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.

Section BC 2114: Structural Integrity Requirements

2114.1 General.

Load-bearing masonry structures shall be reinforced to meet all of the requirements of this section. However, reinforcement provided for gravity, seismic or wind forces or for other purposes may be regarded as satisfying part of, or the whole of, these requirements. Reinforcement provided for one requirement may be counted towards the other requirements.

2114.2 Continuity and ties.

Load-bearing masonry structures shall be reinforced to obtain a continuous system of vertical and horizontal ties. Continuity of all ties shall be ensured by providing lap, welded or mechanical tension splices. The following requirements shall be met for walls, columns and piers:

2114.2.1 Horizontal.

At each floor and roof level, continuous horizontal ties shall be provided in all load-bearing masonry walls, and around the perimeter of the building. Minimum horizontal tie reinforcement shall be not less than the equivalent of two No. 4 bars.