Forced-air duct systems and chimneys: Quick safety tests
The following case studies detail duct leakage problems in homes with chimneys and tests that contractors can perform to detect and prevent unsafe system interactions between forced-air furnaces and fireplaces.
After the Smiths moved in, they woke up in the middle of the night smelling smoke throughout the home. They had burned a fire in the fireplace earlier, but they hadn’t noticed any odors. At some point after they went to bed, the fire died down and combustion gases began spilling into the home instead of going up the flue.