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  1. #1
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    Default Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    Is there an NEC or IRC or other prohibition against mounting an antenna or mast to a masonry chimney above it's highest support (such as passage through a roof or above the eaves) or is this Just Not A Good Idea?

    And if prohibited, what's the exception that allows a lightning rod there?

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    Last edited by Michael Thomas; 01-21-2008 at 11:22 AM.
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    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    From the 206 IRC.
    - R1003.8 Additional load.
    Chimneys shall not support loads other than their own weight unless they are designed and constructed to support the additional load. Construction of masonry chimneys as part of the masonry walls or reinforced concrete walls of the building shall be permitted.

    An antenna catches quite a bit of wind and will transfer that wind load to the chimney, so, while it is 'not a good idea', it could also be stated that 'it is not allowed' either.

    A lightning rod, on the other hand, will transfer very little wind load to the chimney ... however ... I did not find the words 'except for very little loads' in there ...

    I guess it would come down to 'common sense' - if whatever is on / mounted to the chimney can cause some extra loading to the chimney and put it at risk ... 'not a good idea' and 'not allowed', but, if it is not going to place any load to speak of on the chimney, then ... you make the call.



    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    Thanks. as always for the quick response.

    Michael Thomas
    Paragon Property Services Inc., Chicago IL
    http://paragoninspects.com

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    How about a basketball goal, Jerry?

    You think the constant hurling of the ball against the chimney would be an issue.

    They had also run conduit up the side for some lighting.

    Tree limbs noted.

    rick

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  5. #5
    Rick Maday's Avatar
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Hurst View Post
    How about a basketball goal, Jerry?

    You think the constant hurling of the ball against the chimney would be an issue.

    rick
    Hope Daryl Dawkins doen't come to visit!



  6. #6
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    Around these parts a TV antenna mounted anywhere on a roof is a sign of social ineptitude. One either has a dish or cable, PERIOD!
    I understand that in Florida it’s against the state building code due to their attracting hurricanes?

    Jerry McCarthy
    Building Code/ Construction Consultant

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    Jerry,

    Totally wireless would be great.

    Even the satellite dishes can be an eyesore at times.

    rick

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  8. #8
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Hurst View Post
    Jerry,

    Totally wireless would be great.

    Even the satellite dishes can be an eyesore at times.

    rick
    Around here I usually only see one dish per apartment complex.... and a bundle of 30 coax cables running from it.... I'm sure it's to cut down on the unsightliness of multiple dishes.


  9. #9
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    My daughter is in apartment management and they totally prohibit satellite dish installation. I can see now from Ricks photos that it might not be a bad idea after all.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  10. #10
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    Smile Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    Nice zero clearance to the wood furring strips holding that basketball goal, too!
    Bob

    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    Another practical reason: Wind causes the antenna to vibrate which makes the masonry chimney prone to deterioration.


  12. #12
    Jeffrey L. Mathis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    Sorry,
    I'm tooling through these posts and I am just amazed at how obtuse and beyond real some of you people can get. This is the most non-issue issue I've read here yet.
    I'm amused and concerned at the same time.

    JLMathis


  13. #13
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    Quote Originally Posted by Jeffrey L. Mathis View Post
    Sorry,
    I'm tooling through these posts and I am just amazed at how obtuse and beyond real some of you people can get. This is the most non-issue issue I've read here yet.
    I'm amused and concerned at the same time.

    JLMathis
    Jeffery,

    You've lost me.

    "I'm amused and concerned at the same time." about what? Your not understanding the ramifications?

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  14. #14
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    Default Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    Now that it's mentioned, I think that I'm the only one in our neighborhood of 17 homes that has an antenna (it's on the chimney of course). And we've been on cable for several years!

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  15. #15
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    Exclamation Re: Antenna attachment to chimney prohibited?

    I remove them all the time. Usually the bricks are loose so the top of the chimney needs to be rebuilt. The closer together the bands, the higher the leverage and usually more damage. Also, once the bands rust away and it falls over, those tines can pierce the roof deck causing leaks. They have been known to make lightning rod terminals without the ground....
    Bob

    Keep the fire in the fireplace.

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