venting fan into chimney

[dellboy78]

I've just been asked to fit an extractor fan venting into a chimney breast. I'm pretty sure that's not allowed but don't have my building regs book with me to look it up. Does anybody know the answer??

 

[Silly Sausage]

I was told by a Building Inspector once that it's not allowed.
Had to put it through a window in the end.

 

[Thomas123]

I wouldn't do that even if it was allowed, when the extractor is not running the smoke will come through fan

 

[dellboy78]

There was a plaster vent there anyway so the chimney looks to be disused. I agree though, and don't want to install the fan. Was just hoping to get a reg number to back me up. Cheers.

 

[Geordie Spark]

There was a plaster vent there anyway so the chimney looks to be disused. I agree though, and don't want to install the fan. Was just hoping to get a reg number to back me up. Cheers.

Sorry I can't help you with a Reg. Number, but I'm sure it isn't allowed and it's not something that I would do myself. I would be a bit concerned about condensation forming inside the chimney and causing problems with dampness.

 

[Steve_P]

Regulation or not, if you poke warm moist air up a cold chimney breast you're going to have a problem with damp.

Ah, looks like I typed too slowly and got beaten to it there.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Had a quick shufty at Part F, couldn't find owt.
I think the problem might be to do with grease build up, leading to the possibility of a flue fire. (???)

 

[Geordie Spark]

Regulation or not, if you poke warm moist air up a cold chimney breast you're going to have a problem with damp.

Ah, looks like I typed too slowly and got beaten to it there.

I'm pleased that you posted. It's always nice to have a second opinion.

 

[Steve_P]

Great minds on POETS day is rare let alone thinking alike.

 

[Geordie Spark]

There was a plaster vent there anyway so the chimney looks to be disused. I agree though, and don't want to install the fan. Was just hoping to get a reg number to back me up. Cheers.

Yes, that plaster vent is to keep the chimney ventilated so as to help prevent dampness. Some folk think it's just to ventilate the room though - which of course it will do.

 

[dellboy78]

The condensation was what I was thinking, although the grease build up is a good point that I'd not thought of before. Oh well, shot myself in the foot, gotta core a hole out now!!

 

[Knobhead]

The BIL tried it. OK for about 6 months then a lovely black mark on the bedroom wall.

 

[Stroppy]

My brother's kitchen fitters, bless 'em, vented his fan into the disused chimney, which sounds fine, with its natural draw and large volume to take steam and stuff away. Unfortunately the fan soon gave out as it got clogged with all the loose mortar, soot fragments, and all the other detritus that comes down an old chimney, no matter how well swept before hand. If it IS allowed in the regs, it shouldn't be!

 

[telectrix]

just use a long length of ducting, right to the top. :drool5:

 

[Stroppy]

Invisible extra expense for the kitchen fitter?! Pffft, as if!

 

[Steve_P]

just use a long length of ducting, right to the top. :drool5:

And a gert big jet engine sort of fan on the top to make sure it clears everything. Just warn the customer not to stand too near the extractor, they'll be ok.

 

[PEG]

Not allowed.Seen plenty of shower fans exhausted into lofts and dehumidfiers venting to sub-floor.But nowt smelled like the washing machine i found that had been piped to the cellar conversion tanking sump.Think kermitts undies...

 

[Stroppy]

Eww nasty! Reminds me of an old folks' home I had to do some work in: every en-suite extractor fan from about 12 rooms vented into the attic space where I was running new cables for downlights. The pong was unbelievable, particularly on Fridays as Thursday night had vegetable curry on the menu...