Gas Fireplace Surround Code Requirements

The fireplace throat or damper shall be located a minimum of 8 inches 203 mm above the lintel.

Gas fireplace surround code requirements.

If decorative surround materials are combustible all elements of the surround must be a distance of at least 6 inches from. The two national codes for fireplace surrounds have slightly different safety requirements. For example the valor horizon direct vent gas fireplace heater manual l pdf given above on this page specifies a minimum of 72 to a mechanical air inlet but that s assuming a single direct vent heater outlet. Each 1 8 inch that trim or another combustible material protrudes requires an extra inch of clearance.

Fireplaces create a fantastic ambiance. National standard building code. Examples of national fire codes for surrounds. All combustible material must be at least 6 inches from the opening of the firebox.

How rules of fireplace surrounds affect design plans. The mantel can be made of a combustible material like wood. Combustible material includes all wood trim framing mantels and anything else that can ignite and burn. The minimum required bearing length on each end of the fireplace opening shall be 4 inches 102 mm.

As such they are not regulated by the same safety codes as wood burning fireplaces and each model has its own requirements. Essentially side walls should be brick or stone and a minimum 200mm thick whilst the rear wall should be 200mm thick or 100mm if back to back fireplaces in the same building or if the rear wall is a cavity wall. These regulations were designed for open fires and never updated to take into account modern free standing stoves. Combustible mantel clearances from top of unit are shown in the diagram below.

I have never found a builder s opening that does not conform and. However if you do install such a mantel it must be at least six inches away from the fireplace s opening. Mantel starts at 1 deep and ends at 12 deep. Because of the extreme heat this fireplace emits the mantel clearances are critical.

For vignette with vignette finishing trim flush finish all materials framing finishing. National standard building code information 2114 3 masonry built fireplaces 4114 3 10 all combustible mantels and similar trim shall be kept at least 6 inches from the fireplace opening. Hearth floor minimum 20 forward of firebox and 8 minimum out from sides of firebox.