General ZC Fireplace Questions

[dtdandl]

Hello:

I have a Majestic RC36 ZC fireplace already installed. I have no issues with it. But I just removed the brick facing that surrounds it and I will now go with just the drywall that was behind the brick so I will now have a flush fireplace. Looks nice.

Anyway, as I was demo-ing the brick, I needed to take a look behind the unit to see if I can frame in some cubby hole type spaces next to the fireplace that will run from floor to ceiling. Again, just trying to customize it a little. So I pulled some of the drywall off next to the unit. My fireplace sits in the corner of the room as most probably do. So I do have some room to add some framing for my cubby holes. In doing all of this, I have five questions...

1) The two walls that form the corner in which the unit sits (behind the unit) are insulated but they do not have drywall covering them. Can I go in and cover these with drywall? I would like to reap the added energy benefit. There is at least 6 inches clearance between the ZC unit and the unfinished wall. I thought I read in the forum somewhere that someone wanted to put a ZC fireplace in a room that was already finished. The answer was that this was okay to do and to just frame around it.

2) Can I also go in behind the unit and drywall the ceiling where the "chimney" pipe extends up and into?

3) During my demo, I found a strip of brass sheet (36" long by 4" wide by maybe 1/16" thick that it stuffed under the unit in front. When I pulled it out, it has a label on it stating that it is there for saftey reasons and to read the installation manual (which I don't have).

4) I will be laying a pre-finished maple floor when all is said and done. Do I still need to have a hearth of some sort? There is no hearth now and the clearance from the floor to the fireplace opening is 11 inches.

5) What type of clearance do I need for the framing of my cubby holes next to the unit?

Regards and Thanks in Advance.
Dan from Detroit

 

[spot]

I have a majestic BC36 that I just installed last fall.
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/2717/
I think it may be very similar to your unit.

Here is a PDF of the closest owners manual I could find online.
(broken link removed to http://www.vermontcastings.com/catalog/elements/files/2006/7412944_BR_BC.pdf)

1) Yes you can put drywall over the insulation, though it may be difficult to do unless you remove the entire fireplace so you have room to work.

2) I believe the chimney needs a lot more clearance where it goes through the ceiling and should have a factory metal firestop/spacer at the ceiling level. This doesn't leave a whole lot left to drywall.

3) This strip is there to protect the floor from hot embers that fall out of the front of the firebox and get between the fireplace and the hearth. (if your unit is gas, you may not have embers - but the strip has to be there anyway.)

4) Yes you need to have a noncombustible (stone, tile, etc.) hearth at least 18 inches by 48 inches in front of the firebox. Since you have 11 inches of clearance to the bottom of the fireplace opening, you have room to build a raised hearth if you wish.

Flush hearth:
http://www.rumford.com/images/Suchmann.jpg
Raised hearth:
(broken link removed)

5) You should have 1/2 inch clearance from the sides to your framing, 4" to 6" from the sides to any combustible wall finish material...(example - the trim around your new cubby holes.) And I believe 6" or 12" from the top of the unit to the mantel.

PLEASE NOTE: All clearance measurements may vary with your particular model, the numbers stated here are based on a similar model. Make every attempt to get the owners manual for your model.

Majestic is made/distributed by Vermont Castings.
http://www.vermontcastings.com/
1-800-525-1898

 

[dtdandl]

Thanks, Firestarter. I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Regards.