We had a reputable masonry company removed our old zero-clearance heatilator unit and install a Supreme Fusion24 wood-burning insert in its place.
Unfortunately, after the installation was done, we read in the install manual that the insert is only appropriate for code-approved masonry fireplaces, and as you could see from photos we are lacking some things that are standard in a masonry fireplace. The installer says that they can do another pass over the work and rectify gaps and clearances to ensure it meets code, however even if the clearances and gaps are rectified, it still doesn't look like a masonry fireplace. I note no smoke shelf, not really a proper smoke chamber, etc.
I am seeking advice on what the best course of action would be to remediate. If the installer fixes the gaps and clearances, is that enough to safely operate a wood-burning insert? Or is this really just a situation where patching up the masonry will not work, and we need to change to re-do the job with a zero-clearance unit instead?
Photos below. Here you can see the old healitalor unit:
![[Hearth.com] How to remediate install of wood-burning insert?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/335/335659-bee43e9b16cec9d0dd8458b1a978a359.jpg?hash=Ncc6SKPoQZ "[Hearth.com] How to remediate install of wood-burning insert?")
Once the old unit was taken out, a firebox was created by installer to house the wood-burning insert:
![[Hearth.com] How to remediate install of wood-burning insert?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/335/335661-d7d0e3313ceca529f66dbc953ef835eb.jpg?hash=1p2XDswWz- "[Hearth.com] How to remediate install of wood-burning insert?")
The wood insert is added, with a stainless flex liner running up the length of the chimney. A batt of insulation sits on top of the unit (not pictured), but the liner was not insulated, so we do get a very nasty cold draft right now:
![[Hearth.com] How to remediate install of wood-burning insert?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/335/335662-3e0a9a689b81eeaa906a62c1b04a96d8.jpg?hash=X0N4Is3yWv "[Hearth.com] How to remediate install of wood-burning insert?")
New liner goes up through this opening:
![[Hearth.com] How to remediate install of wood-burning insert?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/335/335663-5f7fc6ae2ce015772796a2852e339123.jpg?hash=OtczSFPZRv "[Hearth.com] How to remediate install of wood-burning insert?")
And the finished product:
![[Hearth.com] How to remediate install of wood-burning insert?](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/335/335664-e7ad1b317b7a054a535b02df1ec531c3.jpg?hash=MrgZgPxP7e "[Hearth.com] How to remediate install of wood-burning insert?")
Unfortunately, after the installation was done, we read in the install manual that the insert is only appropriate for code-approved masonry fireplaces, and as you could see from photos we are lacking some things that are standard in a masonry fireplace. The installer says that they can do another pass over the work and rectify gaps and clearances to ensure it meets code, however even if the clearances and gaps are rectified, it still doesn't look like a masonry fireplace. I note no smoke shelf, not really a proper smoke chamber, etc.
I am seeking advice on what the best course of action would be to remediate. If the installer fixes the gaps and clearances, is that enough to safely operate a wood-burning insert? Or is this really just a situation where patching up the masonry will not work, and we need to change to re-do the job with a zero-clearance unit instead?
Photos below. Here you can see the old healitalor unit:
Once the old unit was taken out, a firebox was created by installer to house the wood-burning insert:
The wood insert is added, with a stainless flex liner running up the length of the chimney. A batt of insulation sits on top of the unit (not pictured), but the liner was not insulated, so we do get a very nasty cold draft right now:
New liner goes up through this opening:
And the finished product:
