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)

 

 

 

 

Ceiling

 

to control spread of fire.

 

Firestop

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

Ceiling

Insulation in the

insulation or other combustibles from entering and

 

Firestop

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

 

Heatilator • CL36D, CR36D • 12538 • Rev V • 05/09

Page 32
Image 32
Heatiator CR36D, CL36D owner manual Chase Installations, Construct the Chase