TO:
UNIT OWNERS, 285 HARVARD STREET CONDOMINIUM
FROM: TRUSTEES
RE: DOMESTIC CHIMNEYS
DATE: 7/20/83
Please find enclosed a report of inspection of the fireplaces and
chimneys at 285 Harvard Street.
Because of the major problems cited in the report, it is important
that everyone who owns a unit with a fireplace discontinue using it.
If all four unit owners in the same stacy wish to repair their chimney
as a group they must first present their intentions to the Trustees.
If you have any questions regarding this issue, please contact
OKM or a Trustee.
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CHIMNEYS
Chimney Inspection Report
285 Harvard Street Condominium
Upon Inspection of the fireplaces and four chimneys at 285 Harvard
Street, Cambridge:
1. We found that the fireplaces were not built to meet the building
code (1929) There are many vids and open chans above the dampers
who can lead to smoke look and fire hazards. These void and
chases cannot be cleanod out 1ke a flue can.
in that the area above the damper should fun his is the major problem
the smoke into its
respective flue. In the above cane, the damper opens into a large
void. There is no throat.
2. The top fireplaces (4 top floors) use two Flues and there are only
four flues in each chimney leaving two fireplaces to share one flue,
which is not code, which can lead to smoke leaking into other fireplaces.
3. The clay flue liners were not carried all the way up to the top of
the chimney. hey stop approximately three feet below the roof line.
This can cause smoke to downdraft into other fireplaces
4. The chimney for the fireplaces on the 102 side of the building
must be raised fourteen feet to be higher than the building next door.
To repair cach fireplace, excluding changing the shared flues would
cost approximately $1,250-1,400 each. The mantel would have to be
removed, plaster also. A new throat would be built. The four chimneys
would have to be rebuilt at a cost of $850.00 each, from the roof line
up.
The cost of raising the 102 chimney fourteen feet would be around $1,600.00.
In my opinion I would not trust any of these fireplaces. They were
built by masons not knowledgeable in proper fireplace construction.
They took many dangerous shortcuts. I would take down all four
chimneys and seal them off. There could be many other deficiencies
hidden behind the wall
Thank you.
Michael DiBlasio