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#5 Chimneys: The Engine of The System

The chimney is the most important part of a wood burning system. It drives the system by creating draft to draw air through the appliance and keep the fire burning. A good chimney produces strong draft immediately without needing to be coaxed. It should be insulated and located inside the house to prevent creosote buildup and draft reversal. Proper chimney installation and maintenance are essential to prevent chimney fires.

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75 views4 pages

#5 Chimneys: The Engine of The System

The chimney is the most important part of a wood burning system. It drives the system by creating draft to draw air through the appliance and keep the fire burning. A good chimney produces strong draft immediately without needing to be coaxed. It should be insulated and located inside the house to prevent creosote buildup and draft reversal. Proper chimney installation and maintenance are essential to prevent chimney fires.

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#5 Chimneys

The chimney is probably the most important part of your woodburning system, more
important than your appliance! Even the most carefully designed and properly installed
appliance will not work properly or be safe if it is connected to an unsuitable chimney.
THE ENGINE OF THE SYSTEM
The chimney is what drives your wood heating system. Hot gases from the fire rise up
the chimney, creating draft. Draft is what draws air through the appliance and keeps
the fire burning well.
A GOOD CHIMNEY
A good chimney produces draft immediately. It doesn't have to be coaxed. An
appliance connected to a good chimney lights and heats up quickly. It doesn't spill out
smoke when the door is opened. A good chimney has few creosote deposits, and is
less susceptible to chimney fires. Condensation shouldn't form in a good chimney.
WHY A GOOD CHIMNEY WORKS
It's similar in size to the appliance flue collar, so gases from the appliance flow
quickly.
It's insulated, so the gases stay hot and don't condense and form creosote.
It's located inside the house to keep it warm, reduce condensation and creosote,
and prevent draft reversal.
Many people think an outside chimney is safer in the
event of a chimney fire. This is not true. Inside is better! In
fact, there is much less chance of having a chimney fire if
the chimney is located inside the house. If you must
install an exterior chimney, consider having a "chase"
built around it to protect it from wind and cold.
TYPES
Conventional Masonry Chimneys
Brick chimneys have been popular for many years. Most
masonry chimneys built since the 1950s are lined with
flue liners of clay or other materials, which improve the
durability and performance of the chimney. If you have an
older unlined masonry chimney and want to use it to vent
a woodburning appliance, it must be lined, to ensure that
the chimney is similar in size to the appliance flue collar.

Type A Chimneys
Type A metal chimneys became popular in the 1950s. They
were designed primarily for use with oil furnaces, but ended up
being used for woodburning appliances as well.
Type A chimneys cannot withstand severe chimney fires
without damage. They are not suitable chimneys for
woodburning appliances. Since 1983, chimneys specifically
designed for use with wood-fired appliances have been
required.
650C Metal Chimneys
In 1981, a new standard for factory-built chimneys was
published. This standard requires factory built chimneys to be
tested at a continuous flue gas temperature of 650C (1200F).
By 1983, this standard had been incorporated into most
building codes. A modified version of the 650C standard is
used to test chimneys for factory-built fireplaces.
The so-called 650C chimneys are much safer than the old Type A chimneys. They
use more durable stainless steel liners than Type A chimneys, and are better
insulated. Consequently, they can safely contain the temperatures common in a
chimney fire. Ironically, since 650C chimneys are better insulated, creosote tends not
to build up as readily, so chimney fires are much less likely.
Chimney termination
The top of a chimney must be at least
900 mm (3 ft.) above the point where it
contacts the roof. It must also be 600
mm (2 ft.) above any roof surface or
structure within a horizontal distance of
3 m (10 ft.). Metal chimneys need a
cap to keep water out of the space
between the inner liner and the outer
shell.
Warning SIGNS OF CHIMNEY PROBLEMS
Rapid creosote build-up
Dripping from the base of the chimney
Staining of the outer chimney shell
Sluggish draft
Smoke spill-out when the appliance door is opened
Corrosion of the outer shell of a factory built chimney

Deterioration of the brickwork of a masonry chimney


Cold air flowing down the chimney when the appliance isn't in use.
If your chimney shows any of these symptoms, consult a WETT certified professional.
And check WISE fact sheet #8, Maintaining Your Heating System, for helpful hints on
chimney and flue pipe cleaning and maintenance.
RELINING A MASONRY CHIMNEY
If you have an unlined masonry chimney, check with a WETT
certified professional to find out if it should be lined. If it's
already lined, check the condition of the liner. If it's cracked or
broken, or if it's the wrong size for your woodburning appliance,
it will need to be replaced by a suitable liner.
WHAT'S YOUR BEST DEFENSE AGAINST A CHIMNEY FIRE?
An appropriate chimney, insulated and inside the house.
Proper chimney installation.
Proper appliance operation using seasoned wood.
Proper chimney maintenance.

This fact sheet is intended only to provide an introduction to the topic of chimneys not
a "how to" manual! Be sure to consult a WETT certified professional for more detailed
information and explanations.
The WISE Fact sheet Series
1. Is Your Wood Heat Installation Safe?
2. Space Heating With Wood
3. Appliance and Flue Pipe Clearances
4. Reducing Clearances With Heat Shields
5. Chimneys
6. Flue Pipes
7. Operating Your Appliance ...Safely
8. Maintaining Your Heating System
9. Fireplaces
10. Fireplace Inserts
11. Purchasing, Processing and Seasoning Wood
12. Central Heating With Wood

WISE is supported by:


Ministry of the Solicitor General
Ministry of Housing
Ministry of Energy Ontario
Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations
Wood Energy Technical Training (WETT)
The Wood Energy Technical Training Inc, is a non-profit, educational institution
established in 1988. Provincial affiliates of WETT Inc are dedicated to chimney and
venting system safety, and to the elimination of residential chimney fires, carbon
monoxide intrusion and other chimney related hazards that result in the loss of lives
and property. WETT devotes its resources to educating the public, chimney service
professionals, and other fire prevention specialists about the prevention and correction
of chimney and venting system hazards.
WETT has developed a training and certification program for wood heat appliance
installers, inspectors, chimney sweeps and other professionals called the "Wood
Energy Technical Training" (WETT) program. Be sure that any wood heat professional
you consult is WETT certified. Look for the WETT logo, it's your best guarantee of
reliable advice. For additional information, contact:
Wood Energy Technical Training Inc at 1-888-358-9388 or fax at 1-416-968-6818 or
email at [email protected]
WETT Your Assurance of Reliable Advice

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