Masonry Heat Shield

[Hillcountryhearth]

Hello all! Though I am new to here, I have been reading through the forums for the last month researching different types of stoves/fireplaces and insulations. What a wealth of knowledge many members possess!
I tried to find an answer to my question on past forums but was unsuccessful.
We have an Earth Stove Traditions T150C.
Our clearance space on back is 36 inches. With a masonry (standard masonry brick) wall it is 12 inches.
Our goal is the attached pic.

I have two questions:
1. I know I need to leave a 1" gap behind the masonry. Do I need to leave a gap at the bottom of the masonry wall by leaving every other brick out?

2. Should I use hollow or solid bricks?

Thank you for reading!

 

[Hillcountryhearth]

Just adding:
1. I know I need to leave a 1" gap behind the masonry. Do I need to leave a gap at the bottom of the masonry wall by leaving every other brick out? Or can the wall be floor to ceiling?

 

[kennyp2339]

Yes, you need the 1" gap on the bottom, the shield needs to be floating. I wouldn't use whole brocks because of the weight. I'd mount the a sheet of cement board on 1" spacers then use a veneer of choice to get the aesthetic look your going for.

 

[Hillcountryhearth]

Thank you for replying Kennyp. If I did something like this (photo attached) would I need to leave a gap on the ends as well or would the space at the top and bottom of the wall be enough? We are wanting to cap off the ends with a fireproof drywall to give it a smooth look. Our placement is in an alcove not a corner.

 

[kennyp2339]

Thank you for replying Kennyp. If I did something like this (photo attached) would I need to leave a gap on the ends as well or would the space at the top and bottom of the wall be enough? We are wanting to cap off the ends with a fireproof drywall to give it a smooth look. Our placement is in an alcove not a corner.
View attachment 259124

Im not sure that counts as a ventilated heat shield, check out a few of these sites, again you will be at the mercy of local inspectors and insurance agents when building something like this, I'd come up with a plan, rough sketch drawing and get approval ahead of time before doing the work.

NASD - Wood Stove Installation and Operation

WHAT SHOULD I PLACE A STOVE ON? For heaters set on legs or pedestals that provide not less than 6 inches of ventilated space beneath the fire chamber or base of the appliance, use closely spaced solid masonry bricks or blocks not less than 2 inches thick. The top surface of the bricks should be cov

nasdonline.org

https://woodheat.org/clearances.html - Canadian but good insight
https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-stan...s/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=211 - the actual nfpa code.

 

[Hillcountryhearth]

Im not sure that counts as a ventilated heat shield, check out a few of these sites, again you will be at the mercy of local inspectors and insurance agents when building something like this, I'd come up with a plan, rough sketch drawing and get approval ahead of time before doing the work.

NASD - Wood Stove Installation and Operation

WHAT SHOULD I PLACE A STOVE ON? For heaters set on legs or pedestals that provide not less than 6 inches of ventilated space beneath the fire chamber or base of the appliance, use closely spaced solid masonry bricks or blocks not less than 2 inches thick. The top surface of the bricks should be cov

nasdonline.org

https://woodheat.org/clearances.html - Canadian but good insight
https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-stan...s/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=211 - the actual nfpa code.

Thank you! I've read the NFPA and our local codes as well, they all talk about heat shields and floating 1" (minimum) above the floor, but I am confused!
How do people float standard masonry walls 1" above the ground?

We are wanting to use standard brick, there was a fireplace here previously and there is a brick foundation beneath our alcove so weight shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Mech e]

Thank you! I've read the NFPA and our local codes as well, they all talk about heat shields and floating 1" (minimum) above the floor, but I am confused!
How do people float standard masonry walls 1" above the ground?

We are wanting to use standard brick, there was a fireplace here previously and there is a brick foundation beneath our alcove so weight shouldn't be a problem.

I would not float it, but transfer the weight to the floor with a support system that yields the 1" air gap and is mostly open. I would probably want the bottom gap at least 80% open. As mentioned earlier, sketch it up and get it approved before doing the work.

 

[begreen]

Would 18" work? Instead of trying for a ventilated wall another option is a solid brick wall for a 50% clearance reduction.

If you want a brick wall that is ventilated you could put up a ventilated cementboard wall on spacers, then do a thin brick veneer on that.

 

[andym]

Have a metal shop make a ventilated base for the masonry to set on. If you have a welder it would be simple. Couple of flat metal (SS or aluminum would work too) pieces with spacers welded between.

 

[Hillcountryhearth]

Thank you all for your help! I went back to the house tonight and did some additional measurements. A 50% reduction could work.

I appreciate all the advice and will post a pic when complete!
Best wishes from the Texas Hill Country

 

[begreen]

Great, they should be full-sized brick for a 4" thick wall and remember that the clearances are to the wall behind the brick, not to the face of the brick.

 

[Hillcountryhearth]

Great, they should be full-sized brick for a 4" thick wall and remember that the clearances are to the wall behind the brick, not to the face of the brick.

That sounds good! I appreciate everyone's suggestions.