Chimney Breast Removal Support
If chimney breasts are to be removed then this is typically done in one of three ways.
Chimney breast removal support. They are triangular brackets bolted to the masonry wall with a lintel installed across the gallows to support the brickwork above the removed breast. When you remove the chimney breast you will need to support the brickwork above with either the use of gallows brackets or a Rolled Steel Joist RSJ which will be determined based upon how much load bearing occurs. A gathered flue to a central stack.
Smith Sons is a leading provider of chimney removal chimney support and structural support services operating in the South East. They display a remarkable level by telling clients all they need to know about the whole chimney removal process. Gallows brackets should only be used if.
Chimney Breast Support. The stack is not completely vertical ie. Particular care needs to be taken when the wall is a Party Wall with a neighbour.
Skip to content Chimney Breast Removal. When a chimney breast is removed sometimes a recess is found in the wall for the flues. What problems are involved when removing Chimney Breasts.
However within the roof space the chimney stack remains unsupported now by anything below it on the floor beneath. If they have been removed and gallows brackets chimney support have been used then the use of gallows brackets will not be acceptable. In this case some methods of support for instance Gallows Brackets see.
Gallows brackets were commonly used to support the joists and floor above a removed chimney breast. Older properties were built with fireplaces in every room - with modern central heating chimney breast are often unused and considered as wasted floor space. Essentially you have to prop the chimney up in place first by using supports.
Extra steel beams are included in the loft floor framework to support the brickwork above. It used to be the case that two or more gallows brackets would be used for this purpose with a concrete lintel across to support the brickwork above but lots of local authorities wont accept gallows brackets now and insist that you a Rolled Steel Joist RSJ to achieve the support. Once the bricks are removed the remaining chimney stack will need to be supported.
Sometimes 2 or 3 beams are required. To remove a chimney breast at ground or first floor you must first support the chimney adequately. Alternative Method of Supporting a Chimney Breast Another way of supporting the remaining Chimney Breast or Stack is via the installation of Rolled Steel Beam RSJ which provide support on suitable load-bearing walls usually being those walls which run perpendicular to the Stack or Breast.
Chimney demolition jobs are handled by our structural engineers who are very experienced in the field. How to install Gallows Brackets. A chimney breast forms part of the structure of a house and needs to be removed both with the right planning and preparation in place.
Sometimes a single beam is necessary to support a chimney. If upper sections of the chimney are being retained they will need to be supported using strongboys on steel acrow props before removing the structure below. Chimney Breasts are often removed by property owners when fires are no longer used to give increased living space.
Furthermore unless the entire chimney is being removed from the fireplace to the roof stack suitable support beams will need to be incorporated to support any masonry above and avoid either structural distress or damage. Thick pieces of wood have been used screwed into the walls and surrounding joists. However this solution is not always acceptable to Building Control.
Support the Chimney Stack at the Loft Floor Level. When considering whether a chimney breast removal was done satisfactorily our chartered surveyors will not only look at how the remaining chimney is supported but also damp prevention fire regulations and ventilation. If the chimney breast is to be removed right up into the roofspace then it may be possible to support the remaining chimney with a fabricated steel frame which is bolted to the wall.
If you have been experiencing damp i. This support should be kept in place until the new permanent support designed by a structural engineer is in place. Other family members have concerns that steel has not been used to support the chimney breasts above.
How to remove a chimney stack or chimney breast safely and understand the building regulations that govern this project. Chimney breast Removal Steel Beam Installation RSJ Steel Beam Installation Box Frame Installation Chimney Breast Removal Using Steal beam Structural Support. The breasts below can them be removed and remedial work carried out to make good the rooms.
The danger of an unsupported chimney breast If such removal works do take place the chimney breast at ground floor level although no longer useable can be left in position. The thickness of the party wall between the chimney breasts should be at least 215mm thick in order to be strong enough to support the gallows brackets and remaining chimney breast and chimney stack.
