6.8 Fireplaces, chimneys and flues

6.8.18 All – fireplaces and hearths

Fireplaces and hearths shall safely accommodate the appliances for which they are designed.

Combustible material should not be placed under a constructional hearth unless it is:

  • to support the edges of the hearth
  • at least 250mm from the material to the top of the hearth, or
  • separated from the underside of the hearth by an air space of at least 50mm.

Fireplace recesses should be constructed of solid non-combustible material as follows (dimensions in the diagrams are based on a 125mm concrete hearth below an open fire). The space between a fire back and masonry forming the recess should be filled with vermiculite concrete (1:4, lime:vermiculite with water).

Last updated: 2nd January 2024

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