Chimney breast removal

An application for this work should be submitted as early as possible to the Building Control section and an inspection requested before the works commence works on site. The use of gallows brackets is dependant upon a number of factors which are detailed below and are not always allowable. Full details of the walling and loading will be required together with sketches from which an assessment will be made.

The two general methods of supporting the remaining chimney stack where the chimney breasts below are removed are with either gallows brackets or steel beams:

1. Gallows brackets

You are advised that if the neighbouring property has had their adjacent chimney breast removed previously or partially removed and gallows brackets support used, then gallows brackets will not be acceptable for removal of the chimney breast on the other side of the wall and steel beam(s) will be required.

2. Steel beams

Where gallows brackets are not being used, then a steel beam(s) will be required. If there are loadbearing walls either side of the chimney breast, then the building control surveyor may be able to provide you with guidance on the type of beam and bearing which should be provided. In other cases a structural engineer should be employed to design a solution.

Gallows bracket design guide

Brackets may be purchased from builders merchants and a guidance sheet is available to check the specification required by building control.

Please note that gallows brackets cannot be used if;

1. the wall to which they are to be fixed is less than 225mm thick, or

2. the projection of the breast is more than 340mm (more than one and a half times the thickness of the supporting wall), or

3. the adjacent neighbours chimney breasts have already been removed or partially removed and gallows brackets installed, or

4. the brickwork or mortar beds of the supporting walling are in poor condition

5. the wall is not brickwork ie. hollow clay pots, lightweight block or timber framing.