flue vs. duct for boiler / hot water heater - HELP

Our brick chimney was removed, as it was a major hazard since it was pulling away from the rear of the house. We just finished a major renovation, with the exception of replacing the flue to vent the boiler and two hot water heaters. Our contractor keeps citing his guy / supplier is holding the project up and that’s why it hasn’t been installed yet. As I can feel Fall in the air, I’m getting nervous about when / if / how this will be installed on time. GC is now recommending installing a galvanized steel DUCT instead of galvanized steel FLUE. He said he can “buy a heavy duty double wall construction to match the strength and durability.” Thoughts? What exactly is the difference? Any safety concerns with the duct? Also, do all 3 (boiler and two hot water heaters) vent out the same flue? Any advice about this much appreciated. Thanks!

ps158

in Plumbers and Plumbing 9 years and 9 months ago

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ps158 | 9 years and 8 months ago

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And to restate – we’re looking to vent the boiler / hot water heaters off the rear of the house. We previously had a brick chimney off the rear that pulled away from the house, so we had that removed. We do not want to brick it in again, as we live near a subway line, and we believe the chimney was falling off due to the vibrations from the subway.

ps158 | 9 years and 8 months ago

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Hi Master Plvmber, Boiler: Weil-McLein / Model #: EG/PEG-40 *OR* EG/PEG-45 (not sure which, as it’s not marked on the sticker) Series #: 5 We also have 2 Hot Water Heaters: AO Smith / Model #: XCVX 50 100 Our gas appliances include: 2 dryers, 2 gas ranges, steam heating (radiators) for 3 floors of typical row house in Brooklyn. Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I’m going to hire someone else since my contractor isn’t delivering on this. Should I be calling a plumber or chimney company?

Master Plvmber | 9 years and 9 months ago

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> “GC is now recommending installing a galvanized steel DUCT instead of galvanized steel FLUE. He said he can ?buy a heavy duty double wall construction to match the strength and durability.?

This is terrifying. Brooklyn is still filled with unqualified contractors who get all the work they want. Any licensed mechanical person knows how to handle this properly without making dangerous recommendations. Instead, your “GC” has you on the internet asking anonymous people for suggestions because even you’ve got to know he’s wrong. Sorry. This is just a sore spot with me. You need to open the boiler manual and read the venting section for all related requirements, then ask your installer about conforming your job to DoB Codes, or post the model number here and I’ll help you if I can. Make sure your job is inspected by a Dept of Buildings inspector and not self-certified by the contractors you’ve hired.

ellenlourie | 9 years and 9 months ago

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construction of chimneys is governed by NYC fuel gas code and NFPA54 http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/pdf/fuel_code.pdf http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=54&tab=editions you can learn about construction of chimneys by studying these documents, or your GC might educate himself.

eman134 | 9 years and 9 months ago

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For a conventional boiler and hot water heaters you would use B Vent of an appropriate size…I assume that is what your contractor is suggesting. You my be required to enclose it in order to alleviate condensation and rust damage http://www.mtlfab.com/bvent.php

ps158 | 9 years and 9 months ago

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It’s a new, just purchased this year, gas-fired Weil-Mclein. I don’t know the model #, I can get it tonight if that’s helpful. It supports a 3-story, 2-family house. The hot water heaters (two of them) are AO Smith. Again, can get model #s if needed.

steam_man | 9 years and 9 months ago

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What kind of boiler do you have? Condensing or not (older type cast iron boiler)?