Hearth and Home Technologies EM-415 - 36, EM-485T - 42 Chase Installations, Construct the Chase

9 Chase Installations

A. Construct the Chase	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
	2. Chimney offset through exterior wall and enclosed in chase.
outside walls of the home to prevent cold air drafting
	3. Chase constructed on roof.
problems. The chase should not break the outside build-
ing envelope in any manner. All outer walls need to be	Note: In cooler climates, all chase walls should be insulated.
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. Ad-
ditionally, Hearth & Home Technologies recommends that	1	2	3
the inside surfaces be sheet rocked and taped (or the use
of an equivalent method) for maximum air tightness.

			Figure 9.2	Chase Constructions
Round Termination Cap
Metal Chase Top			WARNING! You must install false ceilings and ceiling
			firestops at each floor of the chase or every 10 ft (3.05 m)
	Firestop		to control spread of fire.
	Spacer
			WARNING! Risk of Fire! DO NOT seal area between fire
			stop opening and chimney pipe. Restricting air flow around
			chimney may cause fire.
			WARNING! Risk of Fire! You must maintain a minimum
			2 in. (51 mm) air space clearance to insulation and other
	False Ceiling		materials surrounding the chimney system.
	Attic		• Insulation and other materials must be firmly secured to
			prevent accidental contact with chimney system.
Tabs	Insulation
	Shield		• The chase must be properly blocked to prevent blown
	Firestop	Insulation in the	insulation or other combustibles from entering and
	Spacer	outside walls	making contact with fireplace or chimney.
		of the chase
			• Failure to prevent contact between insulation or other
Insulation	Insulation
False Ceiling	False Ceiling		materials and chimney system may cause overheating
			and fire.
	Chimney
Figure 9.1	Chase Assembly
32		Heat & Glo • EM-415, EM-485 • 33056 • Rev W • 10/08