3.2.1.1 ‘Hole-in-the-wall’ Installations
! It is recommended that a
hearth should be installed as in
section 3.9 (See figure 1).
! If a hearth is not fitted or a
reduced depth hearth is fitted,
the fire must be installed so that
the distance from the base of
the fireplace opening in the wall
to the finished floor level is at
least 100mm. Where there is no
floor covering or carpet and the
floor is of a type that is likely to
be covered in such a way in the
future then the distance from
the base of the fireplace
opening in the wall to the floor
level should be increased to at
least 175mm.
! To protect from the risk of
burns and ignition of clothing a
tactile separator shall be used. The hearth detailed in section 3.9 meets the requirements
for a tactile separator. If this is not used then a 672mm long fender, kerb, horizontal bar,
or other barrier, being fixed not less than 50mm above floor level and positioned
300mm in front of the fixing plane of the fire will meet the requirement.
3.2.2
To a fireplace incorporating a metal flue box complying with the constructional
requirements of the current edition of BS715. The dimensions of the flue box must
conform to those shown in figure 2.
3.2.3
To a precast concrete or clay flue block system conforming to BS1289 or BS EN
1806 with dimensions as in figure 3. The current versions of BS1289 and BS EN 1806
recommend that there should be an air space or insulation between the flue blocks and
the plaster because heat transfer may cause cracking on directly plastered flues.
However, generally this appliance is suitable for installations under all circumstances
unless there is a history of cracking problems.
Remember that faults such as cracking may be caused by poorly built and restrictive
flues, e.g. mortar extrusions, too many bends, flue heights below three metres,
restrictive terminations etc.
3.2.4 If the fireplace opening is greater than the acceptable dimensions given in this
guide, do not use the back of a fire surround or marble to reduce the opening. This may
cause cracking of the surround back or marble.
Page 9
INSTALLER GUIDE
© Baxi Heating U.K. Limited 2006.
Figure 2. Metal flue box dimensions