Expert: James Ball - 7/22/2009

Question
I built a 30 x 40 outbuilding as a work/play room.  I have a 5 foot opening for a fireplace.  Its three feet deep.  I was going to just build a stone fireplace for occasional use.  The problem is I only poured a 4 inch slab for the floor.  I was told I needed  a footer to support all that weight.  Do I have any other options besides digging it out pouring concrete underneath and creating a footer?  Can I build the base of firebrick and just put a chimney pipe on top of it instead of building stone all the way up so it wouldn't be so heavy.  I am looking for options without putting in an insert system.   I do have room to pour a footer on the outside of the slab.  Could I build the interior firewall on the slab and build the outside stone on the footer. Will that support it? I wanted it to look like an old fashioned fireplace.  If you think I have to go with an insert, do you know of any that are big?  The biggest one I have found is only 42 inches. Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hello Jim, if I under stand you correctly you built a room and now want to build a fireplace and chimney for it out of stone.. if so you would have to contact your local building department for what they require. as far a installing a PreFab unit take a ride to your local wood stove store and see what they have and can get you, Pre Fab fireplace, Wood stove, direct vent (no chimney)Gas stove or fireplace. You will still need to check the building department for any installation.
hope this helped
James