Fireplace Location

Fireplace location reflects the objectives and preferences of the homeowner. For ease of monitoring and refueling as well as for aesthetic enjoyment, woodburning fireplaces are ideally placed in frequently used areas such as the living room, family room, or den. Selection of location for factory-built fireplaces and wood stoves varies enough to warrant separate consideration.

Fireplace Location

It's light weight and close clearance to combustibles capability makes the factory-built fireplace an extremely versatile hearth product. Because of their relatively small framing dimensions, factory-built fireplaces may be placed in corners, against interior and exterior walls, used as room dividers, or installed in field-constructed chases on the exterior of a dwelling.

Additionally, factory-built fireplaces do not require special footings and foundations because they generally weigh no more than a large piece of furniture. Sufficient care should be taken, however, to make sure that floor joints and/or the foundation for the fireplace are strong enough to support the fireplace system without sagging for the expected life cycle of the building in which it is placed. In spite of the many installation conveniences of factory-built fireplaces, there are factors that affect safety, performance, and installation cost that should be considered.

Firebox Location

The fireplace should not be located near frequently opened doors, central heat furnace outlet registers or cold air returns or in any area where turbulence or negative pressure effects will create air movement that will cause smoke spillage, or allow flames, sparks, or ashes to escape the fireplace opening. Do not place the fireplace directly across from, or in an area where its heat output will affect central heating thermostats.

Location of the fireplace and chimney can also affect proper performance of the system. The chimney should be located so that it is as vertically straight as possible for maximum draft (and cost reduction). An interior location offers better draft performance than an exterior chimney location due to reduced heat loss from the chimney. The chimney should not terminate under overhanging trees or other obstructions that might create air turbulence that could reduce draft.

Construction Features

The location selected should require minimal cutting of joists and rafters and limited alteration of the dwelling structure. Engineered trusses should not be cut or altered.

Safe Clearances

Installation planning details include making sure clearances can be met or exceeded. Minimum clearances between the firebox and framing, sheetrock, and other combustibles must be maintained. The same it true for the area surrounding the chimney and for its penetration of walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs.

The fireplace should also be located so that appropriate minimum clearances between the fireplace and adjacent walls and other combustibles (such as drapes and furniture) will be maintained. Consult the manufacturer's instructions for this specification. This spacing is required to prevent hazardous over-heating of combustible materials by heat radiated from the fireplace opening. Some manufacturers offer shielding accessories or recommend materials that allow their fireplaces to be installed at reduced clearances. These reduced clearances are normally included in the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Check manufacturer's instructions for any requirements for the minimum size of the room for installation. It should not be located in an area where fallible liquids or gases will be stored.