Mantel Minimum Requirements Question

[eric-holmes]

I don't want to sound like a person who doesn't believe regulations exist for a reason, but some of these mantel minimum requirements seem a little extreme. I have an FPX 36 elite and I was planning on putting a mantel surround around it, but if I follow the minimum requirements, it will be massive.

Does everyone one here obey all the requirements? If you didn't, do/have you had problems?

 

[Grisu]

If you don't you may have a problem if anything ever happens and you try to collect money from your insurance. Not to mention that they may not insure you in the first place because you fail the code inspection. Pick a non-combustible mantel and you won't have any problems.

 

[danimal1968]

If you don't, you're handing your insurance company a ready-made reason to deny your claim if you ever had a fire.

 

[eric-holmes]

Non-combustible mantel? Haven't seen anyone of those except for the cast stone ones that are thousands of dollars.

 

[rwhite]

Although some may disagree there is actually some testing involved in clearances. It not a matter of this is good so let's add 10" to be really good. They are there for a reason and factor in some worse case scenarios that may happen. Follow the recommended clearances.

 

[eric-holmes]

Anymore on these noncombustible mantels? This would be a full mantel surround.

 

[Warm_in_NH]

Anymore on these noncombustible mantels? This would be a full mantel surround.

Search here for mantles. I recall seeing one where I guy layered up durorock to buold out a shelf and the put stone or tile on it. Pretty cool.

 

[begreen]

(broken link removed to http://www.mantelpro.com/mantel_Cast.htm)

 

[Grisu]

Probably not cheap but who knows? http://www.dracme.com/2008/Dracme-All-Fireplaces-Mantels.php
Check also with your local fireplace stores. Maybe you are lucky and they have one left over from the summer that they want to get rid off.