Director's Advisory FS-171-10 - Use Of Chimneys with Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces

Started by Admin, January 23, 2010, 10:03:50 PM

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Directors Advisory FS-171-10  - Use of Existing Chimneys with Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces

You can download the Director's Advisory FS-171-10 - Here

QuoteAll equipment covered under Ontario Regulation 212/01 – "Gaseous Fuels" and Ontario Regulation 211-01 – "Propane Storage and Handling" shall be approved. These regulations state: "No person shall offer for sale, sell, lease, rent or install an appliance, equipment or thing unless it is approved or will be approved prior to being put into use.  

It has been brought to the attention of The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) that some Direct Vented Gas-Fireplaces are using existing masonry and factory built chimneys as their outdoor air conduit for combustion. These chimneys are connected to the fireplace via kits similar to the ones manufactured by Simpson Dura Vent. The model numbers for these kits are the 46DVA Series.  
The certification standards for Direct Vented Gas Fireplaces require that the vent/air intake pipes are to be supplied as part of the direct vent system and a leakage test be performed on the fireplace which includes the vent/air intake pipes.  

The use of existing chimneys does not satisfy either of these requirements. Further more there is no way to ensure existing chimneys meet the leakage requirements which is a fundamental principal on how a balanced flue system works.

Though instructions for the use of these kits have been found in certified instructions, TSSA will be treating any such installation as unapproved since it is not in compliance with the certification standard.  Any installation discovered in the Province of Ontario shall be treated as an unacceptable condition which is an immediate hazard and the fuel supply terminated as per Section 13 of Ontario Regulation 212/01.