The floor protection should extend not less than 18 inches beyond the appliance on all sides. These materials conduct heat very well; they will be almost as hot on their back sides as they are on their exposed sides. To meet this criteria, the damage to the chimney shall be limited to an area within the upper half of the portion of the chimney that extends above the roof-line or within the upper 2′-0″ of the chimney, whichever is less.
Unreinforced masonry chimneys must be demolished down to the throat of the nearest undamaged firebox before construction of the new factory-built metal chimney and steel stud chase can begin.
What manufacturers do you carry? Do you have your own installers or do you subcontract out your installations? We also employ a trained and certified mason for masonry construction and repairs. Codes vary all across the country and local codes take precedence over any national code. An improper installation of the unit, mantel, surround, or hearth can lead to a fire-hazard which can cause personal or property damage and/or loss of life.
We are frequently asked a number of questions and you can find our expert’s answers to a number of them below. Special thanks are due for your installer crew, whom were very professional and courteous. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with your local building code for fireplaces. Once you’ve decided on the type of fireplace you want, you’ll need to consider the required specifications.
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They must meet height requirements in relation to the roof peak. The hearth and hearth extension should be 36 inches from the back of the firebox if the firebox is less than 6 square feet. Firebrick; cement; or grouted, hollow blocks may be used to construct the back and sidewalls of the unit.
This video is brought to you by armchairbuilder.com/. A fireplace can be a great addition to any room. Just make sure you …Masonry Chimney Repair Requirements – California Masonry Fireplace Code
For heaters set on legs or pedestals that provide not less than 6 inches of ventilated space beneath the fire chamber or base of the appliance, use closely spaced solid masonry bricks or blocks not less than 2 inches thick.
Otherwise, install according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Sheetrock, sheet metal, masonry veneer and other thin or non-insulating materials placed directly against walls give little protection. For example, with sheet metal you can reduce the clearance by two-thirds, from 18 inches to 6 inches. This requirement is normally satisfied by working for a licensed masonry contractor and on construction projects. A chimney may be repaired with the same masonry construction (reinforced or unreinforced) when the cost of repair is less than 10% of the replacement cost of the entire chimney.
This type of work does not require plan check but does require a permit. The height of the chimney above the roof shall be limited to ten feet under this standard. Wood burning cook stoves are exempt from this regulation. Unreinforced masonry chimneys may be rebuilt if they are fractured above the roof line but shall be removed down to the throat of the nearest undamaged firebox if they are damaged below the roof line.
Parts of the mantel assembly located above and projecting more than 1 1/2 inches (38mm) from the fireplace opening shall not be placed less than 12 inches (305mm) from the top of the fireplace opening.
All of our installations are performed “in-house” by our on staff installers. How often should my chimney be swept? Mantels, we realized that we had many options that we could choose from. It was truly pleasurable experience doing business with you. The mantel looks wonderful and we are very happy with the end product! Your parents should be proud of how you and your sisters are carrying out their legacy. With so many homes built with stucco, repair is inevitable. There’s no detail too small to fall under its purview, and that includes fireplaces. Homeowners often request stone, brick, or concrete for their hearths. Instead, builders must use fine or coarse aggregate mixed with lime putty or hydrated lime. But if you decide to install a fireplace, you want to make sure your unit meets local building codes. So a wooden mantel, for example, must not be close to the fireplace opening or firebox, which is the open space where your fire is lit.
Many codes also do require fire bricks. The throat of the chimney, where the smoke chamber tapers to the size of the flue, should be no less than 8 inches above the firebox, and should be at least 4 inches deep.
Masonry chimney walls should be at least 4 inches thick. You also want the exterior wall of the chimney to have a minimum airspace of 2 inches beyond the exterior wall. Round flues need a minimum cross-sectional area of 1/12 the fireplace opening, while square flues need a cross-sectional area of 1/10 the fireplace opening.
A corbel arch uses cantilevered blocks to form the entryway in a wall or fireplace that supports the structure above it. It is important to have an insulated chimney, particularly with an airtight wood stove. Also, round liners are more efficient than rectangular ones. Smoke pipe was never meant to be used outside. Also, creosote forms rapidly due to cooling of gases inside the pipe itself. All masonry chimneys should have tile liners. Building a small hot fire for a short period rather than an “idle” fire over a long period, when temperatures are moderate. Inspecting your system frequently and learning to operate it most efficiently. This specialized venting system affords more flexibility as it allows the vent to be installed horizontally and exit on the side of a building below the roofline.
Vent free fireplaces are fireplaces that burn gas at high enough efficiencies that the remaining exhaust bi-products are considered negligible enough to be exhausted into the living space.
Fireplaces inserts and stoves are considered radiant room heaters. For most fireplaces, inserts, and stoves a fan is not required because approximately 85% of the heat is delivered in the form of radiant light that warms the solid objects in the room.
The “room” part of radiant room heaters should also be considered when looking at adding a fan. We understand the building codes and the engineering required. Can we still get a wood burning fireplace? Most chimney fires are caused by prefabricated systems. A damper is at the top of your chimney. To close the damper at the top, pull down on the cable and lock it in the bracket. Is it a good idea to have a rain cap installed on my chimney? They will even cover furniture that is close to the fireplace. Creosote builds up in the flue and may suppress the proper upward flow of the smoke. If the fireplace has never been used, you can be almost certain that something is wrong. Most of these chimneys were single width, meaning they are only one-brick-wide. They must be carefully inspected before being used to burn gas or wood. The only way to know if the crack is superficial or more extensive is with a full chimney inspection. Gas is more likely to cause a fire because the temperature is constant and can be accidentally left on for long periods of time.
They must meet height requirements in relation to the roof peak. Many codes also do require fire bricks. It should be located no less than 6 inches below the lowest chimney inlet opening. This small flap should be made of metal or ceramic. Rumford fireplaces shall be permitted provided that the depth of the fireplace is not less than 12 inches (305 mm) and not less than one-third of the width of the fireplace opening, that the throat is not less than 12 inches (305 mm) above the lintel and is not less than 1/20 the cross-sectional area of the fireplace opening.
A masonry chimney is a chimney constructed of solid masonry units, hollow masonry units grouted solid, stone or concrete, hereinafter referred to as masonry.
In areas not subjected to freezing, footings shall be not less than 12 inches (305 mm) below finished grade. Each strap shall be fastened to not less than four floor joists with two 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) bolts. Where a masonry chimney is constructed with a fireclay flue liner surrounded by one wythe of masonry, the maximum offset shall be such that the centerline of the flue above the offset does not extend beyond the center of the chimney wall below the offset.
Chimneys shall extend not less than 2 feet (610 mm) higher than any portion of a building within 10 feet (3048 mm), but shall be not less than 3 feet (914 mm) above the highest point where the chimney passes through the roof.
Where a masonry or metal rain cap is installed on a masonry chimney, the net free area under the cap shall be not less than four times the net free area of the outlet of the chimney flue it serves.
Masonry chimney walls shall be constructed of solid masonry units or hollow masonry units grouted solid with not less than a 4-inch (102 mm) nominal thickness.
Only enough mortar shall be placed to make the joint and hold the liners in position. Where two or more flues are located in the same chimney, masonry wythes shall be built between adjacent flue linings. Round chimney flues shall have a minimum net cross-sectional area of not less than 1/12 of the fireplace opening. Inlets to masonry chimneys shall enter from the side. Cleanout openings shall be provided within 6 inches (152 mm) of the base of each flue within every masonry chimney. Chimney flues serving masonry fireplaces where cleaning is possible through the fireplace opening.
How To Build A Chimney
Bob Vila discusses concrete-block chimney construction with the masonry contractor on a job site in Malibu, California. For more …
