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The hearth should be able to accommodate the weight of the stove and its chimney if the chimney is not independently
supported. Somerton 2 models are tested and suitable to be installed on a 12 mm non-combustible plate such as a 12 mm
glass or 20mm slate plate . Installation of all hearths should comply in size and construction so that it is in accordance with
the provisions of the current Building Regulations Approved Document J.
The clearance distances to combustible material beneath, surrounding or on the hearth and walls adjacent to the hearth
should comply with the guidance on the separation of combustible material given in Building Regulations Approved Document
J and also in these stove instructions.
If the stove is to be installed on a wooden floor, it must be covered with a non-combustible material at least 12 mm thick,
in accordance with Building Regulations Approved Document J, to a distance of 30 cm in front of the stove and 15 cm to
each side measuring from the door of the combustion chamber.
Mendip Stoves combustion chambers are vermiculite lined , vermiculite panels are designed to ensure the maximum efficiency
and are an integral part of the clean burn process of the stove. The vermiculite should not be removed other than for cleaning
the stove. Any defective broken panels should be replaced, however small hairline cracks do not need replacement until the
brick panel has broken.
To avoid potential accidental damage to bricks, place wood fuel into the chamber wearing a glove when refuelling , impact
from logs can cause vermiculite panels to crack prematurely
.
Connection to chimney
Mendip Stoves are built with a top flue outlet as standard, this can be altered to a rear connection by removing the top collar,
rear cover plate then exchanging collar and plate. Care should be taken to ensure an airtight fit when refitting collar and plate.
A decorative cover plate is included in each stove to cover the hole in the convection top plate. This collar allows connection
to either a masonry chimney or a prefabricated factory made insulated metal chimney.
Hearth
Combustion chambers
Commissioning and handover
Ensure loose parts ( brick and grates) are fitted in accordance with the instructions given in the instruction booklet. On
completion of the installation allow a suitable period of time for any fire cement and mortar to dry out, a small fire may be
lit to check that smoke and fumes are taken from the stove up the chimney and emitted safely into the atmosphere. Do not
run at full output for at least 24 hours.
On completion of the installation and commissioning ensure that the operating instructions for the stove are left with the
customer. Ensure to advise the customer on the correct use of the appliance with the fuels likely to be used in the stove and
notify them to use only the recommended fuels for the stove. Advise the user what to do should smoke or fumes be emitted
from the stove.
The customer should be warned to use a fireguard to BS 8423:2002 in the presence of children, aged and/or infirm
persons.
Combustion air
In order for the stove to perform efficiently and safely there should be an adequate air supply into the room in which the
stove is installed to provide combustion air. This is particularly necessary if the room is double-glazed or a flue draught
stabiliser is fitted to the appliance. The provision of air supply to the stove must be in accordance with current Building
Regulations Approved Document J. An opening window is not appropriate for this purpose. Air inlets must be positioned in
such a way that they cannot be blocked. An air inlet may be a vent (the vent must be open and the capacity for the vent
sufficient when the stove is lit) .
There are no European rules regarding the minimum distance to non-flammable walls, Mendip Stoves recommend leaving a
gap of at least 100mm behind and to sides of stove.
Somerton models take all combustion air from a single 80mm port under the stove, with the door closed
the air port supplies all combustion air for the appliance. This can be connected to the outside via a 80mm pipe so the
appliance does not draw air from the room. However Mendip stoves still recommends the use of an air vent as laid out in
document j for when the stove is being reloaded.