Building Control Advice Sheet BC14

CHIMNEY BREAST REMOVALS

Issue No. 2 Aug 2007

CHIMNEY BREAST
REMOVALS
Background
Since the 1960s coal and gas fires have become less fashionable and have been largely replaced by central heating. The
removal of disused chimney breasts can create additional floor space and larger living areas, especially in bedrooms.

The preferred option is to remove the stack fully. Alternatively, part of the stack may be retained. This guidance leaflet provides
advice on how to undertake this simple project. Advice Sheet BC11 shows how to get the necessary consent via a building
notice.

Is it Suitable?
Most chimneys in semi--detached or terraced houses are installed back to back on to the party walls between two properties.
These are generally suitable for removal. Some chimneys are installed within the party wall and cannot be removed safely
unless both neighbours are in agreement.

225mm party wall -

continuous 105mm
225mm
105mm

Traditional flue – suitable Shared flue – unsuitable

Fig. 1

The chimney may also provide buttressing to a gable wall (especially if you have already created a through lounge), and may
also be unsuitable for removal as it acts as a pier. Check Fig. 2 below to ensure that the gable wall has sufficient restraint.

length of wall – max. 6m length of wall – max. 6m

wall
thickness
450mm min. – 225mm
(or 2 x thickness) gable wall min.
(cavity or solid)

centre line of chim-

ney

675mm min.

190mm min.

Fig. 2
 Support Method
Medway Council accepts two support methods:

Method 1. Gallows Brackets

Suitable for back to back chimneys, this consists of 75mm mild steel angle brackets installed in the roof space (Fig. 3).
The amount of chimney above the roof line should not exceed that below it for the system to balance (Fig. 4).

6mm MS
checker
plate

75 x 75mm
mild steel
angle –
welded or
bolted
Side
together

pre-drilled
holes for
Rawlbolts

number of brackets to match

Incorrect Correct
length Max span between
Plan
brackets = 600mm
Fig. 3 Fig. 4

Method 2. Steel Beams

This is suitable in all cases. Chimney breasts left hanging in upper levels tend to pull the wall over due to the eccectric centre
of gravity (Fig. 5a). For adequate support of high level chimney breasts, steel beams should be inserted to both sides of the
hearth (Fig. 5b). Alternatively, the beam may be installed immediately beneath the chimney, spanning from wall to wall (Fig.
5c).

wall and stack bend about

bracket point due to
eccentric stack weight (w)
size dependant on
distance between
supports
provide steel
w beams to carry
ˆ

breast on 1st
1 floor 1
®

breast
G removed G Section
®

Plan

Fig. 5a Fig. 5b Fig. 5c

Other Work
The support in all cases must be protected against fire by encasement in plaster board. This protection may be provided by
the ceiling if the support is above it.
Whichever approach is used, the disused flues should be capped by an air brick. Redundant hearths should be removed, the
floors and roof repaired and the plasterboard/plaster patched and made good.