Does the spark arrester height guidance apply if I'm only replacing a cap?

Sometimes. The City of Sausalito Building Division's guidance is about what plans should specify, so it applies directly when the cap work is part of a project with submitted plans. For a stand-alone cap replacement, check with the Building Division about what applies to your home.

How is the two-foot measurement taken?

It is measured from the spark arrester's lowest opening up from any roof surface within ten feet horizontally of the chimney. On a capped chimney, the lowest opening is usually the bottom edge of the cap's screen. The nearest roof is not always the one that matters, so every roof surface inside that ten-foot range counts.

Can a chimney cap act as the spark arrester?

Yes, many can. A cap with a mesh screen around its sides usually serves as the spark arrester. The screen needs to be intact and fitted properly, and its lowest opening needs enough height above nearby roofs.

What if my chimney is too short for the arrester to clear nearby roofs?

A taller cap can add some height, but it won't always be enough. If the lowest opening still can't clear the roof surfaces within ten feet, the chimney itself may need to be raised or rebuilt. We'll measure and explain the options during the estimate.

Can a cap go on a chimney with a cracked crown?

Usually not until the crown is repaired. A cap anchored to a crumbling crown can work loose, and water will keep getting into the cracks. We fix the masonry first, then fit the cap so it stays secure.

Chimney Cap Installation in Sausalito, CA

Chimney Cap Installation for Sausalito Homes

A properly fitted cap keeps rain, debris and animals out of your flue, and its mesh screen can catch sparks before they reach the roof. For Sausalito homes, it also helps to know how the City's Building Division describes spark arrester height on plans.

What a chimney cap installation covers

A cap installation starts with measuring the flue opening and checking the crown the cap will sit on. Then we choose a cap that fits the flue, has the right screen and leaves enough clearance for smoke to exit freely. We secure it so wind can't lift it off and confirm the screen is clear of the flue edge. If the crown or top courses of brick can't hold a cap securely, we tell you before anything is installed. For materials, cap styles and the full process, read about our chimney cap installation service.

Spark arrester height on Sausalito plans

The City of Sausalito Building Division asks that plans specify chimney spark arresters and dimension the arrester's lowest opening at least two feet above any roof within ten feet horizontally. (Source: City of Sausalito Building Division - Local Building Ordinances.)

Who this applies to

The guidance applies to plans submitted to the Building Division. If your cap work is part of a remodel, addition or other project with drawings, those plans should show the spark arrester and the dimension from its lowest opening to the roof. If you're only replacing or adding a cap on an existing chimney, check with the Building Division about what applies to your job.

What it changes about the installation

On many chimneys the cap's mesh screen is the spark arrester. That makes the cap's lowest opening the point to measure. This is the bottom edge of the screened area, not the top of the cap's lid. If a cap is going on as part of a project with plans, we measure that point against every roof surface within ten feet horizontally. This includes a lower roof section, a dormer or a higher part of your own roof.

What we check before fitting a cap

The flue size and shape, so the cap fits the opening instead of resting loosely on the crown
The height of the screen's lowest opening above the roof surfaces within ten feet horizontally
The condition of the crown and top brick courses where the cap will be secured
Whether the screen mesh suits a spark arrester and is clear of the flue edge
Signs of nesting, debris or blockage that should be cleared before the flue is covered

When a cap is the right job, and when it isn't

A new cap fits when the chimney has no cap, or the existing one is missing, rusted through or blown loose, and the crown underneath is sound.
If you're unsure a cap is worth it for your chimney, our guide to do you need a chimney cap covers the common reasons homeowners add one.
A cracked or crumbling crown, or loose brick at the top of the stack, usually needs chimney masonry repair for homes in Sausalito before a cap can be secured properly.
If birds or other animals are already in the flue, they need to be removed first so the cap doesn't trap them inside.
If a cap can't put the arrester's lowest opening high enough, the chimney itself may need work. This can range from raising the masonry to a rebuild, and we'll explain the options during the estimate.

Booking cap installation in Sausalito

Get in touch to request an estimate, and let us know if the cap is part of a larger project with plans. You can read about how chimney cap installation works before the visit, or browse everything we do in Sausalito if you have other chimney, fireplace or dryer vent work in mind.

Sources (1)

The sources of the Sausalito facts on this page.

1City of Sausalito Building Division - Local Building Ordinances