Hey guys trying to get a good answer on this. I slammed a NC30 into a fireplace and am wondering if i need a mantle shield. From the stovetop to the underside of the mantle is 26". Sorry for those who saw this in my other post just trying to finish this install up tomorrow and start a fire! There is nothing in the manual discussing this as they dont really intend for these to be in fireplaces.
My owners manual for the Ideal Steel states that the minimum clearance is 30". 12" with a mantle shield. I'm assuming Englander would be similar.
My latest install of the Progress Hybrid was too close to the mantle. I think I read in the literature that 30in clearance is required. I fabricated a heat shield out of thin metal painted black. Used one inch spacers, it seems to have done the trick.
The stove is not made to be in there so I would go the extra step of putting a shield in there. Also, have you talked to your insurance company about this?
Insurance company said it didn't matter what I put in since I had an existing fireplace in their eyes a fire is a fire.
I installed the mantel 32" above the stove. It gets warm, but not bad. When I have a digital thermometer on the mantel, I never see it get above 95. I don't think you'd have any problems at your height, but it wouldn't hurt to install a heat shield.
I am not sure what gauge of metal I used. The is a metal shop in town, I told the guy what I needed and he rolled the edges for me. I scuffed it up with a green pad and painted it black
I wouldn't ask my insurance company as there are by no means any authority on clearances. Do a bit of research yourself and then educate the insurance company! The heat shield works like a charm! The gauge of the heat shield? Don't think I would go thicker than 24...thats what I built for the side of my 13 and been in place for 5(?) years now (attached to the side of the stove) with no damage/warping/distortion at all. It is also painted to match the stove. Your heat shield would probably be attached to the mantle or in that area?
that's straight out of the NFPA211 table 12.6.1 when there is not an applicable listed clearance as in this case refer to the 211. so yes our OP has 26 inches, which is too close so a shield would be required
