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Prefab Chimneys
(aka Zero Clearance Fireplaces) |
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Prefab fireplace/chimney systems generally
consist of a metal firebox with either metal or refractory panels on the sides,
back and floor, a dual or triple wall metal flue pipe and a chimney termination
cap. They are typically found in homes built during and after the 1970's
or during a remodel. The components have been tested by the fireplace manufacturer and carry a UL
listing. For safety and liability reasons these systems should never be
modified. While this
page provides very good information about the prefab chimney systems, we
strongly recommend going to some of our more detailed pages about prefabs,
such as the Prefab Chimney Characteristics
page and the Prefab Refractory Panel
Replacement page that shows a complete set of refractories being
replaced in a prefab fireplace. |
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Shown
below are the two types of prefab fireplace installations: one with a
surrounding housing called a 'chase', and the other with the metal flue pipe
extending up above the roofline... |
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Left: Exploded
view of a prefab chimney system with a chase and chase cover.
Above & Below:
Two examples of this type of prefab system.
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| Left:
Exploded View of a prefab chimney with no chase.
Above & Below: Two Examples of prefab metal
chimney flues without chases.
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is a very typical appearance of a modern prefab fireplace.
A prefab
fireplace may or may not have glass
doors. Most of the older prefab fireplaces were not designed to have
doors. Gas logs can
be a perfect compliment to the prefab fireplace, since by design they
maintain a lower heat temperature than burning wood. |
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Shown here are the sidewalls and
backwall removed from a prefab fireplace.
The refractory panels (walls and floor)
seen on the inside of the fireplace are typically around an inch thick. These panels
can also be made out of metal--especially on the older prefab fireplaces.
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Click here
to see all of the pictures of the
replacement of the refractory panels in a prefab fireplace. |
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Notes |
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Prefab fireplaces
are not designed to handle extremely high temperatures. It is
recommended to only burn 2 or 3 small pieces of wood at a time, or 1
manufactured log at a time, such as Duraflame or Pine Mountain. |
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If the refractory
panels do crack, if the thickness of the crack is the thickness of a
nickel or more it should be replaced. Be aware that many
manufacturers will only sell the panels as a complete set (backwall, 2
sidewalls, floor panel, and possibly ashlip). |
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Aftermarket
nonfactory glass doors are not recommended to be installed on a prefab
fireplace. They can cause the system to overheat, and since the
system was not tested and approved with them any warranty or listing may
be void. |
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Never have any
part of the system replaced with anything other than those that have
been made and approved by the manufacturer to be installed on your
specific system. This applies to chimney caps, refractories, glass
doors, and chimney flue pipe. |
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Click
here
to visit the
Prefab Chimney Characteristics
Page.
Click
here
to visit the
Prefab Refractory Panel Replacement
Page.
Click
here
to return to
Swede Chimney Sweep Home Page.
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