Should I use an air brick in this circumstance?

[JamesHughes]

I am going to brick up an used fireplace, quite small, currently a cast surround. However, I am not sure whether I need to use an air brick. The fire is unused, but I think joins up with a used flue from downstairs. I've read that in this case a airbrick shouldn't be used, as if any sparky bits come up from the other fire, then down the unused flue side, then they can escape through the airbrick.

However, I am not entirely sure that he flues do join - they may just have different chimney pots when they get to the top.

Any thoughts?

 

[noseall]

All flues run independently from one another They are separated by a skin of bricks (mid-fellow) and each flue should be vented separately.

Adding an air brick at the base of the flue will allow air to continue passing through the chimney thus keeping it 'healthy'.

 

[JamesHughes]

Great - thanks for that. Will use an air brick.

 

[ajrobb]

All flues run independently from one another

Certainly that is normal. However, in old properties extra fireplaces were sometimes added to shared flues - horrible. If the house is well over 100 years old, I'd count the number of chimney pots to see if it matches the number of fire places. I think a chimney pot is a pretty good indicator of a flue.