Do I Need to Add Another Chimney?

Tdevery · Post by **Tdevery** » Mon. Jan. 19, 2009 9:04 pm

My home was built in 44' with an old coal stove. I t 's apparent by the round pad and two sides of the coal bin still standing.
So I think I am good to go with a coal burner as far as the chimney is concerned.
My question: I want to keep the current oil furnace as a backup.
Do I need to add another chimney?

Trimmer · Post by **Trimmer** » Mon. Jan. 19, 2009 9:07 pm

The code book says yes!

Tdevery · Post by **Tdevery** » Mon. Jan. 19, 2009 9:14 pm

Ok, than what would be the correct route, new for coal or oil burner.
Also what material is everyone using?
I do not want to add another masonry chimney.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Mon. Jan. 19, 2009 9:24 pm

Power vent the oil burner and put the coal appliance into the chimney.

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Mon. Jan. 19, 2009 9:33 pm

Power vent the oil burner and put the coal appliance into the chimney.

Second that plan!

rockwood · Post by **rockwood** » Mon. Jan. 19, 2009 9:40 pm

Tdevery,
Just curious to know exactly what type of stove, furnace, etc. you plan to put in?

Edit: Sorry, I see this question has been sort of answered on another thread.

Tdevery · Post by **Tdevery** » Tue. Jan. 20, 2009 7:28 am

Well, might as well answer this here.
I currently run an Axeman-Anderson oil burner, yea I thought that strange too.
I was leaning towards the ASH-130. Like the compactness and efficiency.
I read another post on power venting. sounds good.
Chimney is on the outside. 7" galvanized pipe for the oil burner.
Like to plumb it in tandem to keep the hot water.

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Tue. Jan. 20, 2009 9:56 am

Hot water for DHW or just for baseboard hot water backup?

Paulie · Post by **Paulie** » Tue. Jan. 20, 2009 11:06 am

Check your local codes. Here in MA, you can run a solid fuel device in the same chimney as the oil.....but, the chimney
must have the capacity to run both at the same time and the solid fuel exhaust must enter the chimney like 18" above the
oil device. You also can use the same chimney and not run both at the same time. I would head on down to your local building
department and get the info.

Yanche · Post by **Yanche** » Tue. Jan. 20, 2009 1:06 pm

Are you sure of that? Here's the specific section of Mass. Code. My bold highlights added. To mention of solid fuel and oil. Do you know of a document the allows it?

Begin quote ...........

3610.6.10 Multiple flue connections: A solid fuel-burning appliance and a fossil fuel-burning appliance shall not be vented into a common flue of a masonry chimney unless such common connection is allowed by 248 CMR or 527 CMR as applicable. If allowed, the common flue shall be of such size to serve all appliances connected if such appliances were operated simultaneously.
Note that 248 CMR and 527 CMR are enforced by Gas Inspectors and the Heads of Fire Departments, respectively.

End quote

From 527 CMR

Begin quote .........

Two or more oil-burning appliances may be connected to a single chimney provided sufficient draft is available for safe combustion in each appliance and all products of combustion are safely removed to the outdoors.

End quote.

Berlin · Post by **Berlin** » Tue. Jan. 20, 2009 1:15 pm

i wouldn't worry about "code". it was written primarily to prevent uncontrollable chimney fires from attaching wood-burning appliances to a flue used by appliances that burned other fuels. If the chimney has sufficient draft, I would connect both at the same time and never look back. It's far more convenient, no powervent needed, and in most cases will work very well. I have three appliances connected to one flue in my home and it has worked perfectly, I have also seen dozens of installations like this and all of them have performed flawlessly.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Tue. Jan. 20, 2009 1:54 pm

Tdevery wrote:Do I need to add another chimney?

Let's hear about your chimney, how tall is it, what size is it and what if anything is it lined with? Is it attached to the side of the house or in the center more or less? If it is a tall chimney with a medium or large flue and it is in the house, more than likely it will work. If is small, short and attached to the outside of the home, it probably won't.

I have a Burnham Boiler manual with their recommended install, here is a link to it. The legal boilerplate is in there.

Is the Dealer's Venting Advice Correct?

Paulie · Post by **Paulie** » Tue. Jan. 20, 2009 2:41 pm

Yanche wrote:Are you sure of that? Here's the specific section of Mass. Code. My bold highlights added. To mention of solid fuel and oil. Do you know of a document the allows it?

Begin quote ...........

3610.6.10 Multiple flue connections: A solid fuel-burning appliance and a fossil fuel-burning appliance shall not be vented into a common flue of a masonry chimney unless such common connection is allowed by 248 CMR or 527 CMR as applicable. If allowed, the common flue shall be of such size to serve all appliances connected if such appliances were operated simultaneously.
Note that 248 CMR and 527 CMR are enforced by Gas Inspectors and the Heads of Fire Departments, respectively.

End quote

From 527 CMR

Begin quote .........

Two or more oil-burning appliances may be connected to a single chimney provided sufficient draft is available for safe combustion in each appliance and all products of combustion are safely removed to the outdoors.

End quote.

Yes I am sure, picked up the info pack at builders office. I was surprised myself.

Berlin · Post by **Berlin** » Tue. Jan. 20, 2009 2:49 pm

Coaledsweat is right, let's hear about the chimney and we will be able to make a more informed and accurate reccomendation.

Tdevery · Post by **Tdevery** » Tue. Jan. 20, 2009 5:46 pm

Here is a photo of my chimney.
It's way to cold to climb up on the roof to see the inside of the chimney.
I cleaned it this last summer and I think it's about 12" x 12"
Not too sure of what material is inside the flue. Built 1944

Do I Need to Add Another Chimney?

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