Closing Chimney stack

[billy bob]

I have removed my gas fire in the living room, I don't want a fire place there any more, I intend to hang a flat screen TV in the area where the fire place used to be, do I have to leave a vent in the wall to ventilate the stack, or can I close it completely, the stack runs externally, not through the house.

 

[ChrisR]

Conventional wisdom is to leave a vent. Makes sense as the DPC is often not too good on old houses and if there was ever a coal fire in there it can suffer with the heat.
A "sailor's hat" on the chimney pot is nice, to stop rain.
Use a vent with narrow slots, or a fly screen, or kids will post your house keys...