AC attached to chimney

[Mike Lamb]

All the buildings around and this one I looked at had a similar set up. Unfortunately, this is a 3 story bldg. and I did not go on the roof. Has anyone seen this before?

I'm thinking this is a bad set-up for several reasons but the main one being gases coming out the chimney will eat up the AC components. Four gas fired water heaters and furnaces use this chimney.

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[Tom Corrigan]

Hi Mike,

There's always:

R1001.5 Additional load.

Chimneys shall not support loads other than their own weight unless they are designed and constructed to support the additional load. Masonry chimneys shall be permitted to be constructed as part of the masonry walls or reinforced concrete walls of the building.

Ask to see the design work and permit.

Tom Corrigan

[Tom Raymond]

That almost certainly has to violate clearance requirements at the vent termination as well. At least that steel framing will hold the chimney together after the vibrations shake all the brick loose.

Tom

[plummen]

most 30 plus year old brick chimneys i look at cant hardly support themselves let alone a condensing unit hanging off of it like a cantilever ! [:-thumbd]

[Terence McCann]

You sure that's a chimney Mike? Did you enter the room directly undeneath it - the one with the window?

[Mike Lamb]

I could see the chimney from the attic. There were no signs of stress or any other problems.

[Terence McCann]

It just looks odd - like the chimney is coming straight down into the room with the window. Plus the height of the chimney off the roof is way off. You'd expect to see a brick chimney mich higher than that. What appliance was using the chimney?

[Mike Lamb]

I wish I could have got up there. There are furnaces and water heaters. Only the water heaters will be running when the AC is on.

[Darren]

There is supposed to be a 'flat' work surface at the A/C unit for repairs, maintenance plus, how's the tech gonna get there?

[Terence McCann]

There is supposed to be a 'flat' work surface at the A/C unit for repairs, maintenance plus, how's the tech gonna get there?

A ladder would get the tech up there no problem. Those units would be a piece of cake to work on as most everything is waist high.

Some of the rooftop units I worked on were in such a bad location - oy vey. I remember taking a panel off a rooftop unit and the wind ripping it out of my hands. All I could think of was "please don't let it hit the Presidents car!!".