Hi,

There have been a number of articles in Fine Home Building and elsewhere about sealing the fire place chimney penetration into the attic.  While it will be difficult to do in my 1970’s house this is not my primary question.  My fireplace is located in the the corner of a room that is interior to the house.  The walls that form the corner in back of the fireplace are a good foot away from the brick fireplace, but they have absolutely no insulation.  Half inch sheet rock is the only material seperating the rooms on the other sides of wall from the fireplace void and all the assorted hot and cold air depending on the season.  Yes, I can feel the heat in the summer and cold in the winer. These walls are in closets and I have intentionally used the closet shelves for storage of blankets and boxes to provide “insulation.”  But before sealing the attic penetration, I would like to know if I can insulate the walls legally with simple bat insulation, possibly with foil back???  Yes, I will have to cut access holes in the walls and reseal the sheet rock afterwards.  In the exteme or just common sense situation I could see building codes requiring sheet rock on both the interior and exteriors (walls facing back of fireplace) of these walls with insulaton in between. 

Brick fireplace being in a corner location is massive with a fire brick lining that I believe is backed by metal box that is also enclosed in the chimney’s brick.

Since, I am not in the city I do not have a building inspector to consult with.

I live in central Louisiana.  Finding people with more than an opinion has been interesting.

Cal