Planning Information - Vermont Castings BFC36 Homeowner's Installation And Operating Manual

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 1" (25 mm) from a combus-
tible back wall and 1/2" (13 mm) from a combustible side
wall or support. (Page 13, Fig. 17)
Planning the Chimney Run
Determine how the chimney will be run, length of run and
chimney components required to complete the job. (Fig. 4)
Never install a chimney below minimum heights.
L T
TRIPLE
WALL
81
L 1
818
83
L 1
84
Fig. 4 Installed lengths of chimney sections.
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° from a vertical
plane.
3. A chimney may run straight up or it may be necessary
to offset it to avoid obstructions.
4. The maximum length of an angled run (total chimney
system) is 20' (6 m).
5. No more than 2 offsets (4 total 30° elbows in U.S./or
2 total 45° elbows in Canada) per fireplace may be
used.
6. A guy wire stabilizer is required for chimneys extending
more than 6' (1.8 m) above a roof line.
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Planning Information

TOTAL INSTALLED
LENGTH LENGTH
(L T )
(L 1 )
"
"
" "
"
"
" "
FP288a
FP288A
MBUF-INSTALLED LENGTH
Triple wall
1/28/99 djt
BFC36 Balanced Flue Heat-Circulating Fireplace
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. 5)
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' (3 m), a chimney height refer-
ence point is established 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' (610
mm) above the reference point, but never less than 3'
(914 mm) in height above the highest point where it
passes through the roof.
0 To 10'
2' Min.
3'
Min.
Reference
Point
Fig. 5 Ten Foot Rule illustration.
Chimney Supports
The chimney system is supported by the fireplace for verti-
cal chimney heights less than 30' (9m) above the hearth.
Chimney supports are required if the vertical height ex-
ceeds 30' (9m). Locate chimney supports at ceiling holes
or other structural framing at 30' (9m) heights. Spacing
between chimney supports must not exceed 30' (9m).
Use Chimney Support Model TCS8A. (NOTE: The TCS8A
cannot be mounted directly to the fireplace.) Support
provided by elbow straps fulfills the support requirement
only if they are spaced as previously described. (A chimney
support is 2Z\x" (64mm) long when installed.)
Angled chimney runs require a support every 6' 1.8m) in
addition to the elbow straps. Chimney supports are used
for this function. (Fig. 6)
0 To 10'
2' Min.
3'
Min.
AC246
4/1/96
AC246
7