Something Doesn't Add up

[ArnottRidge]

Quick Question,

We're honing in on a stove purchase for our basement, but ran into a question about vertical clearances on the PE Alderlea T6 (http://www.pacificenergy.net/alderlea/pdfs/AL6B-030512-20.pdf)

Is there a vertical clearance requirement? If you read the documentation, on page 9 it seems to indicate that you need 56 1/2" from stove top to ceiling. What doesn't add up is that it also says that you need a 7' ceiling minimum. The stove itself is 29 13/16" tall, which means if the 56 1/2" clearance number is true you would need (56 1/2+29 13/16=86 5/16") ceilings, which is greater than 7', especially if you add the thickness of the hearth pad.

My net question is...if I have 7'+ ceilings throughout the basement (right above the stove there are two ceiling heights as a knotty pine covered hot air vent is over about 1/2 of the hearth leaving a 7' 4" ceiling height with 8' 3" ceiling heights elsewhere) am I okay? FYI if it matters...this isn't a mobile home install.

Thanks,
Justin

 

[begreen]

84" is a pretty typical standard. It sounds like you are right on the edge. I wouldn't worry about it too much. The T6 is not highly radiant except from the front of the stove. If you want to be totally safe, put a ceiling shield up over the stove on 1" spacers leaving an open air space behind it. The shield can be sheet metal or cement board.

 

[thechimneysweep]

The shield won't be needed, BG. The T6's overall height of 29-13/16" is measured to the top of the flue collar: the ceiling clearance of 56-1/2" is measured from the hot spot, the cooktop under the cooking trivets, which is 27-1/2" above the floor. So, floor to cooktop (27-1/2") plus minimum overhead (56-1/2") = 84", or 7 feet.

 

[Jags]

Tom - are you sure?

 

[fossil]

Seems to me the minimum ceiling height requirement might only apply to alcove installations. Yea/ Nay?

 

[begreen]

Tom - are you sure?

Depends on the height of the hearth, no? Though considering the stove only needs ember protection it doesn't need a lot under it.

 

[begreen]

Seems to me the minimum ceiling height requirement might only apply to alcove installations. Yea/ Nay?

Nay. In this case PE specifically calls out room height.

 

[Jags]

Depends on the height of the hearth, no? Though considering the stove only needs ember protection it doesn't need a lot under it.

Dat be true, but the OP stated 7+. OP - can we assume the + is beyond the thickness of the hearth requirements?

 

[begreen]

Yep, I be just talking generalities here. In the Op's case I think he is fine.

 

[thechimneysweep]

Tom - are you sure?

Jags, I'm always sure. Just not always right. So I double-checked.

In a non-alcove installation, all Arnottridge is going to need is 7' even, measured from his hearth surface. The original post mentions a height of 7'4" on the low side, so the hearth can be as much as 4" thick (it only needs to be 1/4" thick).

 

[fossil]

Nay. In this case PE specifically calls out room height.

Interesting. That means in some cases you couldn't put these stoves up on a raised hearth if you wanted to.

 

[ArnottRidge]

Thanks...I didn't realize that the measurement was to the hot spot...that makes more sense. In that case, even with my hearth pad, I would be around 1" more than the requirement to my lowest ceiling. Just wanted to make sure.

 

[begreen]

Interesting. That means in some cases you couldn't put these stoves up on a raised hearth if you wanted to.

True, that could be a blocking issue in certain cases. Though they do give a bit of wiggle room on the prior page regarding clearances:

"Clearances may be reduced with various heat insulating materials. Consult local fire codes and authorities for approval."