Masonry chimney construction is regulated by the building code. Unlike UL or some other "listing" the building code is not proprietary. The sections which regulate residential construction are "prescriptive" so that they can be understood and followed by a contractor or craftsman without needing to hire an engineer.

The several "model codes" used in the United States ten years ago (BOCA, NFPA, UBC and SBCCI) have all being merged into one new International Building Code (IBC) and it's residential counterpart, the International Residential Code (IRC). This has been a major ten year long effort and now the 2012 IRC is in print. The part that regulates fireplaces and chimneys - is CHAPTER 10, CHIMNEYS AND FIREPLACES.

ICC Codes

The Internatioanl Code council (ICC) has also developed somewhat compatable and overlapping internatioanal plumbing, fire, electrical, fuel gas, energy, green and existing building codes. In addition to the building codes, most states and some local jurisdictions and once in a while the federal government sometimes adopt or enact various energy, indoor air quality and emissions regulations. All of these codes and regulations are generally enforced by the building official. Many of these regulations, insofar as they impact masonry fireplace and chimney construction, are on line linked from the "code" page.

Some important changes took place right away when all the modle codes were combined into the ICC codes. Chimney Clearances Clay Flue Lining Seismic reinforcement

Other important changes happened as recently as this year and won't be in the code until 2015. Chimney Clearances Revisited Chimney Caps

Page objective: 1) clearances 2) flue lining installation 3) seismic reinforcing 4) chimney caps
5) 8' chimney walls 6) insulation vs. air space 7) prescriptive code vs UL

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