Chase behind the ladder with framing for a new chase to cover the new sewer pipe near the ceiling.

The Dictionary of Construction defines an architectural chase as "a continuous enclosure in a structure that acts as a housing for pipe, wiring conduits, ducts, etc. A chase is usually located in or adjacent to a column, which provides some physical protection."  The chase in this office is used to cover an iron support column, water pipes, sewer pipes, and electrical conduit between the second story and the ground floor. Since we bypassed 75 feet of sewer line from the top of the chase to the library where we installed a double clean out and installed a new sewer line to the south end of the building, we had the sewer pipes in the chase removed, and capped. To seal the porous brick wall exposed inside the chase, we had the chase filled with foam as an alternative to opening the chase from floor to ceiling and plastering the wall behind the pipes. The foam will make a much better seal than plaster would have, because it expands behind the pipes, conduit and support, and completely fills all the spaces between the bricks.

Pipes, wiring conduit, and an iron support column inside the chase.

Chase with sewer pipes removed exposing porous brick in the wall behind.

Construction workers spraying foam inside the chase.

Foam coming out of the top of the chase