The Natural Philosopher wrote:

Hamish Marson wrote:


I have a victorian semi-detatched with an old fireplace in the
downstairs lounge (AT rear of building). We want to put a new fireplace
& gas fire in there.

Does the installation require a new flue, or is the existing chimney
able to be used for the gas fire without any alterations? The chimney
itself is in he centre of the house, and serves all 4 rooms in the main
part of the house (2 on ground floor, 2 on 1st floor) and has 4x
separate chimney pots at the top indicating 4 separate flues (One to
each room).

It is pretty much mandatory to line all flues these days for everything.
If the property is pre 1567, you are allowd to use a flexible flue I
think - check with buildng inspector.


The installer is so far telling us it doesn't ned anything else done to
the existing chimney, but I'd rather be safe than sorry later...


The legal issue is I think you have to line it.

Th reaosn I think are to do with fire sfaety - old chimneys - even those
using ceramic blocks - may not be able to take the heat and failing
mortar joints can cause gassing and/or ignition of nearby timberwork.
Thats the rationale. Also your gas fire is likley to want to couple up
to a round flue anyway.

I wouldn't care to have a fire insurance claim refused because I didn't
follow 'accepted' practice either.

Check this out carefully - I may be wroing, but for the few hundred to
install a linetr, I'd play safe.



Have you got a web link to the 1567 building regs I could use?

running & ducking

Bob