chimney breast removal

[debbie61]

hi there,
i would be very grateful for any help or advice.
we have a mid terraced house and are thinking of removing the downstairs chimney breast from our living room to make a little more space. can we leave the bedroom chimney breast where it is upstairs and what kind of supports ect would we need as we dont want a disaster?
thanks in advance.

 

[^woody^]

Gallows brackets are a minimum but it depends if the party wall is in good enough condition to get a fixing to.

Otherwise you need to span one or more steel beams across the room

If the breast is no more than 225mm deep from the party wall, then you may be able to just corbel the brickwork (google for details) in or above the floor

You need this looking at by a suitably qualified person to advise on what is needed, and you should also put a building notice in to the council for building regulation approval.

The Party Wall Act may also apply, but decide yourself if you want to follow it. But its normally advisable to tell the neighbours in any case so that if they decide to do the same, then the wall and rest of any shared chimney stays up