Gas Fireplace Mantel Clearance Code

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.

Gas fireplace mantel clearance code. In the absence of local codes we suggest your installation clearances meet or exceed the national standard building codes or the national fire code. Add an inch to the distance for every inch that the. Combustible materials and trim must be at least 6 inches from the firebox opening. The airspace shall not be filled except to provide fireblocking in accordance with section r1001 12.

The code references are strictly for masonry fireplaces constructed to that code and do not apply to freestyle creations of architects and adventurous pyromaniacs. 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. National standard building code masonry built fireplaces. As a general rule a mantel is placed about 12 inches above the fireplace opening.

Your firebox wall needs to be 8 inches thick when lined with fire bricks or 10 inches thick without fire bricks. 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. All the fireplace mantels on this website are non combustible and therefore require zero clearance. The following is a reprint from the standard building code.

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. Mantel corbels and brackets attached along the sides of the opening must have additional clearance if they project more than 1 1 2 inches out from the face of the fireplace. 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. The airspace shall not be filled except to provide fireblocking in accordance with section r1001 12.

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. B vented gas fireplaces usually have mantel requirements that will exceed this clearance. When installing a mantel shelf don t forget to account for any brackets or corbels when measuring for the appropriate clearance.

National standard building code. All combustible mantel surrounds and shelves must be kept at least 12 inches from the opening of your fireplace top and sides. Fireplace mantels building codes. Note some fireplaces esp.