Chimney breast removed by charlatan! Re-generate an old or tired space and give it a fresh breath of life. Click here for answers, information and tips

[Jos5]

Hi Docs

In the flat above mine the chimney breast has been removed at some point in history and the one below it in my flat is blocked up.

Ignoring the obvious practical difficulty here for a moment, I'm determined to have a working fireplace in my flat damit!

I'm hoping that I open mine up and then install some kind of hood inside so that I can run a flue pipe out horizontally.

A) Will this work? or will I set the whole building on fire?
B) If its at least feasible, does it have to be fan driven in some way?
C) Is there some way to force the current owners upstairs to re-enstate their chimney given that it was clearly removed illegally?
D) Any other bright ideas?

Thanks

Jos

[Freeman]

In terms of reinstating the chimney - forget it

Oh and get it commissioned by a CORGI registered installer, you wouldn't want to have to pay a big insurance claim, should anything go wrong.

[Jos5]

[quote="Freeman"]In terms of reinstating the chimney - forget it

Oh and get it commissioned by a CORGI registered installer, you wouldn't want to have to pay a big insurance claim, should anything go wrong.[/quote]

huh? I'm having a wood burner. What are your views on the other questions?

[Freeman]

Oh a woodburner - my mistake , thought you were on about gas. (which you could have)

Anyway, if you're considering an open fire or an enclosed stove, any flue would have to terminate above the roof of the building, which means you would have to seek permission from the person who owns the wall the flue will be fixed to.

Are you allowed to burn wood in your area or will the environmentalists be paying you a visit.

[Jos5]

Cheers Freeman

just to confirm - you're saying that if the flue runs out hoisontally, its ok provided that it then turns and runs up to roof level on the outside of the building? Thats actually not so much of a problem, the freeholder's generaly pretty good about that kind of thing.

Not too sure about the environmental concerns, but folks tend to have bonfires fairly regularly without a problem. Spose I can always burn coal if theres an issue.

[Freeman]

Jos5 I believe that you may be able to have your open fire, at least an enclosed stove, but like everything else you are subject to building regulations.

Without seeing the actual situation, I understand the solution to your problem is as follows - you'll have to install or construct a hood within the chimney breast directly above the fireplace and any voids above that will have to be bricked up i.e. what's left of the original chimney flue. Or at least some form of fire barrier across the old flue.

Your new flue will exit the building at an angle of 45 degrees from the new hood and into the flue running up the outside of the building, terminating above the roof, you'll also have to install adequate ventilation to the room for the fire and ensure that the hearth meets standards too.

Fires and chimneys/flues are not a simple matter and are covered by a whole host of regulations, also the position of the termination, length of flue, where the 45 degree offset is in the flue can all have an effect on the drawing capabilities of the flue. If not installed correctly you may end up with a room full of smoke should the wind change direction.

My advice to you is - consult a specialist before continuing with any installation.

[Jos5]

Thanks again Freeman, I have the bulding regs inspector coming to look at another piece of work on site next week, so will pump him for information before I go any further.