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Question
I am constructing a hearth for a wood stove in an old house. I would like to put slate on the wall surrounding the stove so I do not have to keep it 30 inches away from the combustibles. My question is can I put hardibacker board directly on the wall and slate over that or do I need an air gap between the board and the existing wall?
Thanks for any assistance you can provide,
Craig
Hi Craig,
If the stove is unlisted, you must maintain 36" of clearance to the top, rear, front and sides. You can reduce this 50% by installing a 1/2" thick noncombustible insulation board over 1" glass fiber or mineral wool batts without a ventilated air space or you can reduce 33% to a 3 1/2" nominal thick masonry wall without an air space. Add an air space to the masonry or the 1/2" thick noncombustible insulation board over fiber or batts and you can reduce 66%. You can NEVER reduce to less than 12" unless the appliance is listed for that.
See NFPA 211 Table 12.6.2.1 Reduction of Appliance Clearances with Specified Forms of Protection.
Thanks for using AllExperts.Com and good luck with your project.
Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc.
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com
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Answers by Expert:
Bart Ogden
Expertise
I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.
Experience
Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas
Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee
Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps
Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate
Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems
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