DIY brick wall?

[kambuckta]

I want to install a new wood-fire box heater in my kitchen to replace the ancient old smokey thing that currently heats the house. As part of the upgrade, I want to place the new heater in a different position in the room.

Australian regulations for such installations specify that this heater need be 750mm from a side wall, and 250mm from a rear wall....when those walls are made of combustible materials, as mine currently are. However, those distances can be minimised if non-combustible (ala brick) walls are present. We DO have the space to accomodate the larger areas, but of course would like to keep as much room available as possible, thus:

I'm wondering if it's sensible for us to undertake building such a brick wall ourselves? It would be app. 1.5m high, with 1.5m along one wall and 1.0m along another. It will not be supporting anything, and will be built parallel to the current walls. How difficult would this job be, for two people of normal intelligence, the sense to read-up on the nitty gritty of the job, a familiarity with most tools and some general handyman skills between us? Alas, neither of us have ever done any actual bricklaying, hence the query.

The main problem is that it is dead hard to get tradesmen at the moment. There's a bit of a building boom around here, so to ask a brickie to do such a 'small' job is nigh on impossible. I really want to get this heater installed asap 'cos it's bloody cold at the moment, and the current heater chews through the wood like it doesn't grow on trees or something!! :D

Any advice gratefully appreciated. Cheers.

[Sparky812]

Not sure about Australian building codes but does it have to be Fire brick or just plain brick? Why does it have to be brick at all? What about other fire retardant materials or heat shields?
I recently had an old masonry fireplace retrofitted for a high efficiency wood burning insert. Luckily, I found an old retired mason who rebuilt the inside fire brick to spec for a good price. He would do odd jobs just to keep busy and was great! There's not many of the old stone/brick masons around that do quality work like this anymore. Brick laying is an art and a DIY will always look as such. It's tough to get the mortar right, align and level each brick and tier without being practised at it.

[kambuckta]

It just needs to be ordinary masonry bricks Sparky, as the wall just needs to be non-combustible. I guess we COULD line the walls with sheetmetal or some other, but aesthetically-speaking, brick would be better.

I know that bricklaying IS a true artform, but I guess I was wondering whether for such a small job, amateurs like ourselves might be able to 'wing' it with some basic information and tools etc.

[Sparky812]

Sorry, my answer is yes, you could probably do it yourself, I mean it's behind your heater box anyway so who would see it?

[cornflakes]

Here's what I'd do: call the building inspection division, explain the situation to the secretary who answers the phone and ask if it would be ok to discuss the wall with the head inspector. Then, head on down, explain your space limitations and ask what is needed to meet the fire resistant wall requirement. It may be that building the wall as a three hour fire-restant wall will reduce the space requirements, and you may be able to get away with doubling the sheetrock, adding a cement board panel, or something like that. Unless you really like the look, it seems like building a brick wall may be a lot of unnecessary work.

I should warn that building inspectors and inspection departments can have attitudes that range all over the place. In my city (Austin, Texas, USA), the development and review department has changed over the years from a bunch of guys who would red tag a project for the wrong color of paint to a group that bent over backwards to get things built. The inspectors for your jurisdiction will be who they are. Also, be respectful. They're the ones who have the final say.

[SheShe1]

YIKES! Don't go blabbing to the "man". Most of the time they know less than the person asking! No telling what they'll come up with to 'fumux' your thoughts! You can do this job!

As you have said, "two people of normal intelligence, the sense to read-up on the nitty gritty of the job, a familiarity with most tools and some general handyman skills between us" are at your disposal. Trust yourself. When you are done you'll have more than protection from heat... you will have a sense of accomplishment that money cannot buy.

[kambuckta]

Hehehe SheShe1, don't panic....I would never even CONSIDER going to 'the man' to ask for permission for the job. I dunno about where you live, but here in Australia, the minute you approach a local council to install or renovate anything in your house, you're doomed to a shitload of paperwork and bureaucratic bullshit for months and YEARS before you finally get the yay/nay. Damned if I'm gonna do THAT...I want this fireplace installed in the next week or so, not next year. :D

We had a real brickie come in for a quote today....depending upon what exorbitant amount he wants to charge and WHEN he can do the job will decide whether we do it ourselves or not I guess.

Tomorrow is Decision Day....I'll let you know.