6.8 Fireplaces, chimneys and flues

6.8.3 Solid fuel – fireplaces and hearths

Fireplaces and hearths shall safely accommodate the fire or appliance for which they are designed. Issues to be taken into account include:

  1. provision of hearths and recesses
  2. separation of hearths from walls.

Where appliances are not provided, it is important to construct fireplaces and hearths to suit the appliance most likely to be fitted.

Provision of hearths and recesses#

Constructional hearths should be:

  • provided for open fires or closed combustion appliances in accordance with Building Regulations and the manufacturer’s recommendations
  • a minimum of 840mm in any direction for freestanding appliances
  • the adjacent diagram shows the minimum dimensions from the appliance to the edge of the hearth.

Recesses for open fires or closed combustion appliances:

  • should be provided to comply with Building Regulations and the manufacturer’s recommendations
  • should be lined with a fire back or fire bricks
  • where the opening is less than 500mm x 550mm, should have a 200mm diameter flue (or square section flue of an equivalent area)
  • where the opening is larger than 500mm x 550mm, should have a flue equivalent to 15% of the recess opening.

Separation of hearths from walls#

Walls near appliances and their hearths should be:

  • located to minimise the risk of fire
  • non-combustible, or the appliance should not be positioned closer to the wall than as shown in the following diagram.

Last updated: 2nd January 2024

Back to top ⇧