IDEAL BELKNAP Series Installation & Operation Manual

OUTDOOR
FIREPLACES
INSTALLATION & OPERATION GUIDE
Items To Consider Before Installation
HearthScapes outdoor wood fireplaces, crafted by Ideal Block, represent a premium precast fireplace designed to elevate your outdoor
living experience. These fireplaces are intended exclusively for outdoor use and should not be placed within enclosed structures.
Ensuring proper clearances in relation to combustible materials is essential. Local regulations must be adhered to and take precedence over
any recommendations outlined in this document. Please consult your local Building and Fire Departments for regulations pertinent to your
city or town.
The chimney extension is designed to accept a 14"x14" top-mount chimney cap and spark arrestor, which must be used with your
HearthScapes unit. When using a 13"x13" clay flue, the unit will accept a 13"x13" flue mount chimney cap and spark arrestor. Maintain a
clearance of at least 8 feet from the cap to any combustible materials. Additionally, create a minimum 4-foot clear area in front of the fireplace
opening, free from combustible items such as wood decking and furniture. Ideal may advise, but ultimately the proper placement and use of
the HearthScapes unit is the responsibility of the installer and owner.
Exercise caution and assess your surroundings for potential hazards, including power lines and trees, to guarantee a safe clearance in your
outdoor living area.
Pad Requirements
Your HearthScapes by Ideal outdoor fireplace must be placed on Turfstone pavers or a concrete pad. As the fireplace requires minimal
assembly or mortar, a traditional frost foundation may not be essential. However, it is crucial to prepare the base properly. The minimum
dimensions for the pad are as follows:
Fairfield Series: 50 inches wide by 36 inches deep
Belknap Series: 50 inches wide by 36 inches deep
If a single universal side storage box is used, enlarge the pad width by 27 inches. If two are being used, enlarge the pad width by 54 inches.
For a gravel base topped with Turfstone, start by clearing all organic material, including plant matter and topsoil, in the area you wish to
prepare. Clay soils may require more excavation. Replace it with at least 10 inches of gravel material, compacted in multiple lifts, following a
process similar to preparing a driveway.
If you opt to pour a concrete pad, ensure a minimum depth of 6 inches of concrete on top of a prepared and compacted gravel base of at
least 6 inches. Within the concrete pad, install rebar in a checkerboard pattern with 12-inch centers to prevent the pad from splitting and
exerting undue pressure on the fireplace. Generally, the pad should be allowed to cure for 7 days. Consult the concrete manufacturer for
specific cure time guidance.
Fireplace Placement
Upon completing the installation of your concrete or Turfstone pad, you can proceed to position your fireplace into place. The fireplace will
be delivered on a robust pallet, facilitating safe transportation to its final location. It is advised that you keep the fireplace on the pallet until it
is positioned adjacent to the slab or pad. The pallet ensures proper weight distribution, especially over uneven terrain. Begin by removing
the chimney extension from the firebox.
Locate the two fork pockets on the bottom of the firebox, which can be used to lift the fireplace from its pallet. For equal weight distribution,
place and center the fireplace on your pad. If a single side box is being used, place the fireplace 3 inches from the outside of the pad on the
side opposite the box. If two boxes are being used, center the fireplace on the pad as usual. Next, mount and secure the chimney extension
with a heat-resistant mortar, ensuring it is centered on the opening at the top of the firebox.
If you choose to increase the height of the chimney, we recommend a maximum of 4 chimney extensions on top of a HearthScapes unit.
Extending the height beyond four extensions can be done with 4" cored CMUs. Should you position the fireplace unit close to a detached
combustible structure, such as a pergola, arbor, gazebo, or pavilion, it is necessary to insert a 13"x13" clay flue liner within the chimney ex-
tensions. The chimney should clear the combustible structure by a minimum of 3 ft. The extensions are sized perfectly to accept the liner and
require no additional lintel or support piece. Note: Going higher than four chimney extensions may alter the draft of your fireplace, depending
on the environment and location of the unit.
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