Stone Chimney Construction Details

A masonry fireplace consists of a brick or stone firebox a brick or stone chimney and more often than not a wood mantel.

Stone chimney construction details.

While each community has its own codes for building chimneys most codes are based on the national fire protection agencies 211 standard. Addresses the design and construction of residential chimneys. This is the second in a series of. Attractive stone is difficult to locate and gather and there is a large amount of intensive labor and skill required for quality construction.

Typically the reference used for local building codes is based upon the national fire protection agencies 211 standard for chimneys fireplaces vents and solid fuel burning appliances. The code is available online for free. These same recommendations are applicable to conventional fireplace construction when the provisions for the exterior air supply system are omitted. The crown helps keep the inside of the chimney moisture free by diverting water away from the chimney.

19 residential fireplace design 19a residential fireplaces details and construction 19b residential chimney design. The chimney should not support any other parts of adjacent structures unless specifically designed to do so. Consult your local construction codes when designing your chimney. The brick industry association has three excellent pamphlets about fireplace and chimney design and construction.

Check with local code to determine minimum requirements for all footings and reinforcements. Bricks concrete blocks or stone for the structure cement mortar a mix of one part portland cement one part hydrated lime and six parts builder s sand is recommended flashing precast chimney cap made of concrete or stone sheet metal and masonry tools such as a masonry trowel and level. Hiring a professional contractor to build a stone chimney or fireplace is expensive. It s a lot easier learning how to build a fireplace like this in new.

Watch this short video to see properly sloped firebox brick. Like ours not all chimneys have a cap but can be installed by a professional. Go to the nfpa website to review national fire code associated with chimneys. I recommend you read these three things.

Masonry chimney construction guidelines masonry chimney foundation an adequate concrete footing is required and must be able to support the weight of the chimney and or fireplace. Chimney height and flue area are the two most critical factors in chimney desire. Bricks building codes chimneys draft flashing flues masonry mortar. The crown is located at the top of the chimney alongside the chimney cap and helps to protect the materials used within chimney from the weather.