Vermont Castings Seville
Floor Protection
Atremendous amount of heat radiates from the bottom plate of your Madison. 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 #1889. 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.
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 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:
For 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. 12), and at least 6” from the sides and rear (“A”, Fig. 12).
To meet these requirements, a floor protector must be at least 36” wide (“C”,Fig. 12) and 50” deep (“D”,Fig. 12)
In Canada, a noncombustible floor protector is re- quired under the heater also. The floor protector must extend 18” (457mm) to the front (“B”, Fig. 12), and 8” (203mm) from the sides and rear (“A”, Fig. 12).
To meet these requirements, a floor protector must be at least 40” (1016mm) wide (“C”,Fig. 12) and 54” (1372mm) deep (“D”, Fig. 12).
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. (Fig. 13) 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 consid- ered a combustible floor.
For all fireplace installations, follow the floor protection guidelines described previously.
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: 16" (406mm) from the front in the United States and 18" (457mm) from the front in Canada.
Hearth rugs do not satisfy the requirements for floor protection as they are only
Floor Protection Requirements
| A |
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A | A | D |
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| B |
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| C |
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U. S. | Canada |
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A: 6" | 8" (203mm) |
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B: 16" | 18” (457mm) |
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C: 36” | 40” (1016mm) |
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D: 50” | 54” (1372mm) | ST482 |
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Fig. 12 These dimensions are minimum requirements only. Use greater dimensions whenever possible.
Wood framing requires protection from radiant heat
ST247
Fig. 13 Supporting timbers under fireplace hearths are considered to be combustible.
30001490 | 9 |
