Block E – Chimneys and fireplaces

Trends

The market has seen an emergence of fireplace inserts, wood stoves and direct vent gas fireplaces. There is also an increase of outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and pizza ovens.

Related Components (including, but not limited to)

Masonry units, air barriers, insulation, flashing, firebrick, anchoring systems, membrane, vertical/horizontal reinforcing, grout, ties (anchors), adhesives, mortars, ceramic insulation, rigid insulation, caulking, compressive backer rod, insulation tape, weep holes, wood forms, air ventilation accessories, draining systems, lateral support systems, lintel supports, water repellents, cleaning agents, fire stops, spark arresters, liners, clean-out doors, metal caps, metal flashings, flue liners, cast iron doors, grills, dampers, fireclay, ceramic blanket, angle irons, arch centre, sheet metal, ash pan, ash dump, fresh air kit, facing material, mantel.

Tools and Equipment

See Appendix A.

Task 14 Builds chimneys.

Context

Chimneys vent gases from combusted materials. They can be residential and industrial. Chimneys can be decorative and installed in most areas of the building.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 foundation materials such as concrete, concrete blocks and bricks
• K 2 codes and regulations such as NBC and CSA
• K 3 fireplace and chimney operation
• K 4 flue liners
• K 5 materials such as fireclay or refractory mortar and mortar types
• K 6 expansion and contraction of installation materials
• K 7 types and sizes of flues and fireboxes
• K 8 types of insulation and flashings
• K 9 backup and veneer materials such as brick, stone and tile
• K 10 types of bonds
• K 11 types and sizes of appliances such as heaters and furnaces

Sub-task E-14.01 Builds foundation supports for chimneys.

Key Competencies

• E-14.01.01 select tools and equipment such as levels, trowels and squares
• E-14.01.02 select materials such as blocks, mortars and concrete according to plans and job specifications
• E-14.01.03 inspect excavation or specified area to ensure adequate for building foundation, according to jurisdictional regulations and task requirements
• E-14.01.04 modify excavation or specified area to meet jurisdictional regulations and task requirements
• E-14.01.05 calculate dimensions of chimney and lay out for formwork or block work for footings and foundations according to plans and job specifications
• E-14.01.06 install reinforcing steel and connections according to job specifications
• E-14.01.07 place concrete in footing forms according to job specifications and jurisdictional regulations, and allow curing time
• E-14.01.08 form or build foundation wall on footing according to job specifications
• E-14.01.09 build-in clean-outs and flue liners according to appliance requirements
• E-14.01.10 ensure foundation is adequate to support the weight of the chimney

Sub-task E-14.02 Lays masonry units to build chimneys.

Key Competencies

• E-14.02.01 select and use tools and equipment such as trowels, levels, plumb lines and measuring tapes
• E-14.02.02 select mortar according to job specifications and mortar type
• E-14.02.03 calculate the chimney height for draft according to manufacturers’ specifications, jurisdictional regulations and surrounding environment
• E-14.02.04 install masonry units to predetermined dimensions
• E-14.02.05 finish mortar joints according to job specifications

Sub-task E-14.03 Installs flue lining.

Key Competencies

• E-14.03.01 select and use tools and equipment and specified mortar
• E-14.03.02 calculate placement of flue lining according to appliance, manufacturers’ specifications and jurisdictional regulations
• E-14.03.03 calculate flue liner height and size to ensure proper draft
• E-14.03.04 create hole for thimble to receive appliance
• E-14.03.05 place and secure flue lining using specified mortar, according to jurisdictional regulations

Sub-task E-14.04 Installs related flashings.

Key Competencies

• E-14.04.01 select and use tools and equipment such as tin snips, grinders and measuring tapes
• E-14.04.02 determine type of flashing method to be used such as reglet or step flashing according to application
• E-14.04.03 cut reglet to receive counter flashing where roof material intersects chimney
• E-14.04.04 cut, install and seal flashing while building new chimney at roof intersections

Sub-task E-14.05 Installs caps.

Key Competencies

• E-14.05.01 select and use tools and equipment such as hammers, tape measures, trowels and power tools
• E-14.05.02 construct cap to direct water away from the chimney
• E-14.05.03 install cap flashing and bond break between chimney and cap to avoid water penetration
• E-14.05.04 form, create drip edge and pour reinforced concrete cap
• E-14.05.05 place pre-fabricated caps such as concrete, stone or metal
• E-14.05.06 insulate and seal between chimney cap and flue lining with non-combustible materials to protect against expansion and contraction, and water penetration

Task 15 Builds fireplaces.

Context

Fireplaces combust material to provide heat and vent smoke and gases to the chimney. Bricklayers may have to consider location of fireplaces in relation to prevailing winds and surrounding obstacles.

Required Knowledge

• K 1 codes and regulations such as NBC and CSA
• K 2 types of fireplaces
• K 3 fireplace and chimney operation
• K 4 firebox materials such as firebrick and fireclay, and their assembly
• K 5 expansion and contraction of installation materials
• K 6 size of openings required for room size
• K 7 size of liner based on opening size
• K 8 backup and veneer materials such as brick, stone, block and tile
• K 9 types of bonds
• K 10 foundation supports for hearth
• K 11 base construction for hearth
• K 12 damper installation and function
• K 13 smoke shelf and smoke chamber
• K 14 types and sizes of inserts such as electrical, gas and wood

Sub-task E-15.01 Builds foundation for hearth, firebox, backup material and veneer.

Key Competencies

• E-15.01.01 select and use tools and equipment such as measuring tapes, trowels and levels
• E-15.01.02 select and install materials such as concrete blocks and reinforced concrete
• E-15.01.03 calculate dimensions such as projection, width and height of hearth, firebox and veneer
• E-15.01.04 install openings required for ash dump and fresh air intake
• E-15.01.05 form and pour concrete to build foundation, according to job specifications
• E-15.01.06 place masonry units to build foundation, according to job specifications
• E-15.01.07 form and pour concrete slab on top of foundation to accommodate firebox and hearth

Sub-task E-15.02 Builds hearth, firebox and backup.

Key Competencies

• E-15.02.01 select and use tools and equipment such as measuring tapes, trowels and levels
• E-15.02.02 lay out dimensions of firebox to ensure proper proportion, according to plans
• E-15.02.03 lay firebricks for inner hearth
• E-15.02.04 lay backup bricks for outer hearth
• E-15.02.05 install ash dump and air intake
• E-15.02.06 cut firebricks and install walls of firebox
• E-15.02.07 lay masonry units to build backup with smoke shelf behind firebox and install anchoring system for veneer, according to NBC and CSA

Sub-task E-15.03 Installs damper.

Key Competencies

• E-15.03.01 assemble damper according to manufacturers’ specifications
• E-15.03.02 position non-combustible material between damper and top of firebox to allow for expansion and contraction
• E-15.03.03 set damper in place and ensure that it is leveled, and sealed but not bonded to the firebox

Sub-task E-15.04 Builds smoke chamber.

Key Competencies

• E-15.04.01 select and use tools and equipment such as levels, measuring tapes and trowels
• E-15.04.02 lay out dimensions of smoke chamber according to job specifications
• E-15.04.03 install lintels over the damper
• E-15.04.04 corbel brick to create smoke chamber to meet flue liner according to NBC and CSA
• E-15.04.05 parge smoke chamber and smoke shelf with mortar to allow for a smooth transition

Sub-task E-15.05 Prepares existing fireplace for insert.

Key Competencies

• E-15.05.01 select and use tools and equipment such as trowels, levels and hammers
• E-15.05.02 verify structural integrity of existing fireplace and chimney
• E-15.05.03 create rough opening to manufacturers’ specifications
• E-15.05.04 make modifications to existing fireplace components to meet job requirements
• E-15.05.05 install inserts in fireplace according to manufacturers’ specifications

Sub-task E-15.06 Faces fireplaces and inserts.

Key Competencies

• E-15.06.01 select and use tools and equipment such as trowels, levels, saws and bevel squares
• E-15.06.02 select materials such as brick, stone and tile according to client specifications and desired finished appearance
• E-15.06.03 determine mantel dimensions according to code and client specifications
• E-15.06.04 install mantel
• E-15.06.05 install lintels over opening
• E-15.06.06 install accessories such as fans, vents, clean-outs, doors and intake
• E-15.06.07 complete masonry veneer
• E-15.06.08 complete facing on outer hearth