Hearth and Home Technologies NorthStar-BK, NorthStar-GT owner manual Construct the Chase, Materials

E. Construct the Chase

A chase is a vertical boxlike structure built to enclose the fire- place and/or its vent system. Vertical chimneys that run on the outside of a building must be installed inside a chase.

In cold climates, it is recommended that the chase insulated using batt type insulation between the joists.

Construction of the chase may vary with the type of build- ing. These instructions are not substitutes for the require- ments of local building codes. Local building codes MUST be checked.

Chases should be constructed in the manner of all outside walls of the home to prevent cold air drafting problems. The chase should not break the outside building envelope in any manner. All outer walls need to be insulated.

Building codes require false ceiling and ceiling firestops at each floor of the chase or every 10 ft (3048 mm) 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 14.1. Vapor and air infiltration barriers should be installed in the chase as per regional codes for the rest of the home. Additionally, Hearth & Home Technologies recommends that the inside surfaces be sheet rocked and taped (or the use of an equiv- alent method) for maximum air tightness.

Holes and other openings should be caulked with high tem- perature caulk or stuffed with unfaced fiber glass insulation.

WARNING

Fire Risk

•DO NOT pack insulation or other combustibles: between ceiling firestops; between chimney and attic insulation shield.

•ALWAYS maintain specified clearances around chimney and ceiling firestop systems.

•Install ceiling firestops as specified.

Failure to keep insulation or other material away from chimney pipe may cause fire.

Materials

a.The chase is constructed using framing materials much the same as the walls in your home. A variety of siding materials may be used including brick, stone, veneer brick, or standard siding materials.

b.In constructing the chase, several factors must be considered:

1)Maintain a 2 in. (51 mm) air space around the chimney.

2)The chase top must be constructed of non-com- bustible material.

3)In cold climates, a firestop spacer should be installed in an insulated false ceiling at the 8 ft.

(2438 mm) level above the fireplace assembly. This reduces heat loss through the chase.

4)In cold climates, the walls of the chase should be insulated to the level of the false ceiling as shown in Figure 14.1. This will help reduce heat loss from the home around the fireplace.

Round Termination Cap
	Storm Collar
Metal Chase Top
	Ceiling
	Firestop
	False Ceiling
	Attic
Tabs	Insulation
	Shield
	Ceiling	Insulation in the
		outside walls
	Firestop
		of the chase
Insulation	Insulation
False Ceiling	False Ceiling
	Chimney
Figure 14.1 Chase Assembly

Three examples of chase applications are shown in Fig- ure 14.2.

1.Fireplace and chimney enclosed in an exterior chase.

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

3.Chase constructed on roof.

All outside walls should be insulated.

1 2 3

Figure 14.2 Chase Constructions

Page 14 Heat & Glo • NorthStar EPA Fireplace • 480-1081C September 1, 2008