I am refacing a fireplace with sandstone. The front face of the fireplace has a ledge that is built to the footing, so I am not concerned with weight while refacing only the front. But I would like to face the sides also, by using the wood framing there as bearing support, since it would not be easy to bring additional masonry support up from the basement floor. Since these joists are relatively short (<4′) and not so likely to flex, is this ok, or must the wood be eliminated. One end of the joists rests on a masonry pier, and the other end can be additionally supported midway by running an angle from the masonry ledge. Is this Ok, or should brick or stone never be supported by wood, no matter how well supported? If no, why not. Is the wood just too compressible? too weak? shrink too much? Thanks.
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Replies
Too combustible.
in this particular location, i am a long way from the firebox, so i don't believe that this will be an issue?
Your local building code probably adresses the issue, but where I saw it was in the Brick Industry Association technical notes on their web site, http://www.bia.org You can't support masonry on any combustible material, because if it burns, the masonry falls down, whether or not it's part of a fireplace or chimney, and regardless of the source of ignition.
I had the feeling that I had not gotten the intent of your initial post...thanks for the clarification. It had not occurred to me to think about what could happen in the case of a house fire, since fortunately I have been spared the experience of such a thing. I guess that's why code is important. I appreciate the comments, and will look for another way to gain proper support. Thanks also for the link...I will check it out tomorrow.