Chimney & Fireplaces/Chimney chase to roof?

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Expert: - 12/18/2006


Question
Hi,
Does a chimney chase need to go all the way to the roof/rafters?
I have a wood fireplace/steel insert located in the living room. There is a steel
doublewall chimney going up through the roof with a chase built of 2x4 and
1/2 drywall surrounding the firebox. The chase ends at the ceiling. When I am
in the attic I can see/touch the steel chimney where it leaves the chase and
goes to the roof. There is a 4x5 foot opening from teh attic into the chase
1. Should the chimney chase extend all the way to the roof with mutliple
layers of drywall to prevent any possible fire from spreading into the attic?
2. The fireplace chase is "open" into the attic; if it doesn't need to be
extended to the roof should their be a "ceiling" on the chase to prevent
insulation, etc from falling down onto the top of the steel firebox?
Thanks!  

Answer
Hi Dan,

There should be some sort of protection around the piping so insulation can't get against it.

The opening from the attic to the area in the chase you are describing should be enclosed so nothing can fall in there.  Yes, there should be a "ceiling" on it.

I recommend you contact a local CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep to do some on-site diagnosis of your problem and give you specific recommendations for repair.

You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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