Replies

1. 
   rlrefalo | May 01, 2009 02:59pm | #1

   What about a small radio. Should work like the old speaking tubes on ships.

   Rich

1. 
   Pelipeth | May 01, 2009 11:47pm | #4

   Sounds like (no pun intended) a decent idea. Thx's

2. 
   terrapin | May 01, 2009 04:05pm | #2

   Try asking your plumber about smoke testing sewer lines.  Haven't done anything like, but I've seen it done a number of times to check integrity of sewer lines and to see if anything has been connected to it that shouldn't be.  I've seen the guys use smoke bomb looking candles, as well as a blower attached to a fancy garden sprayer which contained a liquid smoke.  I assume the blower/sprayer method would work best in your application is the amount of smoke should be able to be metered in.

   Hope this helps.

1. 
   Pelipeth | May 01, 2009 11:48pm | #5

   I'll check with my plumber.........Thx's

3. 
   rdesigns | May 01, 2009 04:27pm | #3

    I have used a small smoke bomb called "Little Smokies" that you can buy at HVAC supply houses. You light it with a match. Doesn't stink much.

   The trick is to direct the flow of smoke where you want it.

   Whatever kind of smoke you use, you need to pressurize the apartment when you produce the smoke so that it is forced up through the chimney or vent that you need to identify. This is not hard--just set up a powerful fan in a window, seal around it with tape, cardboard, etc. You can even use more than one fan to ensure good pressurization. Close all other openings into the house, and light the smoke bomb at the opening into the chimney or vent. Pressurized air will already be moving up the vent due to the fan pressure, and the smoke will go up with it.

1. 
   Pelipeth | May 01, 2009 11:54pm | #6

   The pressurizing might be more diffucult than one would think, big place only 20' wide 60' deep 6 stories tall with the basement. Basically 2 rooms per floor. Thanks for the thoughts!

1. 
   rdesigns | May 02, 2009 12:41am | #7

   Pressurizing will work even better the taller the building is. The stack effect of its height will create a negative pressure in vents and chimneys that will assist the fan action.

   You can confirm that the vents have a negative pressure before the fan pressurization by letting the smoke of a blown-out match drift into the vent opening.

   I'm thinking of the kind of fan they use to dry carpets.

   P.S. Don't use white smoke or somebody will thing you've picked a new Pope. :)

   Edited 5/1/2009 5:46 pm ET by rdesigns

1. 
   Pelipeth | May 02, 2009 02:40am | #9

   I just might give it a try....

2. 
   DanH | May 02, 2009 12:51am | #8

   Don't need to pressurize the whole place, just the room where the fireplace is.
   The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith

1. 
   Pelipeth | May 02, 2009 02:41am | #10

   Lot's of venting + the chimneys.......