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Chimney Bracing Details

George_Gordon | Posted in Construction Techniques on February 21, 2022 08:51am

Are there any good articles on chimney bracing?

We have a small ~24-30″ square masonry chimney that will be passing from the footing, through the first floor joists, through the rafter ties/loft floor joists, through the collar ties, and finally, through the roof.  

At each point we see an opportunity for bracing the chimney, yet the code calls for 2″ separation from combustibles.   

My question is, do we want to brace the chimney with the structure framing, and if so, what is the detail that allows for the connection?  Is it some kind of flexible metal strapping?

Another consideration is the fact that the building will move and settle a little bit, and the chimney likely less so.  If the bracing is too rigid and does not allow for movement, it could conceivably crack the masonry joints.

Any insights would be appreciated.  Many thanks.

Reply

Replies

  1. florida | Feb 22, 2022 09:39am | #1

    I've never seen a house with a brace to a masonry chimney. Plenty of chimneys are built to the top before the house is started and plenty of old chimneys are still standing 50 years after the house has fallen in. Bracing is not necessary unless you're in a seismic zone, are using metal flue or if your chimney extends far above ytour roof.

  2. calvin | Feb 22, 2022 10:01am | #2

    Agree with flo.
    Rare to see but a standoff tied back to the roof when the chimney is high above the roof surface.

    Follow this guide .

  3. User avater
    George_Gordon | Feb 23, 2022 08:38am | #3

    I should have added that this is a single flue chimney in a high-wind area...

    The following article seems to suggest that this criteria would call for some kind of bracing, but again, it's a bit unclear...

    https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2001/11/01/tying-a-chimney-to-a-house

    Further, we are trying to keep the chimney on the smaller side, ideally two wythes thick with an ~9 -10" square opening to accept a 6" flue...

  4. calvin | Feb 23, 2022 09:34am | #4

    https://www.concreteconstruction.net/_view-object?id=00000154-254b-db06-a1fe-774b6d540000

    The drawings are “shaded” and the script hard to see but there are sources listed you might be able to access.

    The method I’m thinking of is using re-bar to reinforce the inside corners of your brick. Assuming solid brick. Run Re- bar vertically up the 4 inside corners. Tie with 1/4” wire wrapped around rebar and laid into the brick coarse horizontal joint.

    How often tied to the brick? Every couple feet?

    Look toward Long Island brick chimneys, they get some fierce winds.

    Added:
    https://www.concreteconstruction.net/how-to/reinforcing-new-and-old-masonry-chimneys_o

    1. User avater
      George_Gordon | Feb 24, 2022 01:00pm | #5

      Calvin,

      Thank you very much — this is what we were looking for. This strategy seems very smart for small footprint and single flue designs.

      1. calvin | Feb 24, 2022 05:21pm | #7

        You owe me a beer.
        I can travel.

        1. User avater
          George_Gordon | Feb 26, 2022 09:42am | #8

          Haha, absolutely!

  5. User avater
    UncleMike42 | Feb 24, 2022 02:44pm | #6

    Why do you want a masonry chimney?

    What will you use it for?

    1. User avater
      George_Gordon | Feb 26, 2022 09:44am | #9

      The design and architectural character of the house calls for a masonry chimney.

      It will be used to vent a wood stove.

      Yes, I am aware that we can use stainless stove pipe and that it would be cheaper and easier.

  6. Deleted | Mar 05, 2022 09:59am | #10

    “[Deleted]”

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