Planning information, Shr series woodburning fireplaces, The ten foot rule – Vermont Casting SHR36 User Manual
Page 7: Mounting the fireplace, Planning the chimney run

7
SHR Series Woodburning Fireplaces
20001384
Planning Information
The Ten Foot Rule
Major U.S. building codes specify a minimum chimney 
height above the roof top. The “Ten Foot Rule” is a fire 
safety rule and not a draft rule. To ensure proper draft, 
it is recommended that you always meet or exceed the 
“Ten Foot Rule,” especially when installing a termination 
on a high pitch roof. (Fig. 8)
The key points of the "Ten Foot Rule" are:
1. If the horizontal distance from the chimney to the 
peak of the roof is 10' (3m) or less, the top of the 
chimney must be at least 2' (610mm) above the peak 
of the roof, but never less than 3' (914mm) in height 
above the highest point where it passes through the 
roof.
2. If a horizontal distance from the chimney to the peak
of the roof is more than 10' (3m), a chimney height 
reference point is established that is on the surface 
of the roof a distance of 10' (3m) from the chimney in 
a horizontal plane. The top of the chimney must be 
at least 2' (610mm) above the reference point, but 
never less than 3' (914mm) in height above the high-
est point where it passes through the roof.
In planning a chimney system, it is important to know:
1. The height of a chimney is measured from the hearth 
to the exit point on the termination.
2. A chimney cannot be offset more than 30 degrees
from a vertical plane.
3. A chimney may run straight up or it may be neces-
sary to offset it to avoid obstructions.
4. The maximum length of an angled run (total chimney
system) is 20 feet.
5. No more than 2 offsets (4 total 30˚ elbows in) per
fireplace may be used.
6. A guy wire stabilizer is required for chimneys extend-
ing more than 6 feet above a roof line.
Preplanning an installation is very important to ensure 
safety and to save time and money. An installer must 
predetermine where a fireplace will be set and how the 
chimney system will be run.
Mounting the Fireplace
A fireplace may only be mounted on the following sur-
faces:
1. A flat combustible surface.
2. A raised wooden platform.
3. A concrete block or other solid object placed beneath 
each of the four (4) corners of the fireplace.
The fireplace must be spaced 3/4 inch from a combus-
tible back wall and 3/4 inch from a combustible side 
wall or support. (Fig. 20, Page 14)
Planning the Chimney Run
Determine how the chimney will be run, length of run 
and chimney components required to complete the 
job. (Fig. 6) Never install a chimney below minimum 
heights.
Fig. 7 Installed lengths of chimney sections.
FP288b
L1
L1
LT
11CF
Chimney
Model No.
Total
Length
(LT)
Installed
Length
(L1)
11CF1
11CF18
11CF3
11CF4
�����
"
�����
"
�����
"
�����
"
�����
"
�����
"
�����
"
�����
"
FP288B
11CF
SHR SERIES
5/11/99 djt
AC246
Fig. 8 Ten Foot Rule illustration.
2' Min.
2' Min.
3'
Min.
0 To 10'
3'
Min.
0 To 10'
AC246
4/1/96
Reference
Point
