Chase Installations, Construct the Chase | Heatiator BIR42 specification

9 Chase Installations

Gas line holes and other openings should be caulked with

A chase is a vertical boxlike structure built to enclose the

high temperature caulk or stuffed with unfaced fiberglass

insulation. If the fireplace is being installed on a cement

fireplace and/or its vent system. Vertical chimneys that

slab, we recommend that in cold climates, a sheet of

run on the outside of a building must be installed inside a

plywood or other raised platform be placed underneath to

chase.

prevent conducting cold up into the room.

Construction of the chase may vary with the type of build-

Three examples of chase applications are shown in Fig-

ing. These instructions are not substitutes for the require-

ure 9.2.

ments of local building codes. Local building codes MUST

be checked.

1. Fireplace and chimney enclosed in an exterior chase.

A chase should be constructed in the manner of all outside

2. Chimney offset through exterior wall and enclosed in chase.

walls of the home to prevent cold air drafting problems. The

3. Chase constructed on roof.

chase should not break the outside building envelope in

any manner. All outer walls need to be insulated.

Note: In cooler climates, all chase walls should be insulated.

Building codes require false ceiling and ceiling firestops

at each floor of the chase or every 10 ft (3.05 m) of clear

space to control spread of fire.

Walls, ceiling, base plate and cantilever floor at the first

level of the chase should be insulated. See Figure 9.1.

Vapor and air infiltration barriers should be installed in the

chase as per regional codes for the rest of the home. Addi-

tionally, Hearth & Home Technologies recommends that the

inside surfaces be sheet rocked and taped (or the use of an

equivalent method) for maximum air tightness.

Round Termination Cap		Figure 9.2	Chase Constructions
Metal Chase Top		Warning! You must install false ceilings and ceiling fire-
		Warning! You must install false ceilings and ceiling fire-
	Ceiling	stops at each floor of the chase or every 10 ft (3.05 m) to
	Firestop	control spread of fire.
		Warning! Risk of Fire! Do NOT seal area between
		firestop opening and chimney pipe except where they enter
		the attic or leave the warm-air envelope of the home (use
		600° F sealant).
	False Ceiling	Warning! Risk of Fire! You must maintain a minimum
		2 in. (51 mm) air space clearance to insulation and other
	Attic	materials surrounding the chimney system.
Tabs	Insulation	• Insulation and other materials must be firmly secured to
	Shield	prevent accidental contact with chimney system.
	Insulation in the	prevent accidental contact with chimney system.
	Insulation in the	• Failure to prevent contact between insulation or other
	outside walls	• Failure to prevent contact between insulation or other
Insulation	of the chase	materials and chimney system may cause overheating
Insulation	Insulation	and fire.
False Ceiling	False Ceiling
	Chimney
Ceiling
Firestop
Figure 9.1	Chase Assembly
32	Heatilator • Birmingham BIR42 • 4059-308 Rev J • 1/11