SECTION VI - CHIMNEY DAMPERS
CHIMNEY DAMPER TYPES
Three types of chimney dampers are
commonly installed with Temp-Cast
fireplaces - roof-top dampers, sliding
dampers, and occasionally, base-exit
dampers.
Roof-top dampers are installed on
the very top of the chimney and
controlled by a stainless steel cable.
They are sold as "full-closure"
dampers, since they effectively seal
the chimney in the closed position.
However, they can be installed with
extra "stops" in the cable to control
how much the damper closes.
Sliding dampers are installed in a
masonry chimney, between two flue
tiles and are placed inside the living
area at a height for comfortable
access. The standard sliding
dampers available from Temp-Cast
have a small open area when fully
shut. (A rain cap should be used
with all sliding dampers.)
Custom-built round base-exit
dampers are usually installed in the
connection between fireplace and
chimney, in round chimney systems.
Both Sliding dampers & base-exit
dampers require periodic lubricating
with a little vegetable oil, particularly
during the summer.
USING THE CHIMNEY DAMPER
The chimney damper is designed to
be fully opened when the fire is
burning, or when there are burning
coals in the firebox. When the fire is
fully out, the chimney damper can be
completely closed, helping to retain
extra heat in the fireplace and
chimney mass.
FULL CLOSURE DAMPERS
Experienced masonry heater
operators may opt for a full-closure
damper, which will effectively seal
the chimney from escaping heat.
Operating a full closure damper
requires a certain amount of skill in
determining when it can be safely
closed.
Masonry heater owners with several
generations of experience are able to
tell by the lack of blue flame (carbon
monoxide combustion) and the
particular smell of the firebox gases,
exactly when it is safe to fully close
their chimney damper. In doing so,
they accept responsibility for careful
operation of the damper and their
own safety. If a full closure damper
is used, the operator must be
absolutely certain that all combustion
gases have been burned off before
closing the damper.
We recommend that the damper
not be closed until the fire is
completely out, and that a Carbon
Monoxide Alarm be installed in
the same room as the heater.
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