How do I separate a double brood with chimneying brood comb?

[Swarm]

Same as Anduril, where right angles allowed better access through the slotted excluders but with a frame it creates a bee space above the top bars so perhaps less of an issue. But as you already stated, this extra bee space, plus the bee space built into the bottom of BBS boxes creates double that space.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I have the wires in line with the frames, should the QX be crossways on the frames?

it makes no difference, especially with wire QX's although most tend to put them at right angles to the frames