Brandon Whitmore Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 I often run into houses where people paint (not high temp paint) their brick fireplace faces directly above and to the sides of the fireplace opening. I consider this improper, but am not really sure whether it will hurt anything. What do you all say when you run into this, if anything? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Never gave it any thought. I can't really think of how it could be an issue. If you had a fire hot enough to catch the dried paint on fire, you're going to have bigger problems to worry about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted December 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Thanks for the reply Scott. I've just always told people that it's a bad idea, but that it will probably never actually cause a problem. The NFPA requires a min. 6" clearance above the fireplace opening to any combustible material that sticks out less than 1.5"-- I would think this would technically apply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Is it latex paint? Wasn't latex paint originally designed as a fire inhibitor? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Whitmore Posted December 16, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 The think that it was elastomeric paint, but it could have been latex. The exterior brick was painted the same color, so I figure they just moved on inside with the same stuff. I think it's typically latex that I see, but don't always pay much attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Fabry Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 After having stripped miles of trim and wood using heat as a paint remover, I can assure you that latex paint burns beautifully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbinspect Posted December 16, 2009 Report Share Posted December 16, 2009 Does it really take off, Chad, or merely yield to the heat and flame? Just curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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