TOPAZ Owner's Manual
16
RSF Woodburning Fireplaces
CHASE ENCLOSURE
If the chimney runs up the outside of the house, we
recommend that it be enclosed in a chase structure.
The chase should be constructed in such a way that it
is an extension of the home (see Figure 11). It should
be well insulated between the footings and the floor of
the home to prevent heat loss. If the climate in your
area is mild, insulate the chase at least to the first
firestop. If the climate in your area is very cold,
insulate the chase to the top to keep the chimney
warmer, increase the draft, and reduce creosote
buildup. We also recommend to insulate the ceiling of
the chase just as if it were in the attic space. This will
prevent cold air from dropping down through the chase
and into the room where the fireplace is installed (see
Figure 11).
Some local codes require that the walls be insulated,
vapor sealed and sheathed with a fire rated gypsum
board (see Figure 11). We strongly recommend this
procedure for all installations to prevent cold drafts
from originating in the fireplace enclosure. If you follow
this procedure, we recommend that you do not
insulate the wall above the front of the fireplace.
REMEMBER:
Check local codes concerning
installation requirements and restrictions in your area.
MASONRY CHIMNEY
Installing your TOPAZ fireplace with a masonry
chimney still requires using EXCEL chimney from the
top of the fireplace to the wall where it will connect to a listed liner that will run up inside the masonry chimney
(see Figure 12).
The stainless steel liner should be fitted inside the clay liner all the way to the top of the masonry chimney. It is
not meant to replace the clay liner. You can use either the EXCEL liner or any other listed liner to ULC-S635,
ULC-S640 or UL-1777.
Special care is to be taken to make sure that you have a good solid connection between the EXCEL chimney and
the liner. A masonry adaptor (FO-FDM7) was designed specifically for that purpose and is available from your
RSF dealer. It will attach to the liner
with 3 stainless steel rivets (provided)
and to the EXCEL chimney with 3
screws (provided).
After mortaring in place, the
connection between the EXCEL
chimney and the liner should not be
visible in order to isolate the heat
released through the liner from the
fireplace enclosure.
As depicted in Figure 12, you must
install at least one 18" length of
EXCEL chimney after the EXCEL
chimney elbow. The uppermost part
of the EXCEL chimney - where it
enters the masonry chimney - must
be a minimum of 12" from the ceiling.
10'
2' min.
Optional
Decorative
Shroud
Insulation
Chase liner of fire rated
gypsum board is
recommended (may be
required by local authorities)
Radiation
Shield,
with Storm
Collar in
the Attic
R
S
F
Fi
re
pl
ac
e
Figure 11 Chimney Installed with a Chase
Enclosure Example
Mortar
Mortar
Clearances as per
NBC or NFPA 211
EXCEL liner or other listed liner to
ULC-S635, ULC-S640 or UL-1777
12" min. to
combustible ceiling
EXCEL chimney
lenght: 18" min.
EXCEL chimney
elbow
Masonry Adaptor
FO-FDM7
Metal
Firestop
Liner
Elbow
RS
F
Fi
replace
Figure 12 Connection to a Masonry Chimney