To meet these requirements, a floor protector must be at least 54” (1372mm) wide (“A”,Fig. 12) and 52” (1320mm) deep (“B”, 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 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 protec- tor requirement from the front of the stove: 18" (460
mm)from the front in the United States and 18" (460
mm)from the front in Canada.
Hearth rugs do not satisfy the requirements for floor protection as they are only
Floor Protection Requirements |
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|
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| Rear Vent |
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| F |
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Top Vent |
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|
| |
C |
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| C |
|
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| B |
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E | C |
| E | C |
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D |
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| D |
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A |
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| A |
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| U. S. | Canada |
| |
A: | 48” | 54” | (1372mm) |
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B: | 48” | 52” | (1321mm) |
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C: | 4” | 8” | (203mm) |
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D: | 18” | 18” | (460mm) |
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E: | 16” | 18” | (460mm) |
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F: | 10” | 10” | (254mm) | ST500a |
Fig. 12 These dimensions are minimum requirements only. Use greater dimensions whenever possible.
Vermont Castings Madison
Wood framing |
|
requires protection | ST247a |
from radiant heat |
Fig. 13 Supporting timbers under fireplace hearths are considered to be combustible.
Clearance to Surrounding
Combustible Materials
When the stove is operating, both the stoveplate and the chimney connector radiate heat in all directions. A safe installation requires that adequate clearance be maintained between the stove and nearby combustible materials to ensure that those materials do not overheat.
Clearance is the distance between either your stove or chimney connector, and nearby walls, floors, the ceiling, and any other fixed combustible surface.
Keep furnishings and other combustible materials away from the stove as well. In general, a distance of 48" (1220 mm) must be maintained between the stove and moveable combustible items such as drying clothes, furniture, newspapers, firewood, etc. Keep this area empty of any combustible material.
Safe Ways To Reduce Clearances
The Madison clearance requirements, listed and diagramed on pages
•When neither the chimney connector nor the wall has a heat shield installed.
•When only the chimney connector has a heat shield installed.
•When only the wall has a heat shield mounted on it.
•When a heat shield is installed on both the chimney connector and wall.
In general, the greatest clearance is required when the stove will be positioned with no heat shield near a wall with no heat shield. The least clearance is re- quired when both the stove and the wall have heat shields. Reducing a stove clearance may require installation of a listed heat shield on the chimney connector as well.
Clearances may be reduced only by means approved by the regulatory authority, or in accordance with the clearances listed in this manual.
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