18 Harman Oakwood
3-90-08327R26_03/14
VENTING
Existing Masonry Chimneys
If you plan on using an existing masonry chimney, have it 
thoroughly inspected and cleaned. Any faults which make 
the chimney unsafe and unusable must be repaired prior to 
use. These can include improper height, structural defects, 
blockages, inadequate clearance to combustibles, unsealed 
openings into other rooms of the house, signs of creosote or 
smoke leakage, a loose or absent clean-out door, or absence 
of a liner.
DO NOT CONNECT TO ANY AIR DISTRIBUTION 
DUCT OR SYSTEM
Venting to a Masonry Chimney
When connecting to a masonry chimney, several provisions 
are standard. First, whether the chimney connector is vented 
to the chimney through a thimble or a breech pipe, neither 
must  pass  beyond  the  inner  surface  of  the  chimney  liner, 
and both must be rmly cemented in place with refractory 
cement.  (A  thimble  is  a  masonry  pipe  which  is  inserted 
through  the  chimney  wall,  and  is  frequently  the  preferred 
method; a breech pipe is a piece of steel pipe used the same 
way.) In Canada, a breech pipe has ridges or protrusions to 
lock it rmly into the refractory cement. In either case, the 
chimney connector vents to the chimney through the thimble 
or breech pipe.
Using a thimble, the connector slides completely inside the 
masonry to the inner edge of the ue liner, and may be easily 
removed  for  chimney  and  connector  inspection. A  breech 
pipe must extend at least 2" (50 mm) into the room, so the 
connector can be attached with sheet metal screws.
Venting to a Masonry Fireplace Chimney
In some situations, a code compliant chimney originally used 
for a masonry replace may be used to install your Oakwood. 
In  addition  to  the  requirements  found  in  the  previous 
paragraphs, it is important to be aware that all clearances 
must be met, including those from the chimney connector to 
combustibles — 18" (360 mm) to sides and 18" (450 mm) 
to ceiling.  Do  not forget  to  include oor  protection  in your 
plans. (See Clearances and Floor Protection in this section.) 
Since many replaces have exposed wooden mantels and 
trim, pay  special  attention  to  the clearances  necessary  to 
these materials.
If your replace chimney is behind a combustible wall, you 
must  use  an  approved  wall  pass-through  system  to  gain 
access  to  the  masonry  chimney.  The  chimney  connector 
must  enter  the  chimney  at  a  place  where  it  is  lined,  and 
the replace must be made inoperable. For example, you 
might remove the damper, replacing it with a secure, airtight, 
noncombustible  seal,  like  a  steel  plate  (removable  for 
inspection); this also satises the requirement that no room air 
must be allowed to enter the chimney. Kaowool, mineral wool 
or equivalent non-combustible insulation may be installed on 
top of the plate to help minimize condensation. (Install a rain 
cap on the top of the chimney).
Installing to a Prefabricated Chimney
When venting your Oakwood using a prefabricated chimney, 
be  sure  to  contact  local  building  code  authorities,  and  to 
follow  the  manufacturer’s  instructions  exactly.  Use  only 
the manufacturer’s parts; do not use makeshift installation 
techniques. All  prefabricated  chimneys  must  be  tested  to 
either the U.S. or Canadian high-temperature standards, UL 
103 or ULC-629.
Chimney 
Connector
Clay thimble, reaching 
just to the inside of the 
chimney liner
Mechanical fasteners 
(minimum 3) but not at the 
bottom of the connector
Chimney liner 
inner edges
High-temperature 
sealant used to cement 
the clay thimble