determines the standards for procedures and materials in construction.
Building Heating Appliance - A fuel-burning or electric boiler operating at a gauge pressure not over 50 psig (345 kPa), a central furnace, or a heater intended primarily for heating spaces having a volume exceeding 25,000 ft3 (708m3).
Built-up Roof - A flat or low pitched roof of three or more layers of tar-saturated felt or jute; the surface is finished with gravel or crushed slag.
C - Carbon element, the principal combustible constituent of all fuels.
Caulk - To fill seams and joints with a flexible, durable substance to make them watertight and airtight.
Central Warm-Air, Forced-Air, Attic-Type Furnace - A forced-air-type-furnace designed specifically for installation in an attic or in a space with low headroom that is normally occupied.
Central Warm-Air, Forced-Air, Down flow-Type Furnace - A forced-air-type furnace designed specifically in a vertical path, discharging air at or near the bottom of the furnace.
Central Warm-Air, Force-Air, Horizontal-Type Furnace - A forced-air-type furnace designed with airflow through the furnace essentially in a horizontal path.
Central Warm-Air, Forced-Air-Type-Furnace - A central furnace equipped with a blower that provides the primary means for the circulation of air.
Central Warm-Air, Forced-Air, Up flow-Type Furnace - A forced-air-type- furnace designed with airflow essentially in a vertical path, discharging air at or near the top of the furnace.
Central Warm-Air Furnace - A self-contained indirect-fired or electrically heated appliance designed to supply heated air through ducts to spaces remote from or adjacent to the appliance location.
Central Warm-Air, Gravity-Type Furnace - A central furnace depending primarily on circulation of air by gravity.
Central Warm-Air, Gravity-Type Furnace with Booster Fan - A central furnace equipped with a fan as an integral part of its construction and operable on gravity systems only. The fan is used only to overcome the internal resistance to airflow.
Central Warm-Air, Gravity-Type Furnace with Integral Fan - A central furnace equipped with a fan as an integral part of its construction and operable on gravity systems only. The fan is used to overcome the internal resistance to airflow.
Chimney - flues, or channels, through which smoke is expelled from a fireplace or furnace.
Chimney - A structure containing one or more vertical or nearly vertical passageways for conveying flue gases to the outside atmosphere.
Chimney Cap - A protective covering or housing for the top of a chimney intended to prevent the entry of rain, snow, animals, and birds, to prevent downdrafts.
Chimney Connector - The pipe that connects a fuel-burning appliance to a chimney.
Chimney Connector-Type Heat Re claimer - A heat exchanger intended to be installed in a chimney connector between a heating appliance and the chimney to transfer heat from the flue gases through metal to air or water.
Chimney Flue - The passage in a chimney for conveying the flue gases to the outside atmosphere.
Chimney Flue Base (Base of Flue) - The lowest point of a flue, within a chimney.
Chimney Pot - A cylindrical pipe of brick, terra-cotta, or metal placed on the top of a chimney to improve the draft to draw away noxious fumes from coal-burning fireplaces
Chimney Sweep - A worker employed to clean soot from chimneys.
Circulating Room Heater - A room heater with an outer jacket surrounding the heat exchanger, arranged with openings at top and bottom so that air circulates between the heat exchanger and the outer jacket. Room heaters that have openings in an outer jacket to allow some direct radiation
From the heat exchanger are classified as a radiant type.
Circulation - The movement of water and steam within a steam generating unit.
Clean out Door - A door placed so that accumulated refuse may be removed room a boiler setting.
Clean out Opening - An opening or hole in a chimney, usually located near its base, designed to allow access to the flue for purposes of removing ash, creosote, soot, and other extraneous matter that becomes trapped.
Clearance - The distance between a heat-producing appliance, chimney, chimney connector, vent, vent connector, or plenum and other surfaces.
Clothes Dryer - A device used to dry wt laundry by means of heat derived from the combustion of fuel or from electric heating elements.
CO - Carbon monoxide.
CO2 - Carbon dioxide.
Combination-Fuel Boiler - A single boiler unit designed to burn more than one type of fuel (gas, oil, or solid), either separately or simultaneously using either separate or common combustion chambers and flues.
Combination-Fuel Furnace - A single furnace unit designed to burn more than one type of fuel (gas, oil or solid), either separately or simultaneously, using either separate or common combustion chambers and flues.
Combination Room/Heater/Fireplace Stove - A chimney-connected, solid fuel-burning room heater that is designed to be operated with the fire chamber either open or closed.
Combustion - A chemical process of oxidation that occurs at a rate fast enough to produce heat and usually light in the form of either a glow or flame.
Combustion Air - The air necessary to provide for the complete combustion of fuel and usually consisting of primary air, secondary air, and excess air.
Combustible Material - Material made of or surfaced with wood, compressed paper, plant fibers, plastics, or other material that can ignite and burn, whether flame proofed or not, or whether plastered or un plastered.
Combustion Products - Constituents resulting from the combustion of a fuel with the oxygen of the air, including the inert but excluding excess air.
Common Brick - The least expensive red brick used for construction and lacking the attractive texture and water-resistant qualities of tapestry or face brick.
Combustibles - The heat producing constituents of a fuel.
Combustion - The rapid chemical combination of oxygen with the combustible elements of a fuel resulting in the release of heat.
Combustion Air - Air used in the combustion process. Air contains oxygen which is required to combust fuel.
Combustion Chamber - See Furnace.
Complete Combustion - The complete oxidation of all the combustible constituents of a fuel.
Condensation - Droplets of water sometimes appearing as frost on inside surfaces of exterior walls or windows in cold weather, and caused by excessive moisture-laden air in poorly ventilated buildings.
Confined Space - A space whose volume is less than 50ft3/1000 Btu/hr (1.42 m3/293W) of the aggregate input rating of all appliances installed in that space.
Cooking Appliance (Floor-Mounted Restaurant-Type) - A range, oven, broiler, or other miscellaneous cooking appliance designated for use in hotel and restaurant kitchens and for mounting on the floor.
Corrosion - The gradual destruction of a substance due to a chemical reaction.
Corbel - Units of masonry projecting from or projecting upward and outward from the face of a wall or chimney in courses to form a support or ledge for a beam, rafter, or other member.
Counter Appliance (Gas) - Appliances such as gas-operated coffee brewers and coffee urns and any appurtenant water-heating equipment, food and dish warmers, hot plates, and griddles.
Damper - A metal device to regulate draft in the flue of a boiler, furnace or fireplace.
Damper - A valve or plate for controlling draft or the flow of gases, including air.
Decorative Shroud - A partial enclosure for aesthetic purposes that is installed at the termination of a venting system that surrounds or conceals the chimney or vent cap.
Dew Point - The temperature at which water vapor in the air begins to condense into droplets.
Dilution Air - The air that enters the relief opening of a draft hood or draft diverter, or the air that enters another opening in an appliance flue or venting system.
Dilution Flue - A passage designed to effect the dilution of flue gases with air before discharge from an appliance.
Direct Vent appliance (Sealed Combustion System Appliance) - A system consisting of an appliance, combustion air and flue gas connections between the appliance and the outside atmosphere, and a vent cap supplied by the manufacturer, and constructed so that all air for combustion is obtained from the outside atmosphere and all flue gases are discharged to the outside atmosphere.
Draft - The difference between atmospheric pressure and some lower pressure existing in the furnace stack or gas passages of a steam generating unit.
Draft - The pressure differential that causes the flow of air or gases through a chimney, gas vent, or venting system.
Draft Hood - A device built into an appliance, or made a part of the vent connector from an appliance, that is designed to (1) provide for the ready escape of the flue gases from the appliance in the event of no draft, back drafts, or stoppage beyond the draft hood, (2) prevent a back draft from entering the appliance, and (3) neutralize the effect of stack action of the chimney or gas vent upon the operation of the appliance.
Duct - A passage for air or gas flow.
Duct Furnace - A central furnace designed for installation in a duct of an air distribution system to supply warm air for heating and that depends on a blower not furnished as part of the furnace for air circulation.
Efficiency - The ratio of output to input.
Engineered Venting or Chimney System - A system that has been sized and configured in accordance with approved engineering methods.
EXCESS AIR - Air supplied for combustion in excess of that theoretically required for complete oxidation.
Efflorescence - A growth of salt crystals on a surface caused by evaporation of salt-laden water
Face brick - A type of brick made of selected clays and often textured which is highly water-resistant. Also called tapestry brick.
Factory-Built Appliance - A manufactured appliance furnished by the manufacturer as a single assembly or as a package set of subassemblies or parts, and including all the essential components necessary for it to function normally where installed as intended.
Factory-Built Fireplace - A fireplace composed of listed, factory-built components assembled in accordance with the terms of the listing.
Factory-Built, Building Heating Appliance Type Chimney - A heating appliance chimney suitable for continuous use at 1000F (538C), composed of listed, factory-built components, designed for open, non enclosed use at specified minimum clearances to combustibles, and assembled in accordance with the terms of the listing to form the completed chimney.
Factory-Built, Medium-Heat Appliance Type Chimney - A chimney used with appliances that produce maximum flue gas temperatures of 1800F (982C), composed of listed, factory-built components, suitable for open, non enclosed use a specified minimum clearances to combustibles, and assembled in accordance with the terms of the listing to form the completed chimney.
Factory-Built, Positive Pressure Capable Chimney - A residential type or building heating appliance chimney, or both, listed for use in positive internal pressure applications.
Factory-Built, Residential Type and Building Heating Appliance Type Chimney - A chimney suitable for use at 1000F (538C) which complies with the 10 minute 1700F Temperature test of UL 103, Factory-Built Chimneys for Residential Type and Building Heating Appliance, and is composed of listed, factory built components that might be fully enclosed in combustible, residential type construction, and that is assembled in accordance with the terms of the listing to form a completed chimney.
Factory-Built, Residential Type and/or Building Heating Appliance Type Chimney-Type HT - A residential type and building heating appliance chimney suitable for use at 1000F (538C) which complies with the optional 10 minute 2100F temperature test of UL 103, factory-Built Chimneys for Residential Type and Building Heating Appliance. Such chimneys are labeled as Type HT and are required for certain solid fuel-fired applications.
Factory-Built, 1400F Type Chimney - A chimney suitable for continuous use at 1400F (760C), composed of listed, factory-built components, intended for open, non-enclosed use at specified minimum clearances to combustibles and for use in noncombustible locations, and assembled in accordance with the terms of the listing to form the completed chimney.
Fan - A blower or exhauster assembly comprising blades or runners and housing or casings.
Flame - A luminous body of burning gas or vapor.
Flammability - Susceptibility to combustion.
Flue - A passage for products of combustion.
Flue Collar - That portion of an appliance designed for attachment of a chimney or vent connector or a draft hood.
Flue Gas - The gaseous product of combustion in the flue to the stack.
Flue Gases - Combustion products from fuel-burning appliances along with excess air.
Flue Gas Damper - A damper located on the downstream side of the combustion chamber of a fuel-burning appliance, usually in a flue passage of the appliance or in the chimney or vent connector.
Firebrick - A brick made of special fire clay to resist high heat.
Fire Clay - Material that can withstand very high temperatures without softening or fusing and to line chimney flues and fire chambers of boilers and furnaces.
Fireplace - A hearth, fire chamber, or similarly prepared area and a chimney.
Fireplace Accessories - Accessories intended for field installation into or attachment to existing masonry fireplaces. These include such items as heat exchangers, door assemblies, tubular grates, and blowers.
Fireplace Insert - A factory-built, field installed product consisting of a firebox assembly designed to be installed within or partially within the fire chamber of a fireplace that uses the fireplace flue to vent the products of combustion.
Fireplace Stove - A freestanding, chimney-connected, solid fuel-burning appliance that is designed to be operated with the fire chamber either open or closed.
Fire stop - Any solid object used to block airways between walls to prevent smoke and fire from spreading.
Flame - A luminous body of burning gas or vapor.
Flame Spread Rating - A relative measurement of the surface burning characteristics of building materials when tested in accordance with NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test of Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
Flammability - Susceptibility to combustion.
Flashing - Sheet metal or other material used around chimneys, dormers, windows and joints where angles meet to protect a structure from water seepage.
Floor Protector - A noncombustible surfacing applied to the floor area underneath and extending in front, to the sides, and to the rear of a heat-producing appliance.
Flue - An enclosed chimney passage through which gas and smoke rise to open air.
Flue - The general term for a passage in a chimney for conveying the flue gases to the outside atmosphere.
Flue Lining - Round or square fire clay or terra-cotta pipe made in two foot lengths which prevents smoke and hot gases from escaping through the wall of the chimney into the house.
FUEL - A substance containing combustible used for generating heat.
Gas Vent - A passageway composed of listed factory-built components assembled in accordance with the terms of listing for conveying vent gases from gas appliances or their vent connectors to the outside atmosphere.
Hardwood - Lumber from trees that shed their broad leaves in the fall. The term hardwood or softwood is not an accurate index of relative hardness. Some softwoods such as southern yellow pine or Douglas fir are much harder than the hardwoods poplar or basswood. See softwood.
Header - Where referring to chimneys, a beam set at right angles to floor or roof joists to provide support and framing around the opening.
Hearth - The floor of a fireplace, including the part that extends into the room constructed of tile, brick or stone.
Hearth - The floor area within the fire chamber of a fireplace or a fireplace stove.
Hearth Extension - The noncombustible surfacing applied to the floor area extending in front of and at the sides of the hearth opening of a fireplace or a fireplace stove; also where applied to the floor area beneath a fireplace stove or beneath an elevated overhanging fireplace hearth.
Heat Exchanger - A chamber in which heat resulting directly from the combustion of fuel, or heat from a medium such as air, water, or steam, is transferred through the walls of the chamber to air passing through the exchanger; or a chamber in which heat from electric resistors is transferred to the air.
Heat-Producing Appliance - An appliance that produces heat by utilizing electric energy or by burning fuel.
High-Pressure Boiler - A boiler for generating steam at gauge pressures in excess of 15psi (103 kPa) or for heating water to a temperature in excess of 250F (121C) or at a gauge pressure in excess of 160psi (1103 kPa).
Hot Water Supply Boiler - A boiler used to heat water for purposes other than space heating.
Ignition - The initiation of combustion.
Ignition Temperature - Lowest temperature of a fuel at which combustion becomes self-sustaining.
Incomplete Combustion - The partial oxidation of the combustible constituents of a fuel.
Inhibitor - A substance which selectively retards a chemical action.
Jamb - The upright piece forming the side of an opening as of a door, window or fireplace.
K Factor - The rate of speed at which heat, measured in BTU's will pass through the material of an exterior wall.
Kiln-Dried - A method of seasoning lumber in ovens which is a faster process than air drying.
Leakage - The uncontrolled quantity of fluid which enters or leaves through the enclosure of air or gas passages.
Lining - The material used on the furnace side of a furnace wall. It is usually of high grade refractory tile or brick or plastic refractory material.
Listed - Equipment materials, or services included in a list published by an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation of products or services, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic evaluation of services, and whose listing states that either the equipment, material, or service meets appropriate designated standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose.
Low-Pressure Boiler - A boiler for generating steam at gauge pressures not in excess of 15 psi (103 kPa) or for furnishing water at a maximum temperature of 250F (121C) at a maximum gauge pressure of 160 psi (1103 kPa).
Manually Operated Damper - An adjustable damper manually set and locked in the desired position.
Masonry - Anything built of materials such as concrete, stone, brick or tile.
Masonry Chimney - A field-constructed chimney of solid masonry units, bricks, stones, listed masonry chimney units, or reinforced Portland cement concrete that is lined with suitable chimney flue liners and built in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4 of this standard.
Masonry Fireplace - A hearth and fire chamber of solid masonry units, such as bricks, stones, listed masonry units, or reinforced concrete, provided with a suitable chimney.
Masonry Fireplace Litel - The horizontal, noncombustible member, usually of masonry or steel, spanning the opening of a masonry fireplace to support the load above.
Mechanical Draft - Draft produced by a fan or an air or steam jet. When a fan is located so as to push the flue gases through the chimney or vent, the draft is forced. When the fan is located so as to pull the flue gases through the chimney or vent, the draft is induced.
Moisture - Water in the liquid or vapor phase.
Moisture Barrier - A waterproof material placed against the inner side of exterior walls to prevent moisture form forming on the wood.
Mortar - A mixture of cement, sand and water used to bond bricks and stone.
Natural Draft - Draft produced by the difference in the weight of a column of flue gases within a chimney or vent and a corresponding column of air of equal dimension outside the chimney or vent.
Natural Gas - Gaseous fuel occurring in nature.
Noncombustible Material - A material that, in the form in which it is used and under the conditions anticipated, will not ignite, burn, support combustion, or release flammable vapors when subjected to fire or heat. Materials that are reported as passing ASTM E. 136, Standard Test Method for Behavior of Materials in a Vertical Tube Furnace at 750 C, shall be considered noncombustible materials. (220:2-1).
Nonresidential Appliance, 1400F - A commercial industrial, or institutional appliance needing a chimney capable of withstanding a continuous flue gas temperature not exceeding 1400F (760C)
Nonresidential, High-Heat Appliance - A commercial, industrial, or institutional appliance needing a chimney capable of withstanding a continuous flue gas temperature exceeding 1800F (982C).
Nonresidential, Low-Heat Appliance - A commercial, industrial, or institutional appliance needing a chimney capable of withstanding a continuous flue gas temperature not exceeding 1000F (538C).
Nonresidential, Medium-Heat Appliance - A commercial, industrial, or institutional appliance needing a chimney capable of withstanding a continuous flue gas temperature not exceeding 1800F (982C).
Non-Accessible, Concealed (for Inspections) - Not capable of being exposed for inspection, maintenance, or repair without damage to the chimney or building structure or finish, or without the use of special tools.
Pellet Fuel - A solid processed fuel of specified size and composition system at a controlled rate.
Pellet Fuel-Burning Appliance - A closed combustion pellet vent or chimney-connected solid pellet fuel-burning appliance incorporating a fuel-feed control mechanism.
Pellet Vent - A venting system composed of listed, factory-built components assembled in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for conveying flue gases from a listed pellet fuel-burning appliance to the outside atmosphere.
Perfect Combustion - The complete oxidation of all the combustible constituents of a fuel, utilizing all the oxygen supplied.
Pier - A masonry pillar used to support other structural members.
Qualified Agency - Any individual, firm, corporation, or company that, either in person or through a representative, is engaged in and is responsible for the connection, venting, installation, inspection, repair, or servicing of heat-producing appliances and who is experienced in such work, is familiar with all precautions required, and has complied with all the requirements of the AHJ.
R Value - A grading standard for insulating materials. It stands for "resistance to heat flow" and is stamped on most good brands of insulation material. The higher the R value the better.
Radiant Room Heater - A room heater designed to transfer heat primarily by direct radiation.
Readily Accessible (for Inspections) - Exposed, or capable of being exposed of operation, inspection, maintenance, or repair without the use of tools to open or remove doors, panels, or coverings.
Register - In warm-air heating, a grill that allows the heated air to pass into different rooms.
Relative Humidity - The ratio of the mass of water vapor present in a unit volume of gas to the maximum possible mass of water vapor in unit volume of the same gas at the same temperature and pressure.
Residential Type Heating Appliance - Fuel-burning and electric heating appliances, not including high-pressure steam boilers, for heating building spaces having a volume of not more than 25,000 ft3 (708m3) and other heat-producing appliances of the type mainly used in residences but that might be used in other buildings, such as cooking stoves and ranges, clothes dryers, fireplace stoves, domestic incinerators, laundry stoves, water heaters and heat pumps.
Roof Jack - A factory-built assembly for conveying flue gases through a roof and that includes a flue gas passageway, an insulating means, flashing, and a cap.
Room Heater - A heating appliance intended for installation in the space being heated and not intended for duct connection.
Room Large In Comparison with the size of the Appliance - A room having a volume equal to at lest 12 times the total volume of a furnace and at least 16 times the total volume of a boiler. The total volume of the furnace or boiler is determined from the exterior dimensions and is to include a fan compartment and burner vestibule, where used. Where the actual ceiling height of a room is greater than 8 ft (2.44 m), the volume of the room is to be figured on the basis of a ceiling height of 8 feet (2.44 m).
SMOKE - Small gas borne particles of carbon or soot, less than 1 micron in size, resulting from incomplete combustion of carbonaceous materials and of sufficient number to be observable.
Smoke Chamber - The transitional area from the damper opening to the beginning of the flue liner in a fireplace system.
Smoke Developed Rating - The smoke developed rating of materials as determined by NFPA 255, Standard Method of Test OF Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials, ASTM E. 84, Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials; and UL 723, Standard for Safety Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.
Smoke Test - A procedure for ascertaining the tightness of a chimney and for detecting any cracks in a masonry chimney flue or deterioration or breaks in the integrity of a metal chimney flue, and that involves igniting a smoke bomb or building a smoky fire in a fireplace or solid fuel-burning appliance, covering the chimney termination, and checking for smoke escapade through the chimney walls.
Shingles - Small rectangular or square pieces of building material laid in overlapping rows on the roof or walls of a house.
Softwood - Cone-bearing, evergreen trees which except for the cypress and larch do not shed their needle-like leaves. See Hardwood.
Solid Fuel - Wood, coal, and other similar organic materials and any combination of them.
Solid Fuel-Burning Appliance - A chimney-connected device that burns solid fuel designed for purposes of heating, cooking, or both.
Solid Fuel Room Heater - A chimney-connected, solid fuel-burning room heater that is designed to be operated with the fire chamber closed.
Solid Masonry Construction - A bonded assembly of stones or solid masonry units.
Solid Masonry Unit - A masonry unit whose net cross-sectional area in every plane parallel to the bearing surface is 75 percent or more of its gross cross-sectional area measured in the same plane.
Spark Arresters - Screening material or a screening device attached to a chimney termination to prevent the passage of sparks and brands to the outside atmosphere.
Special Gas Vent - A gas vent for venting listed Category II, III , and IV gas appliances.
Splay - Wash.
STACK - A vertical conduit, which due to the difference in density between internal and external gases, creates a draft at its base.
STAGNATION - The condition of being free from movement or lacking circulation.
Steel Fireplace Unit - A unit consisting of a steel firebox and an air chamber adjacent to the sides and rear of the firebox, used to construct a masonry fireplace. The unit usually has ducts to circulate air to and heated air from the air chamber to the
Supplementary Boiler - A boiler, designed to burn one type of fuel (gas, oil, or solid), that is intended for supplementing a boiler burning another type of fuel (gas, oil, or solid) by means of a common heat transfer medium.
Supplementary Furnace - A furnace designed to burn one type of fuel (gas, oil, or solid) that is intended for supplementing a central warm-air furnace burning another type of fuel (gas, oil, or solid) by means of a common warm-air supply plenum.
Thimble - A fixed or removable ring, tube, or lining usually located in the hole where the chimney connector or vent connector passes through a wall or enters a chimney or vent.
Trimmer - Where referring to chimneys, the longer floor or roof framing member around a rectangular opening into which the end of a header is joined.
Type B Gas Vent - A vertical or nearly vertical gas vent of venting listed for use with Type B gas vents.
Type BW Gas Vent - A vertical or nearly vertical gas vent for venting listed gas-fired vented wall furnaces.
Type L Vent - A vertical or nearly vertical vent composed of listed factory-built components assembled in accordance with the terms of listing for conveying flue gases from oil and gas appliances or their vent connectors to the outside atmosphere.
Type 1 Clothes Dryer - A factory-built, mass-produced dryer, primarily used in a family living environment. It might or might not be coin-operated for public use and usually is the smallest unit both physically and in function.
Type 2 Clothes Dryer - A factory-built, mass-produced dryer used in a commercial business. It might or might not be operated by the public or a fired attendant. It might or might not be coin-operated and is not designed for use in an individual family living environment. It can be small, medium, or large in size.
Unit Heater - A self-contained heating appliance that might or might not include an integral fan for circulating air and that can be of the floor-mounted or suspended type that is intended for the heating of the space in which it is installed. A unit heater can be an indirect-fired fuel-burning appliance or might utilize steam, hot water, or electricity.
Unlisted Metal (Smokestack) Chimney - A manufactured or filed-constructed chimney intended only for non-residential applications having one or more metal walls, or made of metal with a refractory lining, and that is capable of withstanding the flue gas conditions of its use.
Vent - A flue gas conveying system intended for use only with certain gas, liquid, or pellet fuel-fired appliances that do not produce flue gas outlet temperatures higher than a value specified in the listing vent standards.
Vent Cap - A protective covering or housing attached to the vent termination, intended for preventing downdrafts and the entry of rain, snow, and animals.
Vent Connector - The pipe that connects a fuel-burning appliance to a gas vent or Type L vent.
Vent Gases - Products of combustion from fuel-burning appliances along with excess air, plus any dilution air in the venting system above a draft hood or draft regulator.
Vented Appliance - An indirect-fired appliance provided with a flue collar to accommodate a venting system for conveying flue gases to the outside atmosphere.
Venting - Removal of combustion products as well as noxious or toxic fumes to the outside atmosphere.
Venting System (Flue Gases) - A continuous, open passage-way from the flue collar or draft hood of a fuel-burning appliance to the outside atmosphere for the purpose of removing flue gases.
Wall Protector (Shield) - Noncombustible surfacing applied to a wall area for the purpose of reducing the clearance between the wall and a heat producing appliance.
Wash - A slight slope or beveled edge on the top surface of a chimney designed to shed water away from the flue liner.
Water Heater - A fuel-burning appliance for heating water to a temperature not more than 200F (93C)
Weep Hole - A small opening in the lower part of a retaining wall to allow drainage of excess water.
Wythe - Where referring to masonry chimneys, a course, a thickness, or a continuous vertical section of masonry separating flues in a chimney.
