Flexible chimney for boilers and furnaces - design features
The installation of smoke exhaust ducts is a crucial task that arises after the installation of the heater, stove, fireplace or gas boiler. To avoid the occurrence of fires or carbon monoxide poisoning, high demands are placed on chimney systems. For chimneys, which have a predominantly vertical position, single-ended and double-circuit stainless steel pipes are successfully used. The use of additional metal elements for the installation of a bend channel is associated with certain technical difficulties and high financial costs. The flexible chimney is installed much faster and easier.
Device
A flexible chimney is a thin metal corrugated pipe that is used to remove smoke from the combustion products from the firebox to the atmosphere. For the production of corrugations used aluminum and steel sheets with a thickness of 0.25 - 1.0 mm. It is used as part of a modular chimney made of sandwich pipes, for arranging a passage through a wall or ceiling, for repairing old brick channels of indirect configuration, as well as independently. There are 2 types of flexible chimneys:
- From aluminum. It is made from multi-layer laminated aluminum foil and has a corrugated surface. Corrugation of this metal has unsurpassed flexibility, can repeatedly stretch and shrink without losing its properties. Manufacturers produce pipes with a diameter of 100-150 mm, which corresponds to the size of the inlet nozzles of the furnace, gas boiler and other heating equipment. The cost of aluminum products is lower than the price of analogues from stainless steel, however, the heat resistance of this material is lower than recommended. Therefore, it is better to use corrugated aluminum to organize ducts.
- Stainless steel. Stainless steel flute corrugations are less flexible than aluminum. But the operating temperature of such smoke exhaust channels is at least 800-900 degrees. This high temperature resistance allows you to install a chimney made of steel corrugations for a stove, boiler or fireplace that use solid fuel. The stainless steel pipe does not oxidize when in contact with water and lasts longer.
Note! Each segment of a corrugated pipe made of aluminum or stainless steel in a compressed state has a length of only 65 cm, but easily stretches up to 3 m. Due to this, fewer joints are obtained when mounting a chimney, which favorably affects the tightness of the system.
Benefits
With the help of a flexible chimney, you can independently install smoke exhaust ducts even in difficult conditions, when you need to make several turns of the pipe. It does not require special tools and the help of a professional master. The use of metal corrugated chimneys has the following advantages:
- Flexibility. The main difference between the corrugations from the usual straight pipes is the flexibility and elasticity, thanks to which they can easily turn at any angle, taking the desired shape. For the installation of a flexible chimney does not require additional elements (elbows, bending the knee), due to this, the cost of work is reduced.
- Convenience of operation. Corrugated chimney heats up quickly, so that less condensation forms on the pipe walls. Moisture, high temperature and frost do not reduce the performance of this device.
- Tightness. Due to the fact that the corrugated pipes stretch to 3 m, the chimney is mounted almost without joints. This scheme reduces the risk of seam depressurization and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Easy installation. Corrugated chimneys are used for internal or external installation, without disassembling the walls. Installation is carried out without fear of damaging the interior. To connect between the blocks of corrugations used special metal tape and steel clamps.
Important! Perhaps the main advantage of corrugated stainless steel pipes - versatility. They are used as a chimney for a stove, fireplace, gas boiler, boiler, column, or as an air duct. Flexible pipes have many applications, and their properties can be improved using thermal insulation winding.
Installation requirements
The use of heaters is always associated with the risk of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Qualitatively assembled chimney reduces these risks to a minimum, so it is important to comply with all standards and requirements for the installation of flexible smoke removal channels:
- The correctness of the connection. The corrugation of their stainless steel down to the inlet pipe of the furnace or boiler. To make the connection reliable, you should choose the right pipe diameter. Fastening is carried out using a special adapter. In order for the chimney to function properly, a vertical section of at least 0.5 m in length must be located at the point of connection to the heater.
- Ensuring the tightness of all joints. So that the smoke does not go off at the joints, the upper block of the pipe is placed in the lower one, and the connection is fixed from above with a metal tape and a steel clamp. You can not place the seams in the passage of floors and walls.
- To maintain a normal level of traction, the length of horizontal sections in new houses should not exceed 3 m, in those already built - 6 m. Professional craftsmen do not recommend making more than 3 turns of a flexible chimney.
- The passage of the corrugated pipe through the walls, ceilings or roof is equipped with a special adapter, a box made of refractory material, and the corrugation itself is wrapped with heat-resistant fibrous insulation.
Important! The requirements of SNiP strictly prohibit the laying of smoke removal channels in rooms where people live. To ensure safety, it is not recommended to take the chimney to the porch, to the closed balconies or loggias, as well as through the facade walls facing the streets.
