Securing Fire Brick

junior437t

Where I work, we have 12 Heatilator fireplaces. The units range in age from 10 years old to1 year old. The "fire brick" liners are starting to crumble. Some of them are cracked and some of them are crumbling in the center of the back wall. The liners are 3 piece units, the back and each side. The liners are about 1/2 inch thick. The back is about 18" wide by about 24 inches high. The back section is held in place by the side pieces. I havecalled Heatilator and they tell me they do not have the liner sections for the older units any longer. They suggest we replace the entire unit, the boss is not going for that idea. I can get 4" by 8" by 1 1/4" firebrick for less than $2 each. I am looking for ideas of how to secure these. I realize that if I lay them like regular brick, the mortar will expand and contract differently and will crack. Is there some type of "adhesive" that I could order to "glue" the brick to the steel walls? I am thinking along the lines of putting a "spot" of glue on the liner and the pressing the brick in place. I looked at Lowes, Tractor Supply Company and found nothing. I asked at a "Stove Store" and they said that I should just replace the entire unit. That would be a major project and very expensve. Thanks

mdshunk

A Heatilator fireplace is UL listed assembly. Cobbeling someting together will void the UL rating, and set you (or your boss) up for great liability. Lacking the proper repair parts, you have two options. Take the units out of service, or replace them in their entirety.

Tscarborough

You are out of luck. Do not attempt to use normal firebrick to repair these units, they must be replaced or not used.

junior437t

Replacing the fireplaces would be a major undertaking the way they were built in, so I will have to find another solution. If we are forced to replace these units, can anyone offer suggestions as to a better brand of unit? We have one of the units that was installed this spring and the firebrick are already cracked. Heatilator says "we should not have built such a hot fire". Since they are "weekend rental" units, it is hard to control how hot a fire is built. We do not supply very seasoned wood. The fireplaces are included in the advertisements for the cottages so it will be up to me to find a solution that keeps them in the cabins and available for use. I wonder if installing propane logs in the fireplaces would work. The gas supplier in this area brings the tank and unloads it where you tell them. It is up to the customer to level the tank, run the line, install the regulator and install the appliance. The only supplier is Southern States Co-Op. I know that other Southern States offices do the complete install but this one does not.

mdshunk

Since you cannot control how hot of a fire the guest will build, and Heatilator says that is important, you are left with few choices:

• build masonry fireplaces, where they can build whatever inferno (within reason) they want to.
• install propane gas fireplaces, where the temperature has a designed limit that cannot be exceeded.
• install a realistic picture of a fire where the fireplace used to be, and tell the guests to think warm thoughts.

Tscarborough

Good gas logs satisfy 99% of persons in that setting, so that would be my recommendation. As for the units you have, you can get refactory panels made, but the cost is about the same as a new crap (sorry, I meant "Zero Clearance") fireplace.

CJKarl

For the few heatalators I've repaired, we just ended up ripping out the metal box and rebuilding with masonry.

__________________
There's Always A Market For Quality
http://www.kaufmannmasonry.com/

stacker

i agree with the gas logs.beside satisfing the people,they are about 97% effecient now.install ventless,and you should have much worry.

__________________
life is short,do your masonry naked!!
http://ok.local.yahoo.biz/knabemasonry/index.html

junior437t

I talked with a Heatilator distributer today about the repairs. They told me that the only difference between the 10 year old units and the 1 year old units is the color of the "Back Refractory". The distributer told me that the color might not match the sides. After a fire is built in them, I cant imagine much difference in the colors. The cost for these is only $35.00. I will be ordering repair parts tomorrow.

tkle

I believe some of these panels need to be cured in the begining by having a small fire and slowly heating them up.I wouldn't count on a guest to do that.

Chimney Monkey

The refractory panels in U.L. Listed factory-built fireplaces (should not call them "zero-clearance" because they are not) should be replaced with replacement parts from the manufacturer. If no longer available, there are "universal" panels available which are cut to fit the particular fireplace model.

Hairline cracks are not a problem. If the panels are broken or deteriorated they do need to be replaced.

Non-vented gas logs installed in a factory-built fireplace can be very dangerous! Operation with the damper closed will result in much higher temperatures in the firebox and smoke dome than designed to handle.
The "header" area is the most vulnerable. Do not accept a blanket approval by the log manufacturer to install in any factory-built fireplace. Only install if the manufacturer's tag on the fireplace allows for non-vented gas logs. Older fireplaces built before the "room vented" or "lung vented" gas logs came onto the market will not be suitable.

As far as the rental units, many people with allergies or respiratory problems will be adversely affected by non-vented gas appliances.

I recommend you contact a professional Chimney Sweep. Search for a NCSG member or CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep in your area. Improper modification of factory-built fireplaces create major health, safety, and liability problems. Don't play with fire!

Jeff in Kentucky
retired after 30 years in the "soot mines"

raylee2626

I too have a number of Heatilator 36 inch fireplaces and got the same run around.

In retrospect I wouldn't put another one in when the parts become unavailable as rapidly as they do.

I did however come up with a great solution that not only meets but exceeds code and costs about the same as replacement fire panels ( if you can find then)

I just had the floor sides and back made from solid 5/8" steel. It's bullet proof and should outlast me.

You can have them made at any fabricating shop just bring them the old panels or templates.

Good luck

raylee2626

[quote=raylee2626;174331]I too have a number of Heatilator 36 inch fireplaces and got the same run around.

In retrospect I wouldn't put another one in when the parts become unavailable as rapidly as they do.

I did however come up with a great solution that not only meets but exceeds code and costs about the same as replacement fire panels ( if you can find then)

I just had the floor sides and back made from solid 5/8" steel. It's bullet proof and should outlast me.

You can have them made at any fabricating shop just bring them the old panels or templates.

The only difficult cut is the notching on the side panels but they can be cut straight and set in stove cement or welded.

Good Luck