If a metal liner is not present, a clay tile liner must be present, or the chimney must be lined (Fix 4).
Use a flashlight and small mirror at the cleanout or vent connector to inspect the clay tile liner. If any of the following problems are present:
•Tile sections misaligned
•Tile sections missing
•Gaps between tile sections
•Signs of condensate drainage at the cleanout or vent connectors
•Mortar protruding from between tile sections
•Use of sewer pipe or drainage pipe rather than an approved fire clay tile reline the chimney (Fix 4).
Next, measure the size of the liner. It may be possible to do this from the cleanout. The liner must be at least as large as the minimum size established by the tables in National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1 - latest edition and in the National Standard of Canada, CAN/CSA B149.1 and CAN/CSA B149.2 - latest editions and amendments. If the liner is too small or too large, then the chimney must be relined (Fix 4).
CHECK 6 - DILUTION AIR.
If gas-fired appliances are to be vented into a clay tile liner, a source of dilution air is required.
Dilution air cannot be obtained through:
•Induced draft appliances
•Natural draft appliances with vent dampers
Sufficient dilution air can ordinarily be obtained through the draft hood of a natural draft appliance only if the appliance’s vent connector does not include a vent damper. If dilution air will not be available, the chimney must be relined (Fix 4).
CHECK 7 - COMPLETE THE INSTALLATION.
If Checks 1 through 6 have been satisfactory, and the liner is an acceptable size as determined by the tables in National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1 - latest edition and in the National Standard of Canada, CAN/CSA B149.1 and CAN/CSA B149.2 - latest editions and amendments, then the clay tile liner can probably be used as a vent for the gas appliances. However, the installer must keep in mind the following factors which may render the tile liner unsuitable for use as a vent:
•Extremely cold weather
•Long vent connectors
•Masonry chimneys with no air gap between the liner and the bricks. (In practice, this can be difficult to detect.)
•Exterior chimneys (The tables in National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1 - latest edition and in the National Standard of Canada, CAN/CSA B149.1 and CAN/CSA B149.2 - latest editions and amendments assume interior chimneys.)
If, in the judgment of the local gas utility, installer, and/or local codes; one or more of the above factors is likely to present a problem, the chimney must be relined (Fix 4).
FIX 1 - LINER TERMINATION
Any cap or roof assembly used with a liner must be approved by the liner manufacturer for such use. The liner and cap/roof assembly must then terminate above the roof in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
IO-247A
In some cases, a shorter extension above the roof may be possible with a liner than would be required with a masonry chimney.
For further information on relining, see Fix 4.
FIX 2 -CHANGE VENTING ARRANGEMENTS
If the masonry chimney has more than one channel, it may be possible to vent the gas appliances into one channel and vent the solid or liquid fuel appliance(s) into another channel(s). Do not vent an 80+ Furnace inside of a metal liner with other appliances vented outside the liner.
Alternatively, the homeowner may agree to discontinue use of the fireplace (solid fuel appliance). If so, the tile liner must be cleaned to remove creosote buildup. The fireplace opening must then be permanently sealed.
If oil-fired appliance(s) are being replaced by gas-fired appliance(s), the tile liner must first be cleaned to remove the fuel oil residue.
If none of the above options is practical, the furnace may need to be vented vertically with a B Vent.
Under some conditions, Furnace *9 could be installed rather than an *8. The * 9 can be vented horizontally or vertically through PVC pipe.
FIX 3 - REBUILD THE CROWN
If the chimney crown is damaged, a qualified mason must repair it in accordance with nationally recognized building codes or standards. One such standard which may be referenced is the Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances, ANSI/NFPA 211.
FIX 4 - RELINING
Relining options include B vent and flexible liners.
If the chimney has diagonal offsets, B vent probably cannot be used.
If B vent is to be used, it must be supported adequately. Supports (such as fire stops or thimbles) must be used to prevent the B vent from coming into direct contact with the tile liner or chimney walls. Direct contact would result in higher heat loss, with an increased possibility of poor venting system performance.
It is not acceptable to vent one appliance inside the B vent and other appliances outside. The excess space between the B vent and the chimney walls must be covered at the top of the chimney by a weatherproof, corrosion resistant flashing.
The B vent should then be topped with a listed vent cap. The listed vent cap will, when installed per the manufacturer’s instructions, prevent problems due to rain, birds, or wind effects.
A B-vent installed as described in this section is considered to be an enclosed vent system, and the sizing tables in National Fuel Gas Code NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1 - latest edition and in the National Standard of Canada, CAN/CSA B149.1 and CAN/CSA B149.2 - latest editions and amendments may be used.
If a flexible liner is to be used, it must be made of the proper materials:
•For most residential applications, an aluminum liner should be acceptable.
•If the combustion air supplied to the furnace will be contaminated with compounds containing chlorine or fluorine, a liner of AL294C stainless steel should be used. Common sources of chlorine and fluorine compounds