Wall mounted Heat shield

[Chad S.]

Are clearances measured from the heat shield to the stove or from the wall to the stove?
If they are measured from the wall to the stove and the heat shield is say, 3" from the stove but the wall is the recommended say, 6" from the stove is that acceptable?

 

[fossil]

Are clearances measured from the heat shield to the stove or from the wall to the stove?
If they are measured from the wall to the stove and the heat shield is say, 3" from the stove but the wall is the recommended say, 6" from the stove is that acceptable?

A wall heat shield is used to reduce the required clearance from combustible material (CTC). The allowable reduction is expressed as a percentage, and the magnitude depends on the type of shielding material and how it's installed. In any case, the measurement is always made from the stove to the combustible material (as though the shield weren't there). For example, if the stove manufacturer's documentation gives a requirement of 18" from the rear of the stove to combustible material AND states that it's permissible to reduce this clearance by installing an appropriate wall shield, and you put one in that buys you a 66% reduction, then the stove may be placed as close as 9" from the combustible wall, with the shield between the two.

NFPA 211 describes shields of different types that provide for reductions of 33%, 50%, and 66%.

If you have an old unlisted appliance, then NFPA 211 is the best guidance you've got...but your local Authority Having Jurisdiction has the final say. If you've got a newer listed appliance, then the manufacturer's documentaion trumps NFPA 211, and you can only use wall shielding to reduce CTC's if the manufactuer says you can.

If you tell us about your appliance (stove) and describe the installation you're planning in more detail, we can help out a bunch. Rick