Fireplace Hearth Protection

To meet these requirements, a ﬂoor protector must be at least 54” (1372mm) wide (“A”,Fig. 12) and 52” (1320mm) deep (“B”, Fig. 12).

Do not assume that your ﬁreplace hearth is completely noncombustible. Many ﬁreplace hearths do not satisfy the “completely noncombustible” requirement because the brick or concrete in front of the ﬁreplace opening is supported by heavy wood framing. (Fig. 13) Because heat is readily conducted by brick or concrete, it can easily pass through to the wood. As a result, such ﬁre- place hearths can be a ﬁre hazard and are considered a combustible ﬂoor.

For all ﬁreplace installations, follow the ﬂoor protection guidelines described above.

Keep in mind that many raised hearths will extend less than the required clearance from the front of the heater when it is installed. In such cases, sufﬁcient ﬂoor protection as described above must be added in front of the hearth to satisfy the minimum ﬂoor protector requirement from the front of the stove: 18” (460mm) from the front in the United States and 18” (460mm) from the front in Canada.

Hearth rugs do not satisfy the requirements for ﬂoor protection as they are only ﬁre-retardant, not ﬁre proof.

Floor Protection Requirements
			Rear Vent
			F
Top Vent
C			C
		B
E		C	E	C
D			D
A			A
	U. S.	Canada
A:	48”	54”	(1372 mm)
B:	48”	52”	(1321 mm)
C:	4”	8”	(203 mm)
D:	18”	18”	(457 mm)
E:	16”	18”	(457 mm)
F:	10”	10”	(254 mm)
				ST500a

Fig. 12 These dimensions are minimum requirements only. Use greater dimensions whenever possible.

Vermont Castings Madison

	Wood framing
	requires protection	ST247a
	from radiant heat	ST247a
	from radiant heat

Fig. 13 Supporting timbers under ﬁreplace hearths are considered to be combustible.

Clearance to Surrounding

Combustible Materials

When the stove is operating, both the stoveplate and the chimney connector radiate heat in all directions. A safe installation requires that adequate clearance be maintained between the stove and nearby combustible materials to ensure that those materials do not over- heat.

Clearance is the distance between either your stove or chimney connector, and nearby walls, ﬂoors, the ceiling, and any other ﬁxed combustible surface. Keep furnishings and other combustible materials away from the stove as well. In general, a distance of 48” (1219mm) must be maintained between the stove and moveable combustible items such as drying clothes, furniture, newspapers, ﬁrewood, etc. Keep this area empty of any combustible material.

Safe Ways to Reduce Clearances

The Madison clearance requirements, listed and diagramed on Pages 12-13, have been established through testing to UL and ULC standards to meet most installation conﬁgurations. These involve four basic variables:

•When neither the chimney connector nor the wall has a heat shield installed.

•When only the chimney connector has a heat shield installed.

•When only the wall has a heat shield mounted on it.

•When a heat shield is installed on both the chim- ney connector and wall.

In general, the greatest clearance is required when the stove will be positioned with no heat shield near a wall with no heat shield. The least clearance is required when both the stove and the wall have heat shields. Reducing a stove clearance may require installation of a listed heat shield on the chimney connector as well.

Clearances may be reduced only by means approved by the regulatory authority, or in accordance with the clearances listed in this manual.

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