Faulty chimney installations spark warning
Yukon homeowners are being advised of potential fire danger from an installation technique that goes against the manufacturer’s instruction for EXCEL chimneys for woodstoves.
Yukon homeowners are being advised of potential fire danger from an installation technique that goes against the manufacturer’s instruction for EXCEL chimneys for woodstoves.
The risk is a result of the improper installation method, not the product, the City of Whitehorse and the Yukon government said in a statement released last Friday.
“If you have an EXCEL chimney that passes through a floor of your home, switch to an alternate heat source and do not use your wood stove until you can confirm the chimney was installed to the manufacturer’s specifications,” the statement advises.
Homeowners with chimneys that vent through the exterior wall or do not pass through storeys of their home (i.e., in a bungalow) are not affected.
Homeowners should contact their heating appliance or chimney installation company to determine the safety of the installation.
For assistance during business hours, Whitehorse homeowners can contact the city’s Building Inspections Department at 668-8346.
Outside of Whitehorse, they can contact the territorial building safety and standards branch toll-free at 1-800-661-0408, local 5741.
A recent fire investigation by the city fire department found a fire stop made by a contractor and installed on an EXCEL chimney without proper airspace caused a fire in the chimney support of the home.
“This improper installation technique is not detectable through the regular inspection process for chimneys, as it is concealed by the required radiation shield,” the statement said.
The city and the government are reviewing permit records to directly inform homeowners for whom this information is recorded.
“Everyone is reminded to reduce the risk of fire by never leaving an open fire place unattended or storing wood near the stove,” the statement said.
“Be sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working, and keep an appropriate fire extinguisher nearby.”
Comments (8)
Up 0 Down 0
Bill Tobey WETT guy on Jan 7, 2018 at 11:41 am
So it appears maybe the installer did not use the ICC EXCEL Attic Radiation Shield, ERS.
I wonder if insulation was direct against the chimney. Technically the Radiation Tube, ERT and the Attic Radiation Shield, ERS do not vent because they get covered, sealed with a Storm Collar, ESC.
I think the Fire Investigation might have reached an incorrect conclusion. The EXCEL chimney thru the house is not designed to vent, it is sealed. BUT the Attic Radiation Shield is designed to keep insulation 2" from the Chimney.
Up 3 Down 0
My Opinion on Dec 31, 2017 at 4:33 pm
@BnR
No that is not how it works. If something has to be seen by the inspectors it is up to the inspectors to make sure it is accessible for them to see. That is why you cannot coverup electrical or plumbing until inspections are complete. City building inspectors dropped the ball completely, don't blame the contractors.
Up 4 Down 0
My Opinion on Dec 31, 2017 at 4:28 pm
Don't make the public go do it. City of Whitehorse and YTG get your A** out there and inspect them like you were paid to do in the first place.
My lord they expect us to do it when they said they can't tell.
"Do not use your wood stove until you can confirm the chimney was installed to the manufacturer’s specifications,”. “This improper installation technique is not detectable through the regular inspection process for chimneys, as it is concealed by the required radiation shield,” the statement said.
So how on earth are we supposed to see it? Get out there and do your job or get another one.
Up 2 Down 0
Woodcutter on Dec 31, 2017 at 12:28 am
An inspection by a certified WETT inspector, who would ensure the installation was done according to the installation instructions is the best inspection for peace of mind, and is required by insurance companies. The city inspectors only inspect according to their code, which in some cases does not have the same requirements as the manufacturer installation instructions. Saying this, the contractor probably did not follow the instructions.
Up 3 Down 0
Groucho d'North on Dec 29, 2017 at 6:35 pm
BNR,
Yeah, I read that too, but think for a moment like an insurance investigator who is required by his or her employer to find exactly what went wrong in the installation of said heating system and chimney which contributed to a home they insured to burn to the ground (option here to include deceased persons who may have lived in the home at the time of the fire) after all the prescribed processes had been followed as required by regulation and bylaw. Something is faulty with the inspection process if these faults occur. Perhaps the inspection needs to be performed prior to the next steps being performed by the installation contractor. Whatever is decided to be the required process will always be better than than the Fire Chief or Fire Marshal reporting faulty installation as the cause of death.
Up 2 Down 1
BnR on Dec 28, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Groucho, from the article:
“This improper installation technique is not detectable through the regular inspection process for chimneys, as it is concealed by the required radiation shield,”
At some point, there has to be certainty that the installer knows what they are doing.
Up 3 Down 1
ProScience Greenie on Dec 28, 2017 at 11:37 am
Shouldn't the businesses in town that sell and install this product do the decent thing and go through their client list and notify all those that have this product in their homes? I'm sure there are a few good contractors doing this but there's also a lot of shifty contractors that couldn't be bothered once they get your money.
Up 4 Down 0
Groucho d'North on Dec 28, 2017 at 8:46 am
Sounds to me that the various inspectors who are supposed to be experts in these matters need to go get some training so they can make their inspections more exacting. After all, they are the government authority who determines if the work performed was correct and if the home is safe to live in.