Expert: James Ball - 8/13/2009

Question
My daughter recently bought an older home with a middle of the room brick fireplace.  The back of the fireplace is in a bedroom.  There is currently a closet with double doors that when opened 1/2 is a small closet and then its the back of the brick fireplace.  Can we move the closet over then continue the wall to cover the back of the fireplace?  There is probably about 4 to 5 inches between where the fireplace is and where we would meet the wall.

Answer
Hello Linda, not exactly sure what you are describing but clearance to combustibles (If you can maintain it) should be 4" of fire brick, 4" of regular brick, 2" on the sides and 4" out the back clearance to combustibles. check with your local building department and I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have they should be able to help.
Hope this helps
James