Thread: What's missing in this chimney chase??

No, I don't really need an answer!


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Originally Posted by Erby Crofutt

No, I don't really need an answer! -

How about a question, then: How old was the house and had the fireplace ever been used?

12 Years.
Yes. A couple of times by current occupant (3 years).
Unknown before that.

A house here under construction burnt down when one of the subs started a fire in the fireplace but did not realize the chimney was not finished being installed.

A house here under construction burnt down when one of the subs started a fire in the fireplace but did not realize the chimney was not finished being installed.

I wonder if there is a statute of limitations on a stolen chimney?

We've found that several times. Note the metal plate off to the side of the top of the fireplace. When we've found this, the plate was over the top of the chimney outlet on the appliance and they were going to put in vent free gas logs. They didn't realize that this is not an acceptable installation.

Also missing is the header above the fp opening. Looks to be framed right down to the opening.


Bart

Originally Posted by Bart Ogden

...Also missing is the header above the fp opening. Looks to be framed right down to the opening...

The fireplace IS the header! It's one of them there structural fireplaces!

Bart, you got me looking closer!

First of all, I don't see any plywood under the fireplace. It must be sitting on a solid continuous base. It appears someone forgot to frame out for this fireplace so they took a Sawzall and sliced through the studs so the box could slide in. The center stud is cut shorter to allow the starter collar to clear. The other studs do seem to be below those side spacers, which would be too close. Not having a header would make this wall wobble. If this is a load bearing wall there would need to be a load bearing header installed, preferrably at the top of the wall. If this is on an exterior wall, there would need to be insulation and sheathing inside the chase on the cold wall.

Bart, that round disc could be a cut out where someone cut a hole in the subfloor above that extended into the chase as fireblocking. This is extremely common on the East coast. The installer cuts out for the listed firestop allowing the cutout to fall down, usually on top of the unit along with all the sawdust. If this is a cutout, the fact that it is not a square cut for a listed firestop but rather a round hole makes the whole installation a real abortion. Aside from installing the chimney, they really need to start from scratch and re-frame it with a base for the fireplace, insulation and sheathing in the chase such as Thermoply, fireblocking, listed firestops, etc. If that is blown insulation on top of the unit then you need to seal off the breach into the chase ( such as where you used to enter and get this view). This is also a huge energy hog being wide open.

Let me guess---this passed inspection?

I thought about the fact it might be a cutout for above, but there's no plywood installed at the firestop location.

If you look closely at the bottom of the picture, you can also see what appears to be a flexible gas appliance connector.

This should be a poster child picture for what not to do......

Bart

Originally Posted by Bob Harper

Bart, that round disc could be a cut out where someone cut a hole in the subfloor above that extended into the chase as fireblocking.

Originally Posted by Bart Ogden

I thought about the fact it might be a cutout for above, but there's no plywood installed at the firestop location.

The rounded disc may be where the roof sheathing was cut out for the chimney?

There indeed IS a chimney (chase), If there only WAS a flue........

We've found those with a round piece of sheetmetal cut out and laid on top of the flue collar. "It's Vent Free......."

Bart

Are those walls supposed to insulted at some point or are they all interior?

Even if they are all interior walls, they are de facto exterior walls since the chase is open to the attic. Not only should there be a chimney in there, unless there is a ventless gas log set, but the chase needs to be fireblocked as well.

I think y'all are all wrong. It's a recessed, big screen TV (that happens to be strong enough to hold up a wall).

Uh, the flue, the insulation on both side, the vapor barrier, a positive support to the vapor barrier and insulation (drywall, or maybe cement board if near the insert)

Cleanup of the wood cuttings, fire hazard

A closure to the attic, should be a fire rated wall.

How about "everything."

This brings up a question that has been bugging me for a while. On an interior chimney flue, assuming it's attached to a factory-built fireplace like that one above, is a fire-stop or fire-block required where the chase is open to the attic? And if so ( I have been assuming it's required) then where should the thermal insulation be?
Matt

Originally Posted by Matt Bezanson

This brings up a question that has been bugging me for a while. On an interior chimney flue, assuming it's attached to a factory-built fireplace like that one above, is a fire-stop or fire-block required where the chase is open to the attic? And if so ( I have been assuming it's required) then where should the thermal insulation be?
Matt

A fireblock is required at each floor level or at 10 foot max intervals and at the attic ceiling. If all the walls are interior the insulation would only need to be above the fireblock in the attic with a collar around the vent to maintain 1 inch of clearance from the vent to the insulation.

It's an old coal chute converted to cellulose pellet.
I find it hard to believe that can occur. They are not allowed to sheath the wall until the fireplace and stack is in place and inspected.

Originally Posted by Mike Schulz

I find it hard to believe that can occur.

Seeing is believing, as they say.

Truth IS stranger than fiction at times.

Finally someone has developed a fireplace to warm the whole house

Originally Posted by Larry Morrison

Finally someone has developed a fireplace to warm the whole house

That will "quickly" warm the whole house.

Fake fireplace..... what did I win???

An old post kicking back to life for more learning!

Originally Posted by Erby Crofutt

An old post kicking back to life for more learning!

Or more humor, it's a DIRECT VENT !