Installation Planning
Floor Protectors
If you are installing the fire above a combustible floor (timber, bamboo etc.) you will require a floor protector to protect the floor beneath the firebox.
Besides protecting your floor, the floor protector can be a feature that frames your fire with style.
It can also function as a visual ‘no go zone’ and families with young children sometimes choose to install a floor protector even when their floor material doesn’t require one.
View our Houzz Idea Board for floor protector ideas.
Clearance To Combustibles
The term “Clearance to Combustible materials” is the required distance between your fireplace and any surrounding combustible materials.
Materials such as wood or wood products, plaster board, plastics, curtains, soft furnishing or any other material that can burn when heated are considered combustible.
This includes combustibles you can’t see too, like timber frames behind your walls.
The figure to the right shows the clearance distances required for our fires.
Minimum Clearance
| Wall Material | Position of Firebox | Clearance Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Non Combustible | Fixed | 100mm |
| Non combustible | Rotating | 100mm |
| Combustible | Fixed | 700mm |
| Combustible | Rotating | 1200mm |
Reducing minimum clearances safely
Invariably we find some customers would like to get the firebox 100 mm from the wall but the wall is made of Gyprock, timber etc.
In this case there are a few options.
We have outlined the way that the majority of our customers tell us is the simplest and most cost effective solution. This solution works for the majority of cases, however, we recommend you should always consult with a qualified builder about the best solution for your home.
Replacing the combustible frames & walls with non-combustible materials
This is an option for both new builds & renovations. You will need to replace the combustible frames & walls in the clearance zone with non-combustible alternatives.
Once the frames & walls are replaced with a non combustible alternative the affected area will be considered non combustible. The clearance required will be reduced to 100mm.
Frame
The timber frame in the affected section will need to be replaced with steel or aluminium framing.
Replacing the walls
A variety of non-combustible materials can be used to replace the plasterboard or timber walls.
Three popular materials are a non-combustible Gyprock alternative such as PROMATECT – H, 100mm Hebel blocks or bricks. Your builder will help you determine the best material for you.
Noncombustible Materials - Supplier Contact Details
| Proprietary Name of Material | Supplier |
|---|---|
| PROMATECT-H |
Promatect Australia 1800 PROMAT (776 628) promat.com.au |
| Supalux | Trafalgar Building Products 03 9729 2141 |