California Building Codes for Chimneys
A fireplace and chimney can add beauty and functionality to your house. But if you are planning to add a chimney or add it on your new-home layout, there are lots of components to consider in the design phase. The California Building Code has 20 subsections under Section 2113 Masonry Chimneys. The subsections handle everything from the materials and layout necessary for each section of a chimney to the reinforcement required in earthquake-prone areas. In California, all chimneys, if additions are a part of a first construct, are assessed by means of a government building inspector.
Footings and Foundations
The footings of a chimney has to be constructed out of concrete or solid masonry at least 12 inches thick and stretch over the face of the base by at least 6 inches. The base has to be at least 12 inches below the finished grade level.
Seismic Requirements
Layout and materials requirements vary based on the risk of earthquake in various parts of California. The California Building Code classifies design demands from A to F. Categories A, B and C do not need extra reinforcement or anchoring. A class D, by way of instance, requires chimneys and foundations to be anchored at every level with two 3/16-by-1-inch straps embedded at least 12 inches into the chimney.
Wall Thickness
California building codes need chimney walls to be constructed with concrete, strong bricks or hollow bricks full of grout of a minimum depth of 4 inches.
Chimney Clearances
California Building Code Section 2113.19 specifies that all masonry sections of a chimney found in the inside of a structure or within the outer walls need an airspace of two inches to give insulation. Chimneys held inside walls still need an airspace of 1 inch.
Termination
Chimneys must end at least two feet over any section of this building within 10 feet of these, and has to be 3 feet over the section of roofing it’s assembled through.
Flue Area
The region of the cross-section of a chimney’s flue is determined by its shape, height and dimensions of the fireplace opening. For instance, round flues must have a cross-sectional area of at least 1/12 of the fireplace opening. Square flues must possess at least 1/10 of the fireplace opening, and rectangular flues at least 1/8 of the fireplace opening.