Our technical support personnel have identified the following questions about chimney installations as the ones most frequently asked. The answers are designed to help you better understand the nature of this chimney product, but we recommend that you consult the AmeriTec Installation Instructions, the listing by Underwriters Laboratories and you own local building codes.

1. What is an All Fuel Chimney?
All Fuel Chimney is a prefabricated chimney intended to be used with fuels such as wood, coal, oil or gas. It is tested under the UL103 test standard and is called a "Residential Type and Building and Heating Appliance Chimney." This type of chimney is also often referred to as "Class A" or "A-Vent" in our industry.

2. What is the maximum venting temperature for AmeriTec All Fuel Chimneys?
All chimneys, including AmeriTec, tested to UL103 are for venting flue gases at a temperature not exceeding 1000º F under continuous operating conditions.

3. I was told I need a 2100º F chimney. Is AmeriTec All Fuel Chimney rated for 2100º F?
The UL 103 category "residential chimney" is divided into two levels: regular UL 103 and UL103 Type HT. The regular UL103 is tested to a maximum continuous operation temperature of 1000º F and a maximum short term temperature of 1700º F. The UL103HT chimney is tested to a maximum continuous operation temperature of 1000º F and a maximum short term temperature of 2100º F. That is why this type of chimney is often mistakenly referred to as "2100 Chimney." AmeriTec Model HS and HSS are listed to the 2100º F requirements.

4. Is it difficult to put All Fuel Chimney sections and fittings together?
There are a number of connection methods used by chimney manufacturers. We believe that the AmeriTec Chimney System, manufactured by American Metal Products, is the easiest chimney to assemble on the market today. The patented snap-lock locking system allow assembly by pushing the sections together until it clicks. There are no male and female openings to line up or locking brackets to worry about-just push and snap the sections together.

5. Once the locking ends are joined together, isn't it difficult to take them apart?
Not at all. They come apart easily. Simply pry out every other locking tooth on the bottom end of each AmeriTec section and twist the sections. To reuse the sections, push the teeth back in, and the sections are ready to go back together.

6. Can the sections come apart accidentally?
No. Unlike the systems that use a twist-lock or the type of lock requiring a locking band, the AmeriTec snap locking system will not come apart unless you take it apart. There's no need to worry about the possibility that when you are working on one part of the chimney system that you might cause a problem elsewhere in the system.
What is the material used in these chimneys?
The inner wall is made of .015" type 430 stainless steel, the middle wall is made of .12" type 430 stainless, and the standard chimney outer wall is .018" G90 galvanized steel. An optional outer wall of .015" 430 stainless is available. In addition, a blanket of woven ceramic fiber is bonded between the two inner walls.

7. Is there a correct 'up and down' direction for installing AmeriTec components?
Yes. There is a correct direction, and each section is marked with an 'up' arrow that shows the proper direction of the section which is always away from the appliance.

8. Do the elbows require special support?
An All Fuel Chimney Elbow is not designed to carry any load, therefore, whenever an elbow or offset is used, it must be resupported.

9. If I need a 90º change in the direction of flow, what is the largest offset made and how many can be used?
The largest offset manufactured or allowed by UL is 30º from vertical. Only two pairs of elbows are allowed in any installations. This means two separate 30º offsets-two 30º elbows cannot be connected to make a 60º from vertical offset or run.

10. How do I support the AmeriTec Chimney system?
The AmeriTec Chimney system can only be supported in the following ways:
a. Ceiling Support for flat ceiling applications.
b. Either the Standard Roof Support or the Adjustable Roof Support for the sloped or angled roof.
c. Wall Support for the through-the-wall installation using the Chimney Tee.
d. Anchor Plate for masonry chimney applications.
(See the AmeriTec Installation Instructions for more complete information.)

11. How do I connect the single or double wall connector pipe coming from the stove to the triple-wall chimney?
Each AmeriTec Ceiling Support, Roof Support and Tee Assembly must use a Single Wall Adaptor (SWA) to connect the connector to the chimney system. The SWA is included with Model HS Ceiling Supports, Roof Supports and Tee Assemblies. The SWA must be ordered separately for Model PL Supports and the HS-T. The connector sections are connected around the outside of the SWA. (See the Installation Instructions for more details about each type of installation.)

12. Can I install the AmeriTec Ceiling Support flush with the ceiling or even on top of the joists to eliminate the unsightly bulk of the Support hanging down into the room?
No. The Ceiling Support must be installed below the ceiling to provide a safe distance from the connection point of the connector system to combustible material. The trim flanges on the Support must be located below the ceiling.

13. Can I install the chimney closer than 2" to drywall?
No. Drywall is considered a combustible and must be a t least 2" from the chimney.

14. How far must the end of the branch of the Tee extend through the wall on a through-the-wall installation?
The end of the Tee branch and the connection point of the connector system must extend past the wall a minimum of 4 ½". (See the Installation Instructions for more details.)

15. What kind of equipment and how many different units can be connected to the All Fuel Chimney?
The AmeriTec Model HS Chimney can be connected to any gas or solid fuel appliance that has a continuous operation temperature lower than 1000ºF or lower, and a negative pressure in the Chimney. Positive or forced draft appliances cannot be connected to this Chimney. For wood burning appliances, only one unit can be connected to each chimney. For gas and oil equipment, these units can be multiple connected as long as they are at the same location and the chimney is sized to handle the correct capacity. (See the Installation Instructions for more complete information or call the Technical Service Department.)

16. I don't have much room between the roof and attic. Do I have to use an Attic Insulation Shield in my attic?
A shield should be used to keep insulation at least 2" away from the outer wall of the chimney. If there is not at least 18" clearance between the ceiling joist top and the roof, the factory-fabricated shield cannot be used, but a rigid permanent shield should be fabricated.

17. Where the chimney passes through the cold attic, can I wrap the chimney sections with insulation material?
No. The clearance to the chimney is 2" of air space and nothing can be wrapped around the chimney sections or fittings. For severe problems, contact the Technical Service Department for alternative solutions.

18. What is the Warranty for the AmeriTec Chimney System?
The AmeriTec Chimney System carries a limited lifetime warranty. (See warranty provided in AmeriTec pipe cartons.)

19. How far above the roof does the chimney need to extend?
The Chimney must protrude at least 3' above the roof, and 2' above any portion of the roof within 10'. (See the Installation Instructions for more complete information.)

20. Am I required to use a Wall Support when I'm using a Chimney Tee to penetrate a wall?
Yes. The branch of the Tee is not designed to carry any load, and the wall support eliminates this possibility.

21. Should I enclose the chimney when it is installed outside the house with a through-the-wall Tee installation?
Yes. When a chimney has too much of its length outside, the extreme cold weather can cause excessive heat loss and lead to creosote accumulation. An insulated housing around the chimney can help to prevent most of these problems. Don't forget to include an inspection door in the enclosure to allow for inspection and cleaning of the chimney through the Tee.

22. How far above the roof can the Chimney extend before it should be resupported?
If the Chimney extends more than 5' above the roof, it will require additional bracing.

Note: This is not intended to take the place of the factory furnished installation instructions. See these instructions for more complete details. For more information on AmeriTec Chimneys and other air distribution products, call the Technical Services Department of American Metal Products, (800) 669-3190.