Vermont Casting 1920 Floor Protection, Fireplace Hearth Protection, Canada

Floor Protection

A tremendous amount of heat radiates from the bottom plate of your Aspen. The floor area directly under and around the stove will require protection from radiant heat as well as from stray sparks or embers that may

Aspen Woodburning Stove

Floor Protection Requirements

C

escape the firebox.

Heat protection is provided through the use of a Bot- tom Heat Shield #1895. Spark and ember protection must be provided by a floor protector constructed with noncombustible material as specified.

Most installations will require that the bottom heat shield be attached. Only when the stove is placed on a completely noncombustible surface such as unpainted concrete over earth may it be used without the heat shield.

	A
A	A
	B
	E

D A

A

A

B

E

Even when the bottom heat shield is installed, you must provide special protection to the floor beneath. For installations with the heat shield attached, use a non- combustible floor protector such as 1/4” nonasbestos mineral board or equivalent, or 24 gauge sheet metal. The floor protector may be covered with a noncombus- tible decorative material if desired. Do not obstruct the space under the heater.

Protection requirements vary somewhat between the United States and Canada as follows:

U.S. Installations: The floor protector is required under the stove and must extend at least 16” from the front of the stove (B, Fig. 14), and at least 6” from the sides and rear (A, Fig. 14). It must also extend under the chimney connector and 2” to either side. (C, Fig. 14)

In Canada: A noncombustible floor protector is required under the heater. The floor protector must extend 18” (457 mm) to the front (B, Fig. 14) and 8” (203 mm) from the sides and rear. (A, Fig. 14)

Fireplace Hearth Protection

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. Because heat is readily conducted by brick or concrete, it can easily pass through to the wood. As a result, such fireplace hearths can be a fire hazard and are considered a com- bustible 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

U. S.		Canada
A:	6”	8“	(203 mm)
B:	16”	18”	(457 mm)
C:	10”	10”	(254 mm)
D:	44”	48”	(1219 mm)	ST246
E:	27”	31”	(787 mm)

Fig. 14 These dimensions are minimum requirements only. Use greater dimensions whenever possible.

Wood framing requires protection from radiant heat

ST247

Fig. 15 Supporting timbers under fireplace hearths are considered to be combustible.

requirement from the front of the stove: 16” (406 mm) from the front in the United States and 18” (457 mm) from the front in Canada.

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

Fireplace installations also have special clearance requirements to the side walls, side decorative trim and fireplace mantel. Refer to the information on fireplace and mantel trim shields in this section.

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