Smoke Chamber Code Upgrade NFPA
Smoke chamber code upgrade to bring your fireplace to compliance with NFPA standards. NFPA 211 states that all smoke chambers for wood-burning masonry fireplaces must be parged smooth with high-heat cement. Without this cement lining in the smoke chamber, small imperfections in the masonry of the fireplace or chimney can lead to devastating damage to your chimney and home.
In the smoke chamber is where the final steps of the combustion process take place. Even small unnoticeable gaps or cracks in the smoke chamber can cause serious issues.
Flammable creosote blockage buildup due to smoke not being able to quickly escape up the flue liner and out the chimney.
Heat spreading from inside the the chimney to surrounding items and nearby walls creates creates a serious risk of a house fire not to mention the carbon monoxide that could be leaking out.
Smoke Chamber NFPA Standards
Cross Section Reference: 11.2.1.3.3 – The cross sectional area of the passageway above the firebox including the throat, damper, and smoke chamber shall not be less than the cross sectional area of the flue
Thickness Reference: 11.2.1.10 – Where unlined, the smoke chamber wall thickness shall not be less than 8″
Height Reference: 11.2.1.11 – The smoke chamber height shall not be greater than the inside width of the fireplace room opening.
Depth Reference: 11.2.1.12 – The smoke chamber depth shall not be greater than the depth of the fireplace chamber.
Inner Surface Reference: 11.2.1.13 – The inner surfaces of the smoke chamber shall be parge coated smooth, with an insulating refractory mortar, and not inclined more than 45 degrees from vertical.
If you have a fireplace in your home but are not sure if it is safe for use, Chimney Champs can help! Contact us to schedule your $99 chimney sweep and inspection. We offer a wide variety of services including Level I, II and III inspections. Home of the $99 chimney sweep, Chimney Champ’s technicians are certified and all of our sweeps include a comprehensive level II inspection! That provides you with everything you would need to know you are venting safely.
What is a chimney?
When most people hear the word chimney they picture the traditional masonry chimney. While that is a correct answer, the actual definition is;
A chimney is a structure that provides ventilation for hot flue gases or smoke from a boiler, stove, furnace or fireplace to the outside atmosphere. Chimneys are typically vertical, or as near as possible to vertical, to ensure that the gases flow smoothly, drawing air into the combustion in what is known as the stack, or chimney effect.
