Vermont Casting 1920 - Manual (Page 9)

9
Aspen Woodburning Stove
30000369
Floor Protection
A tremendous amount of heat radiates from the bottom
plate of your Aspen. The floor area directly under and
around the stove will require protection from radiant
heat as well as from stray sparks or embers that may
escape the firebox.
Heat protection is provided through the use of a Bot-
tom Heat Shield #1895. Spark and ember protection
must be provided by a floor protector constructed with
noncombustible material as specified.
Most installations will require that the bottom heat
shield be attached. Only when the stove is placed on a
completely noncombustible surface such as unpainted
concrete over earth may it be used without the heat
shield.
Even when the bottom heat shield is installed, you must
provide special protection to the floor beneath. For
installations with the heat shield attached, use a non-
combustible floor protector such as 1/4” nonasbestos
mineral board or equivalent, or 24 gauge sheet metal.
The floor protector may be covered with a noncombus-
tible decorative material if desired. Do not obstruct the
space under the heater.
Protection requirements vary somewhat between the
United States and Canada as follows:
U.S. Installations: The floor protector is required under
the stove and must extend at least 16” from the front of
the stove (B, Fig. 14), and at least 6” from the sides and
rear (A, Fig. 14). It must also extend under the chimney
connector and 2” to either side. (C, Fig. 14)
In Canada: A noncombustible floor protector is required
under the heater. The floor protector must extend 18”
(457 mm) to the front (B, Fig. 14) and 8” (203 mm) from
the sides and rear. (A, Fig. 14)
Fireplace Hearth Protection
Do not assume that your fireplace hearth is completely
noncombustible. Many fireplace hearths do not satisfy
the “completely noncombustible” requirement because
the brick or concrete in front of the fireplace opening
is supported by heavy wood framing. Because heat
is readily conducted by brick or concrete, it can easily
pass through to the wood. As a result, such fireplace
hearths can be a fire hazard and are considered a com-
bustible floor.
For all fireplace installations, follow the floor protection
guidelines described above.
Keep in mind that many raised hearths will extend
less than the required clearance from the front of the
heater when it is installed. In such cases, sufficient
floor protection as described above must be added in
front of the hearth to satisfy the minimum floor protector
C
A
B
A
A
A
A
B
A
E E
D
ST246
floor protection
12/99
Fig. 14 These dimensions are minimum requirements only.
Use greater dimensions whenever possible.
Floor Protection Requirements
A: 6” 8“ (203 mm)
B: 16” 18” (457 mm)
C: 10” 10” (254 mm)
D: 44” 48” (1219 mm)
E: 27” 31” (787 mm)
U. S. Canada
ST246
ST247
Rear exit floor dgrm
12/14/99 djt
Fig. 15 Supporting timbers under fireplace hearths are
considered to be combustible.
Wood framing
requires protection
from radiant heat
ST247
requirement from the front of the stove: 16” (406 mm)
from the front in the United States and 18” (457 mm)
from the front in Canada.
Hearth rugs do not satisfy the requirements for floor
protection as they are only fire-retardant, not fire proof.
Fireplace installations also have special clearance
requirements to the side walls, side decorative trim and
fireplace mantel. Refer to the information on fireplace
and mantel trim shields in this section.