Fireplace and Chimney
Inspection Guide

This guide for the House of Horrors® in Boulder, Colorado, is currently being produced for self-guided tours.

The guide is based on and refers to the most recent International Residential Code (IRC), which can be found online at https://codes.iccsafe.org/public/collections/I-Codes.

Free, Online Course

To learn more, take InterNACHI's free, online How to Inspect Fireplaces, Stoves, and Chimneys Course.

Factory-Built Chimney

Factory-built chimneys should be installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations and building code. Pre-fab chimneys should be labeled on all components of the chimney system, including pipe sections, shields, fittings and caps.

Most factory-built chimneys are double-walled fiber-insulated or triple-walled air-insulated pipe systems.

Chimney Termination

Factory-built chimneys should terminate at least 3 feet above the highest point where the pass through a roof and not less than 2 feet higher than any part of a house within a horizontal distance of 10 feet.

Observation

A crack in the fireplace fire box floor. Recommend sealing with Fireclay Mortar.

Observation

Double wall Chimney Flu pipe must have a minimum of 2” of clearance from all combustible material.

Observation

Combustible mantels must have 6” of clearance from the Fireplace opening.

Observation

Chimney does not meet the clearance requirements from the roof surface. (Please see image below). Spark arrestor is damaged. The inner flue chamber is loose inside the flue.

Observation

Double wall Chimney Flue pipe must have a minimum of 2” of clearance from all combustible material.

Observation

A non-combustible hearth is recommended in front of the Fireplace (26” deep and 40 ¼” wide).

Observation

Chimney chase is missing the siding and trim. The Chimney chase pan is not secured or installed correctly. (See image below for correct installation). Chimney is missing the rain collar.

Observation

Chimney Chase has water damaged sheathing. Chimney chase does not have any exterior finish installed. Chimney Chase is not flashed correctly to protect the underlayment system (see below image for correct installation recommendations).