Wood stud clearance

[JayCee12]

Hello all,
I need some input on this insert install. I had a fireplace when we bought the house but the brick job was terrible so I removed the brick floor to ceiling and studded and sheet rocked over the fireplace opening until I was ready for the insert. Now Im ready to install a osburn 1700 insert. I cut the wood studs halfway up the wall and installed metal studs and hardibacker for ceramic tile. I have 36" from the stove up to the closest wooden stud. If someone can take a look at the pics for me because Im second guessing myself wether or not Im doing the right thing here. Thanks in advance.

 

[bholler]

Hello all,
I need some input on this insert install. I had a fireplace when we bought the house but the brick job was terrible so I removed the brick floor to ceiling and studded and sheet rocked over the fireplace opening until I was ready for the insert. Now Im ready to install a osburn 1700 insert. I cut the wood studs halfway up the wall and installed metal studs and hardibacker for ceramic tile. I have 36" from the stove up to the closest wooden stud. If someone can take a look at the pics for me because Im second guessing myself wether or not Im doing the right thing here. Thanks in advance.

View attachment 302951 View attachment 302952

You are not. You absolutely cannot put an insert in there. Inserts can only be installed in working woodburning fireplaces. Code requires a masonry face not steel studs.

 

[JayCee12]

You are not. You absolutely cannot put an insert in there. Inserts can only be installed in working woodburning fireplaces. Code requires a masonry face not steel studs.

 

[JayCee12]

This is whats behind the wall

 

[bholler]

This is whats behind the wall

Yes I could see that through the metal studs

 

[begreen]

Is that a heatform fireplace behind the metal stud wall? If so and it is bonded with metal to the studs, how is this not safe or different from a permitted ZC fireplace with a metal face?
This is a new one to me, what is the governing code and are there exceptions permitted?

 

[begreen]

What is that pink board on the face? Hardibacker is usually tan or putty colored.

 

[JayCee12]

Not sure what kind of fireplace it is.

 

[JayCee12]

What is that pink board on the face? Hardibacker is usually tan or putty colored.

Hardibacker 500. 90% portland and sand.

 

[begreen]

Yes, I just found it. This is the shower stuff with the hydrodefense coating. I haven't seen it before.

 

[begreen]

Not sure what kind of fireplace it is.

View attachment 302959

It's a heatform-style metal fireplace. My concern is that it looks like there are opportunities (gaps) between the fireplace and the metal studding that may allow heat to get up the metal stud cavities.
I looked over the code, but didn't catch anything that covers this situation. bholler is a pro installer and has better knowledge of the code.

 

[JayCee12]

It's a heatform-style metal fireplace. My concern is that it looks like there are opportunities (gaps) between the fireplace and the metal studding that may allow heat to get up the metal stud cavities.
I looked over the code, but didn't catch anything that covers this situation. bholler is a pro installer and has better knowledge of the code.

All the gaps will be closed with hardi and then porcelain tiled, even going into the fireplace covering the studs and hardi. I get what your saying though. Id hate to have to rebrick the face.

 

[bholler]

Is that a heatform fireplace behind the metal stud wall? If so and it is bonded with metal to the studs, how is this not safe or different from a permitted ZC fireplace with a metal face?
This is a new one to me, what is the governing code and are there exceptions permitted?

Heat forms require 4" of solid masonry covering the smoke chamber area. At a minimum

 

[JayCee12]

You are not. You absolutely cannot put an insert in there. Inserts can only be installed in working woodburning fireplaces. Code requires a masonry face not steel studs.

If I remove the studs and brick

Heat forms require 4" of solid masonry covering the smoke chamber area. At a minimum

So I should remove the studs and brick it back up.

 

[begreen]

Heat forms require 4" of solid masonry covering the smoke chamber area. At a minimum

Yes, that makes sense. The code concern being that someone at some future point might want to revert this to an open fireplace and not know what is behind the facade? I had concerns about heat getting into the wall cavity even from the insert.

 

[bholler]

If I remove the studs and brick

So I should remove the studs and brick it back up.

Yes you can then tile over the brick if you want.

 

[JayCee12]

Yes, that makes sense. The code concern being that someone at some future point might want to revert this to an open fireplace and not know what is behind the facade?

Gotcha.

Yes you can then tile over the brick if you want.

Ok, sounds good. Thank You

 

[bholler]

Yes, that makes sense. The code concern being that someone at some future point might want to revert this to an open fireplace and not know what is behind the facade? I had concerns about heat getting into the wall cavity even from the insert.

Well inserts are tested and required to be installed in compliant fireplaces.

Is this safe? Very possibly but it doesn't conform to the standards so we don't really know

 

[JayCee12]

Well inserts are tested and required to be installed in compliant fireplaces.

Is this safe? Very possibly but it doesn't conform to the standards so we don't really know

I had doubts, you guys had doubts, thats enough for me. Better safe than sorry.

 

[JayCee12]

I had doubts, you guys had doubts, thats enough for me. Better safe than sorry.

Good Morning, one other question. If Im going up the block wall with brick do I need an airgap or is that just for a compustible wall. Id like to go tight against the block with the brick and mortar.

 

[bholler]

Good Morning, one other question. If Im going up the block wall with brick do I need an airgap or is that just for a compustible wall. Id like to go tight against the block with the brick and mortar.

Masonry should be tight

 

[JayCee12]

Masonry should be tight

Perfect, Thanks again.

 

[JayCee12]

Happy Holidays,
I faced the front with 4 inch block filled solid and tight to the wall, all the tile is done. Im a little confused with the hearth and the floor protection. Im going with 1-1/4 thick marble hearth and an 1-1/4 Marble floor protection, recessed into the hardwood floor so it doesnt stick up too much. My question is how much floor protection do I need if the bottom of the stove door is 12 inches high off the floor? Do I still need 16 inches out or does the stove door height come into play.