It was about 40 years ago when I was with Firemans Fund. They reasoned with my encouragement "she knew the ring would sink and be lost in the soft mud bottom. The diamond had a carbon flaw and was purchased at our replacement source for $4700. We also had the Jewelers Block Policy... which is 100 more wild tales.
Trader: If you want a logical answer, then ask a logical question. In the first two questions you ask "if a building by flood policy definition is allowed to have a fireplace?". The answer to both questions is yes. The flood policy in no way shape or form restricts what building components may be included or attached to a building. It restricts or excludes coverage for some components but it neither allows or disallows their existence. Your question no, 3 is predicated on a coverage answer to question no. 2 which was not a coverage question. Finally, you asked that no one answer your questions, but instead to check with NFIP or a carrier and give them logical intelligent coverage reasons. Though you may believe this to be one, please don't consider this an answer.
Your questions only bring about more questions. When was the house built? Is it pre-FIRM or post-FIRM? Do you have a copy of the elevation certificate? Is the fireplace below the 1st livable floor? All of these and many more questions must be answered before coverage can even be considered.
Kile it is the house on Hatteras Island that I posted on March 14th. It is post firm. It complies with the EC. The fire box is in the living room. The fireplace foundation is on the ground that was undermined by the Atlantic.
Well, if the fireplace foundation was on the ground, and the house is required to be elevated I think you may have a problem getting this covered on a post-FIRM house. Nothing below the 1st liveable floor is covered. If this was a mechanical furnace then maybe, but I think you have a serious coverage issue here.