If you are using a heat shield to reduce clearances in a project subject to building codes, the shield cannot reduce clearances from the appliance to the wall less than 12" with an air-cooled shield or less than 18" with an insulated shield unless the shield and stove are specifically tested and listed for that purpose ...
Unlisted stoves must be at least 36 inches away from combustibles. Ventilated or insulated wall protectors may decrease unlisted clearance from one-third to two thirds, according to NFPA 211.
Manufacturer's specifications for clearances should be followed. If none are available, standard clearances are thirty-six (36) inches from a stove to a combustible wall or ceiling. A wall of wooden studs covered with sheetrock is considered to be a combustible wall.
The good news is that most modern models of Wood Stoves are able to be put closer to walls than earlier models. While older stoves needed as much as 36”, newer stoves can be put as close as 6” to combustible walls with no additional protection needed.
In the US, there should be a 36" clearance between any point on the stove and any point on a combustible wall.
The National Fire Protection Asso- ciation (NFPA) has developed standards for clearances from walls and ceilings that are the basis for many local building codes (Table 1). All combustible materials, wood- work, unprotected walls, furniture, firewood, etc., should be no closer than 36 inches to a wood stove.
The industry's solution for heat shields
PermaBASE cement boards are the industry-preferred choice. Installation-ready and easy-to-use, PermaBASE® cement boards eliminate the need for field fabrication, saving time while allowing for enhanced performance and wood-burning stove placement closer to the wall.
By far the most effective heat shields are the air-cooled type. These shields are constructed with a sheet of 24 gauge or thicker sheet metal, or 1/2" or thicker cement board, with 1" of air space behind the shield and around the perimeter to allow free airflow.
Local building codes dictate the legal minimums for clearances to combustible materials like wood framing or panels. These mandated wood-burning stove air gaps are much more significant, usually 12 to 18 inches on the sides. Building codes don't regulate gaps for non-combustibles.
Without a backguard, a stove or range should typically be installed at least 6 inches away from a combustible back wall surface, like drywall. With a backguard, the range can usually be installed with zero wall clearance.
If no wall protection is used, the common radiant-type stove or heater must be spaced out at least 36 inches from the wall. This distance may be reduced considerably if asbestos millboard and/or 28 gage sheet metal is used for wall protection.
Air gaps are sometimes specified in stove instruction manuals but often are not. Sometimes they are “recommended”. Usually recommendations for distances to non-combustibles are between 5cm and 15cm.
The reduction is specified by NFPA and most codes. For example, when required clearance with no protection is 36 inches, a 3 1/2-inch-thick masonry wall with ventilated air space used as a wall protector, reduces clearance by maximum of 66 percent, to 12 inches from the combustible wall.
Clearance to Combustible Materials: A minimum clearance of 36 inches from the sides and rear of the wood stove to any combustible materials. A minimum clearance of 36 inches from the top of the stove to the ceiling or any combustible materials above it.
A minimum of 150mm (6”) is required above the stove (500mm if there is a wooden mantle/beam) and 100mm (4”) either side. However, the more space you have around the stove, the more effectively it will heat the room.
The following are general minimum clearances for ranges: 1 ½ inches to nearest adjacent sidewall above the cooktop on both sides. 30 inches between the cooktop and a cabinet. 0 inches for sides below the cooktop.
Any wood trim would need to be the required clearance distance away. A couple inches is recommended for air flow around the rear of the stove to prevent uneven heating of the stove. The front will cool faster as it radiates forward, staying hotter on the rear.
You have to use a UL-approved Stainless Steel Class "A" insulated chimney or a sound masonry chimney. Here are some of the ways you can install a chimney in your home. There are 2 basic ways to vent a wood-burning stove, (1) straight up and out the ceiling or (2) out the wall and along the side of the house.
Using PermaBASE Cement Board as a wall protector in between the stove and the combustible wall materials allows you to shrink that distance by 40% or down to 14". How to install the PermaBASE Cement Board wall heat shield behind a wood stove: Cut 4"-wide furring strips from a full PermaBASE panel.
Adequate Air Supply: Adjust the stove's air vents and consider slightly opening a window in the same room when starting the fire to introduce fresh air and help balance the pressure. Regular Chimney Maintenance: Ensure your chimney is clean and free from obstructions.
Ceramic or stone tile is an excellent choice for floor protection because of three characteristics: They are a very strong and durable material. They withstand the heat and weight of the stove without deformation or damage.
Some high-end rigid heat shields are made out of either aluminum, gold or composite, with most examples including a ceramic coating to provide a thermal barrier, which improves heat insulation. The flexible heat shield are normally made from thin aluminum or gold sheeting, most commonly sold either flat or in a roll.
Choosing the right materials behind a wood-burning stove is crucial for maintaining safety and protecting your home. Non-combustible backings, heat-resistant wall panels, fire-resistant boards, and tiles or stone can all be effective protective measures.
Strong, durable and resistant to water damage, DUROCK® Next Gen Cement Board is ideal for use in partitions, walls, floors and ceilings in residential construction and can be used as a heat shield. Water, Mould and Moisture Resistant.