Floor Protection

Vermont Castings Defiant

NOTE: Do not vent your Defiant into a factory-built (zero-clearance) fireplace. These appliances and their chimneys are specifically designed as a unit for use as fireplaces. It may void the listing or be hazardous to adapt them for any other use.

DO NOT CONNECT A DEFIANT TO ANY AIR DISTRIBUTION DUCT OR SYSTEM.

A tremendous amount of heat radiates from the bottom plate of your Defiant. 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 escape the firebox.

Heat protection is provided through the use of a Vermont Castings Bottom Heat Shield #1905. Spark and ember protection must be provided by a floor protector constructed with noncombustible materials 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.

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

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

In U.S. installations, the floor protector is required under the stove and must extend at least 16 inches (not including the ash lip) from the front of the stove ('F', Fig. 10), and at least 6 inches from the sides and rear ('D' and 'E', Fig. 10).

It must also extend under the chimney connector and 2 inches to either side ('C', Fig. 10). For the 8" (200 mm) connector, the protector must be a minimum of 12" (300 mm) wide. For the 6" (150 mm) connector, the protector must be 10" (250 mm) wide. The protec- tor must be centered under the connector.

To meet these requirements, a floor protector must be at least 42" wide and 43" deep.

In Canada, a noncombustible floor protector is required under the heater also. The floor protector must extend 18 inches (460 mm) to the front ('F', Fig. 10), and 8 inches (203 mm) from the sides and rear ('D' and 'E', Fig. 10).

To meet these requirements, a floor protector must be at least 46" (1168 mm) wide and 47" (1194 mm) deep.

	A
	D
B		E
E		E
	F
		C
U.S.	Canada	ST495/496
A. 42”	46” (1168mm)
B. 43”	47” (1194mm)
C. 12”	12” (300mm)	8” Connector
10”	10” (250mm)	6” Connector
D. 6”	8” (203mm)
E. 6”	8” (203mm)
F. 16”	18” (460mm)
Fig. 10	Required floor protector dimensions.

Floor Protection for Fireplace Installation

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. Be cause heat passes readily through 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 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 form the front of the heater. 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: 16” (410mm) in the United States and 18” (460mm) in Canada. Hearth rugs do not satisfy the requirement for floor protection as they are not fire proof.

Fireplace installation 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.