Dear Jim,

We built a Rumford style fireplace I had designed around the Supeior Clay products. The local Building Dept., Mr. Frank Lisi, required that I install glass doors at the unit. I attempted to explain why that really made little sense.

Mr. Lisi said that he would accept a variance letter from the DOE in Albany. I contacted Joseph Hill who I had heard at an energy seminar. He said that he would be willing to write a variance for that but asked for a letter from Rumford. I saw on your website a similar letter you prepared in the State of Washington.

Is there anything available for New York. I will forward you some of the various communications and photos and details if desired.

Sincerely,
jw

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From: Jim Buckley
Sent: Aug 3, 2010
To: jw
Subject: Rumford door Variance

Jeff,

That's great news. And good for the NY regulators - both Messrs. Lisi and Hill. Most building officials stick strictly to the letter of the code.

I will work on a letter for Mr. Hill as you suggest. Let me send you a draft today or tomorrow.

Warm regards,
Jim Buckley

And then (a couple of days late) I did draft such a letter. See letter. Now we are waiting to see if we get the variance. We'll let you know. - Jim

The fireplace was approved without doors and then a week or so later we heard that another customer was able to avoid installing doors on a Rumford just by presenting the my letter. - Jim