2113.16.2 Determination of minimum area.

The minimum net cross-sectional area of the flue shall be determined in accordance with Figure 2113.16. A flue size providing not less than the equivalent net cross-sectional area shall be used. Cross-sectional areas of clay flue linings are as provided in Tables 2113.16(1) and 2113.16(2) or as provided by the manufacturer or as measured in the field. The height of the chimney shall be measured from the firebox floor to the top of the chimney flue.

2113.17 Inlet.

Inlets to masonry chimneys shall enter from the side. Inlets shall have a thimble of fireclay, rigid refractory material or metal that will prevent the connector from pulling out of the inlet or from extending beyond the wall of the liner.

2113.18 Masonry chimney cleanout openings.

Cleanout openings shall be provided within 6 inches (152 mm) of the base of each flue within every masonry chimney. The upper edge of the cleanout shall be located not less than 6 inches (152 mm) below the lowest chimney inlet opening. The height of the opening shall be not less than 6 inches (152 mm). The cleanout shall be provided with a noncombustible cover.

   Exception: Chimney flues serving masonry fireplaces, where cleaning is possible through the fireplace opening.

2113.19 Chimney clearances.

Any portion of a masonry chimney located in the interior of the building or within the exterior wall of the building shall have a minimum airspace clearance to combustibles of 2 inches (51 mm). Chimneys located entirely outside the exterior walls of the building, including chimneys that pass through the soffit or cornice, shall have a minimum airspace clearance of 1 inch (25 mm). The airspace shall not be filled, except to provide fireblocking in accordance with Section 2113.20.

   Exceptions:

      1.   Masonry chimneys equipped with a chimney lining system listed and labeled for use in chimneys in contact with combustibles in accordance with UL 1777 and ULC-S635, and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, are permitted to have combustible material in contact with their exterior surfaces.

      2.   Where masonry chimneys are constructed as part of masonry walls, combustible materials shall not be in contact with the masonry wall less than 12 inches (305 mm) from the inside surface of the nearest flue lining.

      3.   Exposed combustible trim and the edges of sheathing materials, such as wood siding, are permitted to abut the masonry chimney sidewalls, in accordance with Figure 2113.19, provided such combustible trim or sheathing is not less than 12 inches (305 mm) from the inside surface of the nearest flue lining. Combustible material and trim shall not overlap the corners of the chimney by more than 1 inch (25 mm).

Figure 2113.19
Illustration of Exception to Chimney Clearance Provision

2113.19.1 Additional requirements for clearance.

   1.   Trimmers shall be not less than 5 inches (127 mm) from the inside face of the concrete or masonry chimney wall. Finished flooring shall have at least one-half inch clearance from chimney walls.

   2.   A clearance of at least 2 inches (51 mm) shall be provided between the exterior surfaces of interior masonry chimneys for all wood- burning appliances.

   3.   No combustible lathing, furring, or plaster grounds shall be placed against a chimney at any point more than 1 1/2 inches (38 mm) from the corner of the chimney; but this shall not prevent plastering directly on masonry or on metal lath and metal furring nor shall it prevent placing chimneys for low temperature equipment entirely on the exterior of a building against the sheathing.

2113.20 Chimney fireblocking.

All spaces between chimneys and floors and ceilings through which chimneys pass shall be fireblocked with noncombustible material securely fastened in place. The fireblocking of spaces between wood joists, beams or headers shall be self-supporting or be placed on strips of metal or metal lath laid across the spaces between combustible material and the chimney.

2113.21 Test run.

All new chimneys shall be test run by the registered design professional responsible for the testing under standard conditions to demonstrate fire safety and the complete exhausting of smoke and the products of combustion to the outer air. The results of such test run shall be certified as correct by the design professional engineer responsible for the test and shall be submitted in writing to the department.

2113.22 Requirement of a smoke test.

A smoke test shall be made as outlined below. Any faults or leaks found shall be corrected. Such smoke test shall be witnessed by a representative of the commissioner. In lieu thereof, the commissioner may accept the test report of the design professional engineer responsible for the test, which shall be submitted in writing to the department.

2113.22.1 Smoke test.

To determine the tightness of chimney construction, a smoke test shall be made in accordance with the following conditions and requirements:

   1.   The equipment, materials, power and labor necessary for such test shall be furnished by, and at the expense of, the owner or holder of the work permit.

   2.   If the test shows any evidence of leakage or other defects, such defects shall be corrected in accordance with the requirement of this chapter and the test shall be repeated until the results are satisfactory.

   3.   Method of test. The chimney shall be filled with a thick penetrating smoke produced by one or more smoke machines, or smoke bombs, or other equivalent method. As the smoke appears at the stack opening on the roof, such opening shall be tightly closed, and a pressure equivalent to 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) column of water measured at the base of the stack shall be applied. The test shall be conducted for a length of time sufficient to permit the inspection of the chimney.