9

Clearances

The Importance of Clearances

Warningtothe structural engineer and/or building contractor:
Itis your responsibility to be certain that the Grand Meridian
Fireplacecanbe properlysupportedby thecombustibleoor
systemon which the replace will rest. Be advised that this
engineeringequation will be in addition to any live or dead
weightsthattheoorhastocarry.

Clearances to Combustibles

Nothing is more important than paying strict attention to
givingclearance between replace surfaces and surrounding
“combustibles”themostcommonofwhichare:
Drywall•
Woodooring•
Plywoodsub-ooring•
Framingmaterials•
Particleboard•
Millboard•
Plywoodpaneling•
Required Clearances are:
Unitfront,sides,rear:..........................................0"
CombustibleFloor:.............................................0"
CombustibleSheathingaboveopeningtop:.......8"(200mm)
Sheathingortrimtoopeningsides:....................8"(200mm)
Mantleaboveopening:.......................................12"(300mm)
Openingtosidewall:...........................................24"(500mm)
Insulationfromrebox:.......................................0"
TheGrandMeridian Vent-Free replace may be installed
at“zero clearance” to plywood sheathing and to uninsulated
woodframingmembersattheunit bottom,sides,rearandtop
whenusedfor enclosinganylistedvent-free gas-redlogset
withmaximumheatinputratingsupto40,000Btu/hr.However,
whenaVent-Freereplaceistobeinstalledoncarpeting,wood
ooring,oranycombustiblematerialotherthantileorconcrete,
theVent-Free replace shall then be installed on a metal or
woodplatformextending thefullwidthand depthoftheVent-
Freereplace.

Clearance to Combustible Trim:

GrandMeridian Vent-FreeFireplaces are designed to be
customnished with facing trim and mantle to be an owner
option.However, all such trim material must meet standard
replacecoderequirements.
Non-combustible facing material must be applied to a
minimumofeightinches (8”)beyondthesides ofthenished
openingoftheVent-Freereplaceandnon-combustiblefacing
materialmustcover a minimum of twelve inches (12”) above
thenishedopeningoftheinstalledunit.
Figure 11
1-1/2”
8” MIN
NON-
COMBUSTIBLE
FACIA
Figure 12
1-1/2”
12” MIN
NON-COMBUSTIBLE
FACIA
 Clearancetocombustibletrimarethosedistancesrequired
toensurethatcombustible mantleandfacingmaterial willnot
beexposedtoexcessiveheatwhiletheunitisoperating.
These clearances should be adequate to prevent
discolorationorwarpingof trimfacingsdueto heat.However,
circumstancesuniquetoeachinstallationcreatevariables that
maybe beyond the scope of this manual.Therefore be sure
tofollowgas logappliancemanufacturer ’sexplicitinstallation
instructionsregarding all minimum trim facing, mantle height
andsidewallclearancerequirements.
Figure 13
Partsof the combustible mantle assembly located above
and projecting more than one and one-half inches (1-1/2”)
inchesfrom the rebox opening shall be kept at least twelve
inches(12”)fromthetopoftheopening.
 Mantleshelveswithhorizontalprojectionofteninches(10”)
fromthefaceofthereplacemustbeheldtoaminimumvertical
distanceof twenty inches (20”) from the top of the nished
replaceopening.
Note: Mantle height clearances may vary among gas log
appliancemanufacturersorwiththeuseofreboxcanopies.
Besure to follow the gas log appliance manufacturer ’s
explicit installation instructions for mantle height clearance
requirements.