Installation and Instructions
12
Step 6: Optional Procedure for
Cold Climate Installations
The insulation and sealing of the enclosure around
the fireplace is very important in cold climates. If
the enclosure is insulated and sealed properly, you
can avoid future cold air problems. The time taken
to install the firebox correctly is well worthwhile.
The following steps are to stop potential cold air
problems. (Do not use Kraft Faced insulation -
paper faced)
Insulation of the Fireplace Enclosure
When in a chase or an outside wall, the fireplace
enclosure should be insulated like any other wall of
your home. Insulation should be installed on the
outside wall(s) and the wall about the fireplace.
(Do not use Kraft Faced insulation - paper faced.)
Insulate to Seal Under the Fireplace
Insulating under the fireplace is beneficial for
installations on a concrete slab in cold weather
climates. The fireplace should be placed on insulating
board. It is important that a hard, rigid surface be
maintained, so do not use fiberglass insulation for
this purpose.
WHEN INSTALLING A FIREPLACE
IN AN INSULATED ENCLOSURE, BE SURE TO
MAINTAIN ALL MARKED AIR SPACES. DO NOT
USE KRAFT (PAPER FACED) INSULATION .
Seal Seams
Sealing the seams of the fireplace is beneficial for
installations in cold weather climates where the outer
wall meets the bottom pan and the front face. Also
seal between the fireplace and finishing materials.
Use high temperature caulk. Refer to Figure 9 for
details of sealing spaces between the fireplace and
finishing materials.
Finishing the Fireplace
There are a wide variety of finishing materials
available for your fireplace from formal wall treatments
with marble and mantles to rustic wood paneling, stone
or brick.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE BLACK FACE OF
THE FIREPLACE NOT BE COVERED WITH ANY
TYPE OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL.
Noncombustible facing materials such as marble,
brick or ceramic tile may overlap the black face of the
fireplace up to the opening on either side of the
fireplace. Seal all joints between the black fireplace
face and the wall covering with a heat-resistant
material such as rock wool insulation or mortar. Be
sure to use high temperature adhesive or mortar when
anchoring brick, stone or tile to the face of the
fireplace. Check to see whether man-made brick and
stone are made of noncombustible materials before
using them on the face of the fireplace. Some of these
products contain combustible materials. Combustible
wall coverings such as paneling or wallboard may not
overlap the black face of the fireplace. The space
between the wall covering and the fireplace should be
sealed with a heat-resistant material such as rock wool
insulation or mortar.
NOTE: An “L” shaped steel lintel must be installed
across the top of the firebox opening where facing
materials such as brick or stone are used on the face
of the firebox. It acts as a support/firestop. It should be
attached to the face of the fireplace with screws and
sealed to the fireplace with a heat-resistant sealer.
These vent free fireplaces are not to be
used with any TYPE or MODEL of glass doors.
Fireplace screens must be in the closed
position across the entire hearth opening prior to
the operation of the decorative room heater.
NOTE: Information on provisions for adequate
combustion and ventilation air are located in the
unvented room heaters installation instructions.
Stand
Off
Caulking or Sealant
Noncombustible
Insulation
Finishing Material
Top View
Side View
Caulking or Sealant
Noncombustible Material
Finishing Material
Insulation
Stud
Fig. 9