Horizontal chasing of internal structural brick walls

[Licklieder]

I understand from Part A that when chasing walls, the chase can be no deeper that 1/3 the wall (or leaf) for vertical chases and 1/6 the wall (or leaf) for horizontal chases, which for a 102mm brick equates to 34mm for vertical runs and 17mm for horizontal runs.

There is also that catch all phrase "chases should not be so positioned as to impair the stability of the wall"

I have two questions -

1) in practical terms, what does the phrase "chases should not be so positioned as to impair the stability of the wall" actually mean?

2) Are there any limits (practical, best practice or otherwise ) to the length & height of the chase ?

 

[tony1851]

1) in practical terms, what does the phrase "chases should not be so positioned as to impair the stability of the wall" actually mean?

This is impossible to answer because it depends on your specific circumstance. If the wall is near its limit for any type of loading (such as carrying a heavy load, or perhaps an exposed wall subject to lateral loading due to wind), any chase can compromise its stability.

Horizontal chases are usually more of a problem than vertical ones. If it is that much of a concern, perhaps phone an SE for an informal opinion?