341 91ST PL SE 2018-01-02 MF Import

��Illill Afasonry institute of Was January 19, 1981 Memo: Mr. Jack Carton From: Gene Salveson Subject: YOUR FAMILY ROOM FIREPLACE Observations: The raised hearth and the masonry that it sits on are supported by the wood floor. The edge of the hearth that aborts the fireplace is not supported by or notched into the fireplace facing. The face of the fireplace is completely supported by the hearth. There are cracks in hearth and the facing above the top of the arch opening. The depth of the outer hearth is 15 inches from the face of the fireplace, 12 inches from the projection of the arch brick. The total depth of the firebox hearth and the outer hearth measure 37 inches. You reported an insurance problem due to the city inspection that the fireplace hearth dimensions.do not meet code requirements. The total hearth depth meets the code requirement of 36 inches that is required for the opening size of your fireplace. For efficiency, control of sparks, etc., the fire is built as close to the hack wall of the firebox as possible. The total depth of the hearth is more important than either of the parts for spark and accidental log roll —out control. Therefore, it is my opinion that the hearth dimension of 15 inches from the face of the fireplace and the total depth of 37 inches conform to the intent of the code. The fireplace hearth and facing is not in accordance with the code. The code requires both to be supported by the fireplace structure. wrr�� The cracks in the facing and the hearth are caused from heat may be aggravated by the lack of proper support. Continued shrinkage or deflectfon of the wood floor system will, in my opinion, increase the size of present cracks and will create others in the future. I would recommend that the hearth and facing be removed and rebuilt as per code. LES:mhs 2366 Eastlake An. E. Searle, WA 98102 Ph. 12061 329-0998