ᐅ Chimney – Planning Errors by Architects or General Contractors
Created on: 17 Mar 2018 00:23
A
Arifas
Hello,
The architect of our general contractor designed a stainless steel external flue for a chimney that was originally planned for the first floor. Yesterday, we received an email stating that the flue pipe required for the chimney we chose is so long that it extends far above the roof, causing structural issues. This is very different from what was shown in the plans for the building permit / planning permission, which we had approved. See plan.
Honestly, we are frustrated that the pipe now extends so extremely high, and we believe the architect should have known this in advance and informed us about the problem. We would have preferred a masonry chimney flue instead. Instead, we are being blamed that this problem arose because of the height of our chimney (the outlet is at 1.65 m (5 feet 5 inches) height). That can’t be correct, can it?! This is a completely normal chimney height, which an architect must account for when planning a chimney.
Our next question is whether there is anything that can be done to possibly shorten the flue pipe?
The architect of our general contractor designed a stainless steel external flue for a chimney that was originally planned for the first floor. Yesterday, we received an email stating that the flue pipe required for the chimney we chose is so long that it extends far above the roof, causing structural issues. This is very different from what was shown in the plans for the building permit / planning permission, which we had approved. See plan.
Honestly, we are frustrated that the pipe now extends so extremely high, and we believe the architect should have known this in advance and informed us about the problem. We would have preferred a masonry chimney flue instead. Instead, we are being blamed that this problem arose because of the height of our chimney (the outlet is at 1.65 m (5 feet 5 inches) height). That can’t be correct, can it?! This is a completely normal chimney height, which an architect must account for when planning a chimney.
Our next question is whether there is anything that can be done to possibly shorten the flue pipe?
ypg schrieb:
And the chimney starts on the ground floor—does that have to be for structural reasons? Is it not possible to start an internal flue on the upper floor? And what conflicts with a piano there? The heat?We were told that it has to start on the ground floor. Yes, exactly, the heat is not acceptable for the piano.
T
toxicmolotof17 Mar 2018 11:59We could spend pages discussing what skills an architect “must” have (a freelance profession, similar to a doctor), which laws regulate chimneys (or don’t, compare with the local chimney sweep master), and what responsibilities are excluded.
I just researched this on Google. In 5 minutes, I learned the following:
1) The responsible person is the MEP planner (mechanical, electrical, plumbing specialist), not the architect. This might sound odd for a solid fuel stove chimney, but it is considered part of the technical system. Alternatively, the stove manufacturer or seller should provide minimum technical specifications.
2) The design of the flue is determined by the local chimney sweep. They are responsible for the building inspection approval.
I just researched this on Google. In 5 minutes, I learned the following:
1) The responsible person is the MEP planner (mechanical, electrical, plumbing specialist), not the architect. This might sound odd for a solid fuel stove chimney, but it is considered part of the technical system. Alternatively, the stove manufacturer or seller should provide minimum technical specifications.
2) The design of the flue is determined by the local chimney sweep. They are responsible for the building inspection approval.
toxicmolotow schrieb:
1) The person responsible is the MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) engineer, not the architect. It might sound odd for a solid fuel stove chimney, but it is part of the building services system. Alternatively, the stove manufacturer or seller should provide the minimum technical specifications.
2) The design of the flue is determined by the local chimney sweep. They are responsible for the building inspection approval. This was neither about the technical planning and detailed design nor the building inspection approval.
It kind of sounds like a designer could plan a house without heating (even though the client says, “I want heating”) and then say: “Well, heating is part of the building services system, so that’s not my responsibility. It’s on the MEP engineer…”
An architect is still an engineer with a diploma (or nowadays an M.Sc.) and this qualification alone obligates them to take responsibility in certain areas. That might be different in business administration...
... and I don’t know what that has to do with a medical doctor. But if you go to a doctor with a fever and a bad cough, and they don’t listen to you, don’t check your temperature, and just send you home—and you end up hospitalized with pneumonia the same day—then you can be sure that doctor will have some serious trouble. Referring to specialists like pulmonologists won’t help in that case...
Sometimes it really takes more than just spending five minutes asking Aunt Google. [emoji6]
Why should I then go to the general contractor? I am paying an additional fee precisely because I don’t want to research everything myself....
If I receive a picture of a house where the chimney is "short," I assume that this is how it will be delivered...
Otherwise, I might as well manage all contracts individually and do all the research myself.
If I receive a picture of a house where the chimney is "short," I assume that this is how it will be delivered...
Otherwise, I might as well manage all contracts individually and do all the research myself.
T
toxicmolotof17 Mar 2018 14:11Even a general contractor cannot override the laws of physics. Who’s to say that person is actually an architect? Depending on the state, that’s not even required. The fact is: it doesn’t work any other way. For anyone. What is he supposed to do now and how? And at whose expense (sunk costs)?
And @ruppsen
I’ll tell you what happens to medical professionals... nothing at all. I went to the emergency clinic at night with acute abdominal pain and was sent home with MCP. “Stomach upset.” The doctor failed completely. Two days later, I was hospitalized with gallbladder colic. Even after filing a complaint with the medical board, nothing happened. No one even cared.
And @ruppsen
I’ll tell you what happens to medical professionals... nothing at all. I went to the emergency clinic at night with acute abdominal pain and was sent home with MCP. “Stomach upset.” The doctor failed completely. Two days later, I was hospitalized with gallbladder colic. Even after filing a complaint with the medical board, nothing happened. No one even cared.
T
toxicmolotof17 Mar 2018 14:14Jana33 schrieb:
So why should I go to the general contractor? I'm paying extra precisely because I don’t want to read up on everything myself....Who is actually the client by law in this case?
Jana33 schrieb:
If I receive a picture of a house where the chimney is "short," then I assume that’s what I will get...It seems the chimney was probably not in the upper floor. This appears to have been a client request.
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