Goverment's Attack on S'mores!!

Have you noticed a difference in new home fireplaces lately?

 

The Government is putting an end to romantic evenings in front of the fireplace as well as family nights with popcorn and s'mores on the hearth.

 

 

The 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) has now been adopted by over 30 states across the country, including Georgia. It aims to increase building energy efficiency through more stringent building codes. One of the provisions in the code is to prohibit the installation of open wood-burning fireplaces in family homes. While the code doesn’t prohibit the installation of wood-burning fireplaces, it does require that they not be open.

 

The provision appears in the code as follows:

 

     402.4     Air Leakage (Mandatory)

    

     402.4.3  Fireplaces. New wood-burning fireplaces
                   shall have gasketed doors and    

                   outdoor combustion air.

 

In Georgia, some builders have incurred additional costs as the open fireplace provision is being enforced. The code was implemented due to the net heat loss that open fireplaces cause when they pull conditioned air from the home.

 

This air leakage does not meet with IECC standards which is why the ban on open fireplaces appears in the air leakage section. Having a wood-burning fireplace with gasketed doors will help to prevent air leakage.

 

The most concern centers around the sealed doors and not s'mores. While the intent of the code is that the fireplace be sealed

New Sealed Door Fireplace

when not in use is clear to the industry, it may not be clear to the homeowner. Our fear is that the fireplace will be operated with the doors closed. Independent test have shown that the heat generated in that condition could cause failure of some manufactured units and untimely deterioration of masonry units. The question now is how do we seal the fireplace when not in use? Several code officials have suggested a variety of items from large fireplace covers that would be removed to use the unit, red decals on the doors that tell the homeowner to leave the doors open during a fire and better designed dampers and flue systems.

 

If you want a home where you can sit on the hearth with your kids and cook s’more over your open fire to your heart’s contentment or spend a romantic winter night on the bear rug in front of an open crackling fire with a nice glass of wine, give me a call, Bill Borden Real Estate Broker and protector of the s’mores and romance for over 35 years! Click Here