Chapter 40 Fireplace Construction and Layout

Introduction As sections are drawn, consideration must be given to the fireplace and chimney –Metal fireplaces Manufactured Does not require a section Surrounded by wood walls Interior can be covered in masonry, stone, tile or noncombustible material May not have a chimney

Fireplace Alternatives Common alternatives to a masonry fireplace include: –Direct-vent Vent out the back and through house wall to outside –Top-vent Can be used as an insert or as a freestanding unit –Vent-free Gas line is connected and flame burns inside

Fireplace Alternatives (cont’d.) Working with factory-built fireplaces –Several items must be specified IRC requires the chimney for direct- and top-vent fireplaces to conform to UL standard 127 Factory-built fireplaces producing gases above 1000°F at chimney entrance must meet UL 959

Fireplace Terms Firebox terms: –Fireplace opening –Firebox –Hearth –Ash dump –Throat –Damper

Fireplace Terms (cont’d.) Chimney terms: –Smoke chamber –Chimney –Corbelled –Flue –Flue liner –Chimney liner, cap, and hood –Spark arrester

Fireplace Terms (cont’d.) Chimney reinforcement: –Areas subject to seismic damage Minimum of four vertical reinforcing bars ½″ in diameter Supported at 18″ intervals with a 1/4″ horizontal rebar Additional bars may be required In some areas, the chimney must be attached to the structure using steel anchors and straps

Drawing the Fireplace Section Fireplace drawing –Required by most building departments –Often kept on file as a stock detail –If required to draw a fireplace section, a floor plan print will be needed Helps determine wall locations and fireplace size

Drawing the Fireplace Section (cont’d.) Includes: –Layout of the fireplace –Drawing with finished-quality lines

Section–Masonry Fireplace Checklist Refer to the text for a fireplace checklist, including: –Plot –Drawing –Annotation –Dimensions

Fireplace Elevations Fireplace drawing viewed from inside the home –Shows firebox size of and decorative material Includes: –Elevation layout –Finished-quality lines Dimensions for room, hearth, mantel height, and fireplace opening height and width