Replies

1. 
   experienced | Dec 06, 2005 11:08pm | #1

   Are you talking about the front extension of th hearth from the firebox opening/edge?  I'm not in NY but in most installations its 16".

1. 
   Aberwacky | Dec 06, 2005 11:12pm | #2

   Just curious--is that a minimum or a maximum?

   Leigh 

   I am a domestic goddess!  I deserve three ovens (and two dishwashers)! I am a domestic goddess!  I deserve three ovens (and two dishwashers)! I am a domestic goddess!  I deserve three ovens (and two dishwashers). . .

1. 
   experienced | Dec 07, 2005 04:38am | #4

   Usually the minimum.

2. 
   donk123 | Dec 06, 2005 11:15pm | #3

   Richie - Try calling the local fire department. There's usually an inspector that can tell you local codes without a hassle. The other alternantive is to check with the local building dept.

   Don K.

   EJG Homes     Renovations - New Construction - Rentals

3. 
   Piffin | Dec 07, 2005 06:59am | #5

   I don't know NY but I figure 18" from front of openning to edge of hearth and 12" to either side from side of openning.

    

    

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1. 
   experienced | Dec 07, 2005 07:45am | #6

   I was just going by Canadian code requirements of "not less than 400 mm (16") in front of the fireplace opening and not less than 200 mm (8") beyond each side of the fireplace opening".

   I have taught in the wood heating industry up here. (open fireplaces not considered "wood  heaters" but a heat loser in this field)  Anytime I have seen clearances/dimensions in the US, they have been less than Canadian for the same purpose. But that's not to say that NY is not more stringent than anyplace else; they may be. I posted some stuff from NY on outdoor boilers  a while back and it seems they were going after those puppies worse than any other jurisdiction!!!

   The best case for generally lesser US requirements sits 8-9' from me- my Vermont Castings Resolute stove. It was certified for the US only and shipped to a friend's  "Energy Alternatives" store in 1983. He had uncrated it before he realized the mistake so instead of re-crating and sending it back, he offered it to me at his cost. Bonus!!!! Been using it for 22 years now with one interior fire liner re-build. Checked the US clearance to combustibles for this stove and they were less than Canada's. Checked with insurance co. and they said since it was a well known high end brand, install it to the Canadian clearances for the same unit and they would accept it.

1. 
   Piffin | Dec 08, 2005 04:44am | #7

   '79 through '81 I had a specialty retail shop along with my construction business. I sold and installed several hundred wood stoves. I agree taht the Vermont Castings units are best of breed. Unfortunately, they have been bought by majestic - which I think happens to be Canadian - and that company is suffering bankruptcy, I've heard.Anyway, I suprised to hear your claim that you thought USA standards on this are less than Canada, because they have always required the 12" to either side of the firebox openning. Some places OK 16" and some require 18" in front. I have never seen a place that allows 8" to the side for the hearth. 8" is fine for the facade/surrond though. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   experienced | Dec 08, 2005 06:46am | #8

   From the "Brick Industry" website:

    

   Model building codes also require that the hearth extend a minimum of 8 in. (200 mm) on each side of the fireplace opening and 16 in. (400 mm) in front of the fireplace opening. If the fireplace opening is greater than 6 ft2(0.55 m2), building codes require hearth extensions of 12 in. (300 mm) on either side of the opening and 20 in. (500 mm) in front of the fireplace opening.

2. 
   experienced | Dec 08, 2005 07:02am | #9

   Yeah Majestic is/was in rough times. They essentially had to take a large stockholder (Ontario Teachers' Pension Fund) as a controlling partner to survive.

    

   Question: What is the "minimum clearance to combustibles" for an uncertified wood heating appliance in your neck of the woods?

1. 
   Piffin | Dec 09, 2005 02:04am | #11

   from the stove itself 36"
   From the pipe, 18" 

    

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2. 
   experienced | Dec 09, 2005 05:00am | #13

   The uncertified clearance used to be 36" here until the mid-late 80's when the engineers went back to the lab to test some of the new higher efficiency radiant stoves, They quickly changed it to 48". The single wall flue is still 18".

   In the US, for masonry fireplaces, interesting to see 2 sets of dimensions based on firebox opening size. Here one set fits all.

   While checking for dimensions, saw the US floor pad extension requirements for free standing wood stove- 18" at loading door, 12" at sides and 8" at rear (I believe......from 10 hour old memory now). In Canada, they are: loading door- 18" and 8 inches on the 3 other sides.

   So I guess the first few dimensions I saw from the US were less than ours and I generalized.

    

   Edited 12/8/2005 10:45 pm ET by experienced

3. 
   Piffin | Dec 09, 2005 07:02am | #14

   i'm guilty of that sometimes myself 

    

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3. 
   JohnSr | Dec 08, 2005 02:31pm | #10

   Table R1003.1 in the IRC requires hearth extension (each side) of 8" for fireplace openings of 6 sq. ft. or less and 12" for openings of > 6sq. ft.

   Table R1003.1 also requires a hearth extension (front side) of 16" for fireplace openings of 6 sq. ft. or less and 20" for > 6 sq ft

1. 
   Piffin | Dec 09, 2005 02:08am | #12

   'course the IRC wasn't even a glint in the inspectors eye when I learned my trade. Given the number of brun marks I've seen on wood floors I doubt I will ever be convinced it is safe to go only 8" to the side. I don't have a copy of any older codes left. 

    

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2. 
   JohnSr | Dec 09, 2005 02:53pm | #15

   Totally agree - built my first house in 1974.  I'm now in the inspection business

   Codes are minimums - good builders do not build to minimums