GB2305493A

GB2305493A - A chimney structure

Info

Publication number: GB2305493A
Application number: GB9619780A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Hughes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-09-23
Filing date: 1996-09-23
Publication date: 1997-04-09
Anticipated expiration: 2016-09-23
Also published as: GB9619780D0; GB2305493B; GB9617630D0

Abstract

A lining (10) for a chimney structure (52), comprises a sleeve (12); a cap (30) located at one end (32) of the sleeve (12); and a trough (22) located at the other end (24) of the sleeve (12). The sleeve (12) is located, in use, between the chimney structure (52) and the flue (50). The sleeve (12) is mountable above the trough (22) which is arranged so that, in use, moisture entering the chimney structure (52) is guided downwardly to the trough (22) for drainage away from the chimney structure (52) via channels (59) in the chimney walls (56). A chimney pot (64) is located over and around a flange (42) of the cap (30). The pot is thereby slidably mounted on the chimney structure (52).

Description

A Chi:inev Structure The present invention relates to a chimney structure.

In particular, the present invention relates to a lining or pot for a chimney structure or stack.

Chimney structures are prone to water damage derived from rain penetrating the chimney structure. In particular, insulating material, which surrounds a chimney flue within a chimney stack, is prone to such water damage. Consequently, the effectiveness of the insulating material is reduced as too is the performance of che chimney, leading to poor draught due to cooling of flue gases and tarring of flue liners as the chimney dew point is lowered, all of which contribute to toxic gas circulation in a dwelling and an increased risk of chimney fire. It is an object of the present invention to alleviate these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a lining for a chimney structure, the lining comprising a sleeve and liquid collection means located at one end of the sleeve.

Preferably, a cap is located at the other end of the sleeve.

Preferably, the sleeve is located1 in use, within the chimney structure, said sleeve being mountable above said liquid collection means, said liquid collection means being arranged so that, in use, moisture within the chimney structure is guided downwardly to the liquid collection means for drainage away from the chimney structure.

More preferably, the sleeve and the liquid collection means are adapted to be located around and spaced-apart from a chimney flue, said chimney flue being located within the chimney structure.

Further preferably, the cap is adapted for location around the chimney flue.

Preferably, the liquid collection means comprises a base, in which base an aperture is formed to allow communication within the chimney structure through the base; a peripheral outer lipi an upturned inner lip formed around the aperture; and drainage means for channelling moisture, which moisture has in use collected in the liquid collection means, away from the liquid collection means, said liquid collection means being adapted for fitting into a chimney structure so that the outer lip is spaced-apart from and surrounds the chimney structure and that the upturned inner lip is spaced-apart from and surrounded by the chimney structure thereby defining an outer part of the liquid collection means located externally of the chimney structure and an inner part of the liquid collection means located within the chimney.structure.

More preferably, channel means are formed in the chimney structure so that the outer part of the liquid collection means is in liquid communication with the inner part of the liquid collection means.

Preferably, said drainage means are in liquid communication between the liquid collection means and a conventional gutter network.

Preferably, the chimney structure is incorporated into a roof structure, the liquid collection means being located beneath the level of the roof structure and the outer lip being upturned.

Alternatively, the chimney structure is incorporated into a roof structure, the peripheral outer lip has a downturned portion, the liquid collection means being adapted and arranged relative to the roof structure so that at least some of the moisture in the liquid collection means i8 directed from the liquid collection means along the external surface of the roof structure via the downturned portion of the outer lip.

Advantageously, the sleeve comprises a plurality of sub-eections.

Preferably, the lining is adapted and dimensioned for association with a pot for the chimney structure and a collar, said collar being mountable on the chimney structure and adapted for sliding engagement around the pot so that, in use, the pot is in slidable association with the chimney structure.

In a conventional chimney structure, a chimney pot is located on top of the chimney flue and rigidly mounted to the chimney structure. A problem associated with such conventional chimney structures results from environmental fluctuations causing the chimney flue and the surrounding insulating material to expand and/or contract. Expansion of the chimney flue exerts pressure on the chimney pot and the surrounding insulating material, which pressure can crack or damage the chimney pot, the fixant between the chimney pot and the chimney structure and/or the chimney stack itself.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a pot for a chimney structure and a collar, said collar being mountable on the chimney structure and adapted for sliding cngagement around the pot So that, in uee, the pot is in slidable association with the chimney structure.

Preferably, support means are located within the chimney structure, the pot being adapted to engage the support means so that, in use, the pot is supported by said support means More preferably, the pot has a base in which a continuous recess is formed, the support means being adapted to receive the recess.

Further preferably, a sealing ring is provided between the pot and the collar.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which; Figure 1 is an exploded perspecttve view of a lining according to the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the lining of Figure 1 in-situ in a chimney structure; Figure 3 is a side view of a pot for a chimney structure and a collar according to the second aspect of the invention; and Figure 4 is a detail of the side view of Figure 3.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, wherein similar numerals are used to indicate like parts, Figure 1 shows a lining generally indicated at 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The lining 10 includes a substantially rectangular sleeve 12 which comprises a plurality of sub-sections 14 which are substantially rectangular in cross-sectional area. Each sub-section 14 is provided with a widened mouth 16 at one end 18 so that each sub-section 14 is coaxially mountable on another sub-section 14. When mounted, the end 20 of one sub-secion 14 fits within the mouth 16 of another sub-section 14. The sub-sections 14 are thus mounted to form the sleeve 12. It will be appreciated that there are alternative ways in which the sub-sections can be mounted upon one another.For example, in Figure 3, each sub-section 314 has a neck 315 formed at one end, the opposite end 320 being adapted to receive the neck 315 of another sub-section 314; Liquid collection means in the form of a trough 22 is located at the lower end 24 of the sleeve 12. The trough 22 comprises a base 23 with an upturned peripheral outer lip 25. A central aperture 26 is formed in the base 23 about which aperture 26 an upturned inner lip 28 is formed. The aperture 26 allows communication within the chimney stack 52 through the base 23. The sleeve 12 is, in use, mounted on the trough 22 with the inner lip 2B located within the mouth 16 at the lower end 24 of the sleeve 12.

A cap 30 is located, in use, on the upper end 32 of the sleeve 12. The cap 30 is substantially rectangular in plan view and has an open end 34 around which a widened mouth 36 is formed. An aperture 38 is formed in the centre of the other end 40 of the cap 30. An upturned flange 42 is formed about the aperture 38. The cap 30 is mounted on the sleeve 12 with the upper end 32 of the sleeve 12 located within the mouth 36. The lining 10 may, for example, be formed from plastic which is heat resistant and non-permeable by water.

Figure 2 shows the lining 10, in-situ enclosing a chimney flue 50 within a chimney structure or chimney stack 52. The chimney stack 52 is incorporated in the roof structure 54 of an existing building structure (not shown). In-situ, the sleeve 12 is spaced-apart from the chimney stack 52 and the flue 50. The trough 22 is located around and spaced-apart from the flue 50 beneath the level of the roof structure 54 so that the flue 50 passes through the aperture 26. The trough 22 is fitted into the chimney stack 52 with the walls 56 of the chimney stack 52 engaging the base 23 so that the outer lip 25 surrounds the chimney stack 52.Thus the trough 22 is partitioned into an inner trough 58 and an outer trough 60. A pair of communication channels 59 are provided through the walls 56 so that liquid can flow between the outer and inner troughs 60 and 58 respectively. Drainage means in the form of a drainage pipe 62 is in liquid communication with the trough 22 and is also in liquid communication with the building structure's existing gutter network (not shown) to drain the contents of the trough 22.

It will be appreciated that the trough 22 does not necessarily have to be located entirely beneath the level of the roof structure. Accordingly, in an alternative embodiment of the invention (not illustrated), the trough 22 is so arranged that all or part of the trough 22 is located above the level of the roof structure 54. In such an arrangement, a portion of the outer lip 25 of the trough 22 iss downturned so that at least some of the liquid which is collected by che trough 22 is directed out of the trough 22 along the surface of the roof structure 54. In that event, a drainage pipe 62 is not necessarily required but may still be employed to assist the drainage of the trough 22.

The sleeve 12 extends upwards from the trough 22 to the cap 30 surrounding the flue 50. The dimensions of each of the sub-sections 14 can be selected to suit the dimensions of a particular chimney stack 52 and flue 50. Thus, by providing, for example, three different lengths of sub-sections 14, a length of sleeve 12 can be constructed to suit the length of chimney stack 52 it is desired to eervice. The flue 50 has an outlet 66. The cap 30 is adapted for location around the flue 50 adjacent the outlet 66. The cap 30 is arranged at the end 32 of the sleeve 12 so that the outlet 66 of the flue SO protrudes through and substantially fills the aperture 38. The upturned flange 42 of the cap 30 is preferably in sealing engagement with the flue 50 to prevent water ingress between the upturned flange 42 and the flue 50.

A chimney pot 64 is located over and around the upturned flange 42 resting on the cap 30 and enclosing the protruding outlet 66 of the flue 50.

The chimney stack 52 is constructed from bricks 71, around the lining 10 in a conventional manner. The chimney stack 52 is terminated by a precast capping 68, or the like, located around the chimney pot 64 and secured in place by a fixant such as mortar 72. The area between the lining 10 and the chimney flue 50 is filled with insulating material 70, for example, vermiculite inf ill. In use, water, for example rainwater, (not shown) penetrates the bricks 71 and the mortar 72 used in constructing the chimney stack 52.

Water which meets the lining 10 runs downwards along the exterior of the lining 10 and is collected in the trough 22. Likewise, water which runs down the interior of the chimney stack 52 is also collected in the trough 22. Similarly, water which penetrates a conventional flashing 74 and runs downwards along the exterior of the chimney stack 52 is collected in the trough 22.

In use, the cap 30 guides moisture, which has entered the chimney stack 52 from within and around the chimney pot 64, towards the sleeve 12 along which moisture is then guided towards the trough 22. It will be appreciated that for a chimney stack 52 which has been effectively sealed against moisture ingress from within and around the chimney pot 64, the presence of the cap 30 would not necessarily be required.

Hence the flue 50 and the insulating material 70 are protected against water damage. Furthermore, the trough 22 protects the building structure (not shown) beneath the level of the trough 22.

It is not uncommon for a building structure to include a chimney stack 52 as an aesthetic or non-functioning feature. In such cases the chimney stack 52 contains no chimney flue 50. The lining 10 may be adapted for use within an aesthetic chimney stack 52. Accordingly, in another embodiment of he invention (not illustrated), the central aperture 26 is closed since the trough 22 does not need to accommodate a chimney flue 50. The sleeve 12 and the cap 30 serve to protect the insulating material 70 which, in use, is located within the sleeve 12 from water damage, while the trough 22 serve a to protect the building structure beneath the level of the trough 22.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, a continuous annular recess 380 is formed in the base 382 of a chimney pot 364. The recess 380 is adapted to engage support means in the form of the chimney flue 50. The chimney flue 50 has an end 351. In use, the chimney pot 364 ie located over the chimney flue 50 so that the end 351 is seated within the recess 380. The chimney flue 50 thus supports the chimney pot 364. The recess 380 need not be continuous or annular and a skilled person would readily appreciate that there are a number of ways in which the chimney pot 364 could be adapted to receive the flue 50.

A precast capping 36e includes a collar 384. The collar 384 is substantially cylindrical in shape and has an inner annular flange 386 formed around its exterior at one end 388. An annular groove 390 is formed around the interior of the flange 386. A sealing ring 394 is seated within the groove 390 and is 60 dimensioned that it protrudes from the groove 390. The ring 394 may, for example, be formed from rubber.

In use, the flange 386 is located around the base 382 of the chimney pot 364 so that a gap 396 is formed between the base 382 and the flange 386. The flange 386 is arranged so that the protruding portion of the ring 394 is located around and engagea the chimney pot 364 thus sealing the gap 396. The collar 384 is further arranged so that a gap 399 is formed between the collar 384 and the end 40 of the cap 30. Mortar 72 is used to fix the collar 384 relative to the precast capping 368.

In this arrangement, the chimney pot 364 is slidable relative to the collar 384 and, therefore, to the chimney stack 52 in a direction substantially parallel with the main axis of the collar 384 (indicated by the arrow A in Figure 4). It will be noted that the sealing ring 394 serves to prevent rainwater entering the chimney stack 52 between the chimney pot 364 and the collar 384. It will further be appreciated that the chimney pot 364 can be readily removed from and replaced into the chimney stack 52 without damaging the pot 364 or the stack 52.

Alternatively, a flexible sealant (not shown) may be used to provide the seal between the chimney pot 364 and the collar 384. In such an embodiment, the flexible sealant replaces the sealing ring 394 and the groove 390 and is sufficiently flexible to allow relative movement between the chimney pot 364 and the collar 384.

During use, environmental fluctuations may cause the chimney flue 50 to expand or contract. Expansion of the chimney flue 50 exerts pressure on the chimney pot 364 to urge the chimney pot 364 upwards, as viewed in Figure 3. The chimney pot 364 thus slides upwards until the pressure is alleviated. As the flue 50 contracts, the chimney pot 364 moves downwards, as viewed in Figure 3, under its own weight. Upward movement of the chimney pot 364 alleviates the build-up of pressure within the chimney stack 52 which could otherwise damage the flue 50, the chimney stack 52, the precast capping 368 or the mortar 72.

The insulating material 70 may also expand or contact as a result of environmental fluctuations. Increased pressure created by the expansion of the insulating material 70 causes the cap 30 to ba pushed upwards as viewed in Figure 3 thereby alleviating said increased pressure.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the lining 10, according to the first aspect of the invention, in association with the slidable chimney pot 364 and collar 384 according to the second aspect of the invention. It will be appreciated that the presence of the lining 10 is not essential to the operation of the second aspect of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lining for a chimney structure, the lining comprising a sleeve and liquid collection means located at one end of the sleeve.

2. A lining according to Claim 1 in which, a cap is located at the other end of the sleeve.

3. A lining according to Claim 1 or 2 in which, the sleeve is located, in use, within the chimney structure, said sleeve being mountable above said liquid collection means1 said liquid collection means being arranged so that, in use, moisture within the chimney structure is guided downwardly to the liquid collection means for drainage away from the chimney structure.

4. A lining according to Claim 3 in which, the sleeve and the liquid collection means are adapted to be located around and spaced-apart from a chimney flue, said chimney flue being located within the chimney structure.

5. A lining according to Claim 4 in which, the cap is adapted for location around the chimney flue.

6. A lining according to any preceding claim in which, the liquid collection means comprises a base, in which base an aperture is formed to allow communication within the chimney structure through the basel a peripheral outer lip; an upturned inner lip formed around the aperture; and drainage means for channelling moisture, which moisture has in use collected in the liquid collection means, away from the liquid collection means, said liquid collection means being adapted for fitting into a chimney structure so that the outer lip is spaced-apart from and surrounds the chimney structure and that the upturned inner lip is spaced-apart from and surrounded by the chimney structure thereby defining an outer part of the liquid collection means located externally of the chimney structure and an inner part of the liquid collection means located within the chimney structure.

7. A lining according to Claim 6 in which, channel means are formed in the chimney structure so that the outer part of the liquid collection means is in liquid communication with the inner part of the liquid collection means.

8. A lining according to Claim 6 or 7 in which, said drainage means are in liquid communication between the liquid collection means and a conventional gutter network.

9 A lining according to any one of Claims 6-8 in which the chimney structure is incorporated into a roof structure, the liquid collection means being located beneath the level of the roof structure and the outer lip being upturned.

10. A lining according to any one of Claims 6-e in which, the chimney structure is incorporated into a roof structure, the peripheral outer lip has a downturned portion, the liquid collection means being adapted and arranged relative to the roof structure so that at least some of the moisture in the liquid collection means is directed from the liquid collection means along the external surface of the roof structure via the downturned portion of the outer lip.

11. A lining according to any preceding claim in which, the sleeve comprises a plurality of sub-sections.

12. A lining according to any preceding claim in which, the lining is adapted and dimensioned for association with a pot for the chimney structure and a collar, said collar being mountable on the chimney structure and adapted for sliding engagement around the pot so that, in use, the pot is in slidable association with the chimney structure.

13. A pot for a chimney structure and a collar, said collar being mountable on the chimney structure and adapted for sliding engagement around the pot so that, in useS the pot is in slidable association with the chimney structure.

14. A pot for a chimney structure and a collar according to Claim 13 in which, support means are located within the chimney structure, the pot being adapted to engage the support means eo that, in usc, the pot is supported by said support means.

15. A pot for a chimney structure and a collar according to Claim 14 in which, the pot has a base in which a continuous recess is formed, the support means being adapted to receive the recess.

16. A pot for a building structure and a collar according to any one of Claims 13-15 in which, a sealing ring is provided between the pot and the collar.

17. A lining for a chimney structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

18. A pot for a chimney structure and a collar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.