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Property & Building Inspection

Fireplaces & fuel-burning appliances practice questions

10 original sample questions on fireplaces & fuel-burning appliances. Pick an answer, then open the explanation. Review the fireplaces & fuel-burning appliances study notes first if you like.

1. A chimney cap mainly keeps out:

  1. Smoke rising from the flue
  2. Rain, animals and debris
  3. Draft air needed for the fire
  4. Sunlight on the smoke shelf
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. Rain, animals and debris

Caps protect the flue opening.

2. A Level 2 chimney inspection is typically recommended:

  1. Only when a chimney is new
  2. When a home is sold or changes occur
  3. Never for wood fireplaces
  4. After every single fire
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. When a home is sold or changes occur

Industry practice recommends it at transfer.

3. A Category IV appliance (e.g., condensing furnace) typically vents with:

  1. Single-wall pipe into a draft hood
  2. A masonry chimney without liner
  3. An open vent pipe ending inside the attic space
  4. Positive pressure through sealed piping
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. Positive pressure through sealed piping

Condensing appliances use sealed, positive-pressure, corrosion-resistant venting.

4. A chimney cap with a screen clogged by creosote can:

  1. Add heat
  2. Stop soot
  3. Block draft
  4. Improve draft
Show answer & explanation

Answer: C. Block draft

Clogged screens restrict flow.

5. A brick chimney on an exterior wall has a wide gap between it and the house siding at the top. This suggests:

  1. Normal shrinkage of mortar in the first year
  2. The chimney may be pulling away; evaluate
  3. Proper design to allow the chimney to breathe
  4. Better draft because air enters at the gap
Show answer & explanation

Answer: B. The chimney may be pulling away; evaluate

Separation indicates movement.

6. A chimney cleanout door at the base that is missing or open may allow:

  1. Lower moisture in the flue
  2. Improved creosote removal
  3. Greater draft efficiency
  4. Combustion gases or sparks to escape
Show answer & explanation

Answer: D. Combustion gases or sparks to escape

Cleanout doors should be closed and tight.

7. A chimney chase cover rusting on a prefab fireplace can:

  1. Last for the life of the home
  2. Improve the draft
  3. Leak water into the chase
  4. Seal better
Show answer & explanation

Answer: C. Leak water into the chase

Rusted covers leak.

8. A chimney flue is visibly offset with no liner and has cracked mortar joints inside. The best report statement is:

  1. Recommend a fire to test the draft before closing
  2. The flue is fine because offsets slow sparks before they exit the top
  3. Unlined offset flue with deterioration; chimney professional
  4. Offset flues never need liners in any home
Show answer & explanation

Answer: C. Unlined offset flue with deterioration; chimney professional

Refer for liner and repair evaluation.

9. A chimney crown is different from a chimney wash in that it:

  1. Is a formed cap over the masonry
  2. Is a coating applied to bricks
  3. Is a metal spark screen
  4. Is the clay liner extending at the top
Show answer & explanation

Answer: A. Is a formed cap over the masonry

Crowns should be properly formed and overhang to shed water.

10. A chimney serving a furnace and a fireplace shares a single flue. The concern is:

  1. Better draft from the combined flue heat
  2. Reduced creosote buildup
  3. Unsafe venting of multiple appliances
  4. Common and approved practice
Show answer & explanation

Answer: C. Unsafe venting of multiple appliances

Solid-fuel appliances need dedicated flues.

Original practice items for study only, not actual exam questions. Content may contain errors.