PRE-FABRICATED FIREPLACES FOR HOME INSPECTORS
Wednesday, 1/27, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
AdvancedLearning Track
This presentation focuses on pre-fabricated fireplaces, gas log sets and log starters, the use of inserts with pre-fabricated fireplaces and common installation issues found in pre-fabricated fireplaces. There is a brief discussion of the chemistry of fire, the components of wood burning smoke and the health/safety consequences of breathing wood smoke.
There is a discussion of the ASHI SOP's Fireplace inspection requirements and limitations, a look at the IRC Code requirements for pre-fabricated fireplaces and flues and NFPA 211 inspection protocols. There is an emphasis throughout on the critical differences between site-built/masonry systems and prefabricated fireplaces and how those differences impacts home inspector reporting.
We will then take a look at what prefabricated fireplaces are and how they differ from masonry/site-built systems. The UL Standards governing pre-fabricated fireplaces and flues are discussed. There will be discussion of the importance of the manufacturers installation requirements and how proper installation impacts operational safety, compliance with the UL standards and codes. There is a discussion of the main types of flue systems used with pre-fabricated fireplaces, how to identify them, and how they function, etc. Illustrations from various manufacturers and photos are used throughout to better communicate manufacturers requirements and installation issues.
There will be a number of example photos/diagrams and discussion of each to illustrate proper and improper installations, identifying unsafe operating conditions and the consequences of improper installation. Both questions and discussion of the conditions will be encouraged throughout. Examples of reporting language that I use are made available for both discussion and inspector use.
Skip Walker, ACI, MCI is a CREIA Master Inspector, an ASHI Certifed Inspector, an ICC Certified Combination Residential Building Inspector, an ICC Certified California Residential Building Inspector and a FIRE Certified Fireplace Inspector. He has presented at a number of local, state regional and national ASHI and CREIA conferences, the National Association of Realtors®, the California Association of Realtors® and the New York City Council Building and Safety Committee on smoke alarm performance and CO poisoning issues.Skip has served in numerous capacities for CREIA and ASHI and written extensively on smoke alarms, CO issues and general inspection issues. He is the recipient of the 2014 ASHI Philip C. Monahan Award, ASHI's highest honor, the 2014 ASHI President's Award, the 2014 CREIA John Daly Award, CREIA's highest honor and the 2011 CREIA Inspector of the Year, Skip's home has ONLY photoelectric alarms installed.