Vermont Casting 2160 manual Floor Protection for Fireplace

completely noncombustible surface such as unpainted concrete over earth may 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 decorative noncombustible 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 and left (loading door) side of the stove, and at least 6” from the right side and rear. (Fig. 12) It must also extend under the chimney connector and 2” to either side. Refer to Figure 12 for minimum noncom- bustible floor protection dimensions.

To meet these requirements, a floor protector must be at least 48” wide and 42” deep.

In Canada: a noncombustible floor protector is re- quired under the heater also. The floor protector must extend 18” (457mm) from the front and left (loading door) side of the stove, and at least 6” (150mm) from the right side and rear. (Fig. 12) It must also extend under the chimney connector and 2” to either side. Refer to Figure 12 for minimum noncombustible floor protection dimensions.

In addition, a pad measuring 18” (457mm) wide by 24” (610mm) long consisting of 1/2” (13mm) thick rigid insulation board with a K value of .23 or less (such as Carborundum Duraboard LD or Manville Ceraform

126)is also required; it must be centered and must extend 16” (406mm) in front of and 8” (203mm) under the unit. The floor protector may be covered with a noncombustible decorative material if desired. Do not obstruct the space under the heater.

To meet these requirements, a floor protector must be 50” (1270mm) wide and 44” (1118mm) deep.

Due to the side loading door, floor protector require- ments call for more protection on the left side than on the right. If you wish a more balanced look, increase the other side of the hearth as well. Do not reduce

side protection under any circumstances.

NOTE: In both the United States and Canada, no bottom heat shield is required when the optional pedestal base is used in place of the standard legs.

Dutchwest Sequoia

					C	C
	E
				B
D			E	D		E
		D			D
		A			A
		U.S.		Canada
	A.	48”		50”	(1270mm)
	B.	42”		44”	(1118mm)
	C.	2”		2”	(51mm)
	D.	16”		18”	(457mm)
	E.	6”		6”	(152mm)	ST729
Fig. 12	Required floor protection dimensions.

Floor Protection for Fireplace

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 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. (Fig. 13)

Wood Framing ST730

Fig. 13 Combustible supporting timbers may lie beneath fireplace hearths; such situations require additional floor protection.

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. 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” (406mm) in the United States and 18” (457mm) in Canada.

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