Chimney Firestop In Attic

Joe shows you how to make an attic insulation shield when space is an issue.

Chimney firestop in attic.

Many homes with fireplaces built before 1992 may be missing these important safety features. Firewalls that separate condominium units are often penetrated by utilities that serve multiple units. If the chimney is fully enclosed through the attic an attic insulation shield is not required. Because of this it is important to have your prefabricated chimney inspected to ensure it is compliant with current safety standards.

Inspectors should be on the lookout for fireplace and wood stove flues that lack adequate fire rated sheetrock or metal flashing firestopping as in the photograph at right. Combustion air may be drawn into the burner either from a louvered closet door or from a properly installed air pipe from the outside or the attic terminating in the burner or within a foot of the closet floor. It should run from the roof decking to the ceiling joists for support. This shield cannot fit or is not used you must enclose the attic portion of the chimney in a framed enclosure always maintain 2 inch air space clearance to combustibles.

Once in the attic the builder will frame a chimney chase. A chimney fire should preferably stay in the chimney even at 1 500 degrees at least long enough to get the fire department there to save the roof. They ll likely use an insulation shield for the pipe passing into the base of the chase. Between the attic and the living space.

One major safety concern that is unique to factory built fireplaces is the need to have an enclosed chimney chase with firestop in the attic.