Hearth and Home Technologies EL36, EL42 owner manual Chase Installations, Construct the Chase

9Chase 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)
	Ceiling		to control spread of fire.
	Firestop
			 Warning! Risk of Fire! Do not seal area between fire
			stop 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.
	Ceiling	Insulation in the
			• The chase must be properly blocked to prevent blown
		outside walls
	Firestop
		of the chase	insulation or other combustibles from entering and
Insulation	Insulation
			making contact with fireplace or chimney.
False Ceiling	False Ceiling		• Failure to prevent contact between insulation or other
	Chimney		materials and chimney system may cause overheating
			and fire.
Figure 9.1	Chase Assembly
32		Heatilator • EL36/EL42 • 4044-132 • Rev AD • 7/12