Gas Fireplace Mantel Clearance Code

Your firebox wall needs to be 8 inches thick when lined with fire bricks or 10 inches thick without fire bricks.

Gas fireplace mantel clearance code.

When installing a mantel shelf don t forget to account for any brackets or corbels when measuring for the appropriate clearance. The code references are strictly for masonry fireplaces constructed to that code and do not apply to freestyle creations of architects and adventurous pyromaniacs. All combustible mantel surrounds and shelves must be kept at least 12 inches from the opening of your fireplace top and sides. The following is a reprint from the standard building code.

Combustible materials and trim must be at least 6 inches from the firebox opening. If your mantel extends more than an inch and a half out from the fireplace opening you should have more than a 6 inch clearance. National standard building code masonry built fireplaces. Add an inch to the distance for every inch that the.

Most codes specify mantel distance from the firebox itself. Also vent free gas fireplaces will have a much greater clearance. National standard building code information 2114 3 masonry built fireplaces 4114 3 10 all combustible mantels and similar trim shall be kept at least 6 inches from the fireplace opening. As a general rule a mantel is placed about 12 inches above the fireplace opening.

2114 3 masonry fireplaces 2114 36 fireplace hearth extensions shall be of approved noncombustible materials for all fireplaces. Wood beams joists studs and other combustible material shall have a clearance of not less than 2 inches 51 mm from the front faces and sides of masonry fireplaces and not less than 4 inches 102 mm from the back faces of masonry fireplaces. The airspace shall not be filled except to provide fireblocking in accordance with section r1001 12. Also any part of the mantel that sticks out more than 1 5 inches from the wall s face over the opening needs to be at least 12 inches from the top of the fireplace opening.

B vented gas fireplaces usually have mantel requirements that will exceed this clearance. National standard building code. Fireplace mantels building codes. All the fireplace mantels on this website are non combustible and therefore require zero clearance.

The airspace shall not be filled except to provide fireblocking in accordance with section r1001 12. Mantel brackets and corbels at the sides of the firebox opening require extra clearance if they project more than 1 5 inches outwards from the face of the fireplace. Note some fireplaces esp. In the absence of local codes we suggest your installation clearances meet or exceed the national standard building codes or the national fire code.