ASHI ASHI Fireplaces & Solid Fuel Burning Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does white staining (efflorescence) on the exterior of a masonry chimney typically indicate?
- Water is penetrating the masonry and leaching out soluble salts (Correct answer)
- The chimney is overheating from excessive use
- Mortar was mixed with too much lime
- The flashing was improperly installed
Correct answer: Water is penetrating the masonry and leaching out soluble salts
Efflorescence is caused by water moving through masonry and depositing dissolved salts on the surface as it evaporates.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a smoke shelf in a traditional masonry fireplace?
- To catch downdrafts and debris and redirect them back up the flue (Correct answer)
- To support the damper assembly
- To increase the firebox volume for larger fires
- To provide a combustion air inlet
Correct answer: To catch downdrafts and debris and redirect them back up the flue
The smoke shelf catches falling debris and redirects downdrafts, preventing cold air from pushing smoke into the living space.
Question 3: A home inspector finds that the flue liner in a masonry chimney is missing. What is the recommended action?
- Report it as a deficiency and recommend evaluation by a qualified chimney specialist (Correct answer)
- Note it as cosmetic and move on
- Test it with a smoke bomb to check for gaps
- Only report it if solid fuel appliances are connected
Correct answer: Report it as a deficiency and recommend evaluation by a qualified chimney specialist
A missing flue liner is a significant safety deficiency because it allows heat and gases to contact combustible materials; a chimney specialist should evaluate and remediate.
Question 4: According to ASHI Standards, which of the following is within the scope of a chimney inspection?
- Inspecting the readily accessible portions of the flue from above and below (Correct answer)
- Video scanning the full length of the flue liner
- Measuring flue gas temperatures
- Testing the airtightness of the damper seal
Correct answer: Inspecting the readily accessible portions of the flue from above and below
ASHI limits the chimney inspection to visual examination of readily accessible portions from the firebox opening and the chimney top.
Question 5: What is the minimum height a chimney must extend above a roof surface within 10 feet, per NFPA 211?
- 2 feet above the highest point of the roof within 10 feet (Correct answer)
- 3 feet above the roof deck
- 18 inches above the ridge line
- 1 foot above any adjacent structure
Correct answer: 2 feet above the highest point of the roof within 10 feet
NFPA 211 requires the chimney to terminate at least 2 feet above any portion of the roof within a 10-foot horizontal radius.
Question 6: An inspector notes that the hearth extension in front of a wood-burning fireplace is only 12 inches deep. What is the concern?
- It is undersized; NFPA 211 requires at least 16–20 inches depending on fireplace opening size (Correct answer)
- It must be exactly 12 inches to meet code
- Hearth extension depth is not regulated
- The extension must match the firebox width exactly
Correct answer: It is undersized; NFPA 211 requires at least 16–20 inches depending on fireplace opening size
NFPA 211 requires hearth extensions to extend at least 16 inches in front of small fireplace openings and 20 inches for larger openings to contain embers.
ASHI ASHI Fireplaces & Solid Fuel Burning Systems 2
What does white staining (efflorescence) on the exterior of a masonry chimney typically indicate?