In designing a fireplace surround, what is the recommended distance from the firebox? This is a woodburning fireplace. Thanks for your help.
PaulS
In designing a fireplace surround, what is the recommended distance from the firebox? This is a woodburning fireplace. Thanks for your help.
PaulS
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Replies
Hello Paul,
'Recommended' is a wide open word. It is best for you if you check with your local codes enforcement agency for their local interpretation but I've got some experience in uncoded areas also, so this is from my limited experience.
The required non-combustible hearth on floor in front of the openning needs to be 12" to each side and 18" to the front
If you have a metal fire box and wood surrond, the installation intructions come with it and sometimes are etched on the top r back of the box. Follow them. If lost, you can contact the manufacturer.
If this is a true masonry unit, I believe that the code requirement is for non-combustable face from openning edge to wood is 8" on sides and 12" above.
Since I am in an uncoded area and do restorations on many very old homes, I see most of these faces to be only 4" to 6" before the first edge of wood.
To some degree, this is influenced by the angle that radiant heat travels as it leaves the firebox. A shallow Rumsford should, IMO. have the wood surrond at least 12" back from edge of openning, while a deeper firebox with little side angle has a smaller arc of side radiant and is perfectly safe with a side approach of only 4" fgace brick or tile.
Likewise, an inexpensive faux surrond without much projection from the wall doesn't need as much space above the openning as a real wood mantle which can trp heat in under it. These should have 18" min. verticle from openning to bottom of projecting mantle.
I've got few photos if you would like them for reference. Describe your situation.
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