Chase Installations | Hearth and Home Technologies BIR50-B specification

9Chase 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.

		Figure 9.2	Chase Constructions
	Termination Cap	Warning! You must install false ceilings and ceiling
		firestops at each floor of the chase or every 10 ft (3.05
Chase Top Flashing		m) to control spread of fire.
	Ceiling	Warning! Risk of Fire! Do not seal area between fire
		stop opening and chimney pipe except where they enter the
	Firestop
		attic or leave the warm air envelope of the home (use 600° F
		sealant).
		Warning! Risk of Fire! You must maintain a minimum
		2 in. (51 mm) air space clearance to insulation and other
		materials surrounding the chimney system.
		• Insulation and other materials must be firmly secured to
	False Ceiling	prevent accidental contact with chimney system.
		• Failure to prevent contact between insulation or other

	Attic	materials and chimney system may cause overheating
		and fire.
Tabs	Insulation
	Shield

	Insulation in the	B. Install Fireplace & Chimney
	outside walls
Insulation	of the chase	Install as per Sections 7 and 8.
	Insulation
False Ceiling	False Ceiling	C. Install Chase Top Flashing
	Chimney
Ceiling		• You MUST use a chase top flashing in a chase installation.
Firestop		Chase top flashings are available from your Hearth &
		Home Technologies dealer or may be field constructed.
Figure 9.1	Chase Assembly	• Refer to Sections 8.M. and 8.N.
32	Heatilator • Birmingham BIR50-B • 4059-682C • 8/12