Confused about sealing around firestop

  • Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.

    We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.

    We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil.
  • Hope everyone has a wonderful and warm Thanksgiving!
  • Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
Oct 31, 2019
17
MD
Preparing to install my Quadra-Fire fireplace, and I'm confused by this statement in the manual:

Warning! Risk of Fire! Do NOT seal area between firestop opening and chimney pipe except where they enter the attic or leave the warm air envelope of the home (use 600° F sealant).

Based on my understanding of this statement, I'm not sure where I need to be careful to NOT seal...

My 2x4 framed chase runs outside the house from the first floor, past the second floor and attic space. The original fireplace installation had a piece of OSB between the first and second floors, with a firestop in between (no framing). I'm adding 2x8 framing with plywood on top and will insulate above. Is the area below this considered the "warm air envelope"? If so, then I should apply sealant between the firestop and the chimney pipe, right?
 
Often times the firestop is within the envelope of the home, in a multi floor interior chase. In this case, the firestop would not be sealed. If the firestop is your ceiling/attic, then it would be sealed to prevent air infiltration.