Chimney breast: Difference between revisions

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A chimney breast is a portion of a chimney which projects forward from a wall to accommodate a fireplace.^[1] Typically on the ground floor of a structure, the masonry extends upwards, containing a flue which carries smoke out of the building through a chimney stack.^[2] Chimney jambs similarly project from the wall, but they do so on either side of the fireplace and serve to support the chimney breast.^[3] The interior of a chimney breast is commonly filled with brickwork or concrete.^[4]

The construction and appearance of a chimney breast can vary according to function and style. English and American builders more often treat the chimney breast and fireplace as distinct architectural features, whereas French buildings have gradually trended towards concealed construction.^[5]

False chimney breasts

False chimney breasts are sometimes constructed around a twin-walled flue or against a wall pierced by a flue for purely cosmetic purposes. Typically they will consist of a timber frame or stud work covered with plaster board and a plaster skim. If the false breast contains a flue, it may be necessary to line it with a refractory material such as vermiculite. Usually, additional cosmetic features will be added, such as cosmetic beams, overmantels or fireplace surrounds.

Removal

Chimney breasts often become redundant with respect to their function as a chimney after the installation of alternative heating methods, such as central heating. Removing a chimney breast can create more floor space and a more regular-shaped room, but since chimney breasts often have a structural function, removal requires careful planning. It’s essential to consult a structural engineer and follow building regulations. Use appropriate PPE, especially dust masks (FFP3) to avoid inhaling fine particles, such as silica and asbestos, which can be smaller than 2.5 microns. These particles can be harmful if inhaled, so professional advice and asbestos testing are recommended. The removal of part (especially the lower part) of a breast can cause uneven loading on a wall, especially if the upper part is not suitably supported, ideally on an I-beam.^[6] In some cases, support on a steel beam and post, or by gallows brackets may be acceptable with party wall agreement. A gallows bracket cannot be used on both sides of the party wall without removing the chimney stack.

Other factors that need to be considered when removing a chimney breast are:^[7]

Fire safety, in particular for party walls.
Noise insulation
Effect on neighbour's chimney
Damp prevention
Ventilation

References

^ Jack Stroud Foster; Roger Greeno (2007). Structure and Fabric. Prentice Hall. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-13-197094-6.
^ Burkinshaw, Ralph; Parrett, Mike (2003). Diagnosing Damp. RICS Books. p. 55. ISBN 9781842190975.
^ Stephen Emmitt; Christopher A. Gorse; Robin Barry (2005). Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 562. ISBN 1-4051-1055-4.
^ Hugh Chisholm (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica (11 ed.). p. 527.
^ Semes, Steven W. (2004). The Architecture of the Classical Interior. W. W. Norton & Company. pp. 149–152. ISBN 9780393730753.
^ "Am I safe without a chimney breast?".
^ "Chimney stack removal and the Building Regulations".

External links

How to wallpaper a chimney breast

[1] Jack Stroud Foster; Roger Greeno (2007). Structure and Fabric. Prentice Hall. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-13-197094-6.

[burkinshaw-2] Burkinshaw, Ralph; Parrett, Mike (2003). Diagnosing Damp. RICS Books. p. 55. ISBN 9781842190975.

[emmitt-3] Stephen Emmitt; Christopher A. Gorse; Robin Barry (2005). Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 562. ISBN 1-4051-1055-4.

[4] Hugh Chisholm (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica (11 ed.). p. 527.

[semes-5] Semes, Steven W. (2004). The Architecture of the Classical Interior. W. W. Norton & Company. pp. 149–152. ISBN 9780393730753.

[6] "Am I safe without a chimney breast?".

[7] "Chimney stack removal and the Building Regulations".

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[Image:Chimney Breast.jpg|right|thumb|In this case a brick chimney breast]]
+[[Image:Chimney Breast.jpg|right|thumb|A brick chimney breast]]
-A '''chimney breast''' is a portion of a [[wall]] which projects forward over a [[fireplace]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Structure and Fabric|author=Jack Stroud Foster|author2=Roger Greeno|publisher=[[Prentice Hall]]|date=2007|page=190|isbn=0-13-197094-1|url=http://books.google.ca/books?id=mhYCsyHvdTIC&dq=chimney+breast}}</ref> Chimney jambs similarly project from the wall, but they do so on either side of the fireplace and serve to support the chimney breast.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings|author=Stephen Emmitt|coauthors=Christopher A. Gorse, Robin Barry|publisher=[[Wiley-Blackwell]]|date=2005|page=562|isbn=1-4051-1055-4|url=http://books.google.ca/books?id=a1a3EHjQnFgC&dq=chimney+breast&lr=&source=gbs_navlinks_s}}</ref> The interior of a chimney breast is commonly filled with [[brickwork]] or [[concrete]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|editor=[[Hugh Chisholm]]|edition=11|page=527}}</ref>
+A '''chimney breast''' is a portion of a [[chimney]] which projects forward from a wall to accommodate a [[fireplace]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Structure and Fabric|author=Jack Stroud Foster|author2=Roger Greeno|publisher=[[Prentice Hall]]|date=2007|page=190|isbn=978-0-13-197094-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mhYCsyHvdTIC&q=chimney+breast}}</ref> Typically on the ground floor of a structure, the [[masonry]] extends upwards, containing a [[flue]] which carries [[smoke]] out of the building through a [[chimney stack]].<ref name=burkinshaw>{{cite book|last1=Burkinshaw|first1=Ralph|first2=Mike|last2=Parrett|title=Diagnosing Damp|date=2003|publisher=RICS Books|isbn=9781842190975|pages=55}}</ref> Chimney [[jamb]]s similarly project from the wall, but they do so on either side of the fireplace and serve to support the chimney breast.<ref name=emmitt>{{Cite book|title=Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings|author=Stephen Emmitt|author2=Christopher A. Gorse |author3=Robin Barry |publisher=[[Wiley-Blackwell]]|date=2005|page=562|isbn=1-4051-1055-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a1a3EHjQnFgC&q=chimney+breast}}</ref> The interior of a chimney breast is commonly filled with [[brickwork]] or [[concrete]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]|editor=Hugh Chisholm|editor-link=Hugh Chisholm|edition=11|page=527}}</ref>
+The construction and appearance of a chimney breast can vary according to function and style. English and American builders more often treat the chimney breast and fireplace as distinct architectural features, whereas French buildings have gradually trended towards concealed construction.<ref name=semes>{{cite book|title=The Architecture of the Classical Interior|last=Semes|first=Steven W.|publisher=W. W. Norton & Company|date=2004|isbn=9780393730753|pages=149–152|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3D6zbLtyanIC&pg=PA150}}</ref>
+==False chimney breasts==
+False chimney breasts are sometimes constructed around a [[twin-walled flue]] or against a wall pierced by a flue for purely cosmetic purposes.  Typically they will consist of a timber frame or stud work covered with plaster board and a plaster skim.  If the false breast contains a flue, it may be necessary to line it with a [[refractory]] material such as [[vermiculite]].  Usually, additional cosmetic features will be added, such as cosmetic beams, [[overmantel]]s or fireplace surrounds.
+==Removal==
+Chimney breasts often become redundant with respect to their function as a chimney after the installation of alternative heating methods, such as [[central heating]].  Removing a chimney breast can create more floor space and a more regular-shaped room, but since chimney breasts often have a structural function, removal requires careful planning. It’s essential to consult a structural engineer and follow building regulations. Use appropriate PPE, especially dust masks (FFP3) to avoid inhaling fine particles, such as silica and asbestos, which can be smaller than 2.5 microns. These particles can be harmful if inhaled, so professional advice and asbestos testing are recommended.  The removal of part (especially the lower part) of a breast can cause uneven loading on a wall, especially if the upper part is not suitably supported, ideally on an [[rolled steel joist|I-beam]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/interiors/jeffhowell/3359453/Am-I-safe-without-a-chimney-breast.html|title = Am I safe without a chimney breast?}}</ref>  In some cases, support on a steel beam and post, or by [[gallows bracket]]s may be acceptable with party wall agreement. A gallows bracket cannot be used on both sides of the party wall without removing the chimney stack.
+Other factors that need to be considered when removing a chimney breast are:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.richmond.gov.uk/chimney_stack_removal_and_the_building_regulations|title = Chimney stack removal and the Building Regulations}}</ref>
+* Fire safety, in particular for party walls.
+* Noise insulation
+* Effect on neighbour's chimney
+* Damp prevention
+* Ventilation
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+{{Reflist}}
+==External links==
+* [http://www.housetohome.co.uk/articles/wallpapering-a-chimney-breast-how-to-wallpaper-diy-advice_315299.html How to wallpaper a chimney breast]
 [[Category:Chimneys]]