You now know exactly where your new oven will stand: next to the chimney, opposite a sofa, behind the oven against a wall and on the beautiful new laminate floor.
But have you also taken the safety distances into account?
The oven doesn’t just heat where you want it to. And some pieces of furniture can get dangerously hot, even if they’re not touching the oven at all.
How far away should the stove be from the furniture?
“One meter away from the seat? That should be enough!”
He doesn’t have to.
Significant radiant heat can enter the room through the glass door. The seating area in front of the stove may therefore be exposed to a greater thermal load than the furniture standing next to it.
For some ovens, the manufacturer requires a distance of 80 cm before glazing, for others, for example, 120 cm or more.
There is no universally valid number for all wood-burning stoves. The instructions for the respective model and the relevant fire safety regulations are decisive.
And be careful, it’s not just about wooden furniture. Upholstered furniture, curtains, carpets, and decorations can also pose a risk.
And what about the wall for the stove?
“It’s just an ordinary wall. What could possibly happen?”
That depends on what it’s actually made of.
The situation is different for non-combustible masonry, but also for wooden cladding, plasterboard walls with combustible layers or walls with heat-sensitive materials.
Even a seemingly non-flammable surface may not reveal what lies beneath.
And don’t forget the flu! The device also heats up during operation and must meet the requirements for safety distances to surrounding buildings.
Is it sufficient to cover the wall with aluminum foil, or must it be covered with a non-combustible material?
“There’s a wooden wall behind the stove. What if I covered it with aluminum foil? It would reflect the heat! Or I could attach a sheet of metal, tiles, or a non-combustible board. Then I could move the stove closer, right?”
Unfortunately, it’s not that simple!
Aluminum foil is no substitute for a properly constructed heat shield. Tiles, sheet metal, or fire-resistant panels attached directly to a wooden wall also do not automatically provide reliable protection.
Why?
Because Non-combustible materials can still conduct heat.The surface itself does not burn, but the wood behind it can gradually heat up.
Is there any solution?
Yes. Special protective structures and heat shields are used for such situations.
In some solutions, a ventilated air gap also plays an important role, as it helps to dissipate heat from the protected wall.
But beware! Even a heat shield doesn’t automatically mean you can place the oven close to the wall.
The possibility of reducing safety distances must be consistent with the documentation of the respective furnace, the relevant fire protection requirements and the correct design of the protective devices.
Our advice: Use the aluminum foil for baking potatoes instead of improvising to protect the wooden wall behind the stove.
Can I install a stove on a floating floor?
“I’ll just put a glass underneath, then the problem is solved!”
That may be, but first you need to find out what type of flooring you have and what kind of protection the selected oven requires.
Laminate, vinyl, wood, or other flammable or heat-sensitive materials require adequate protection.
Safety glass, sheet steel or a suitable non-combustible floor covering is often used under the stove.
However, it is not enough to simply buy any glass plate just because it fits under the stove.
The protective surface must have the correct dimensions and meet the installation requirements. It must protect the floor from hot particles and, if applicable, from thermal effects.
How big does the oven mat need to be?
“The oven is 50 cm wide, so I’ll buy a glass pane with a width of 60 cm. That’s enough, right?”
He doesn’t have to!
The mat must also protect the area where hot coals can fall when lighting the fire.
Certain installations may require overhangs, for example, 50 cm in front of the loading opening and additional overhangs on the sides. However, the exact dimensions depend on the specific requirements.
Therefore, it is important Choose the base according to the installation requirements and not just based on the oven’s floor plan dimensions..
What else is often forgotten?
For everyday things.
A basket of wood right next to the stove. A curtain that reaches all the way up the chimney. A rug in front of the door. Or a chair that visitors move closer to the fire.
And what about small children or pets?
Hot glazing can cause severe burns. Therefore, in households with children, it is advisable to consider a suitable safety barrier, which itself must be securely installed.
Even during normal use of the living room, safe distances must be maintained.
Our final piece of advice
Choose the oven first, then measure the space for it. Not the other way around.
Check the clearances in front of, behind, to the sides, and above the stove. Don’t forget the flue, floor protection, and the condition of the surrounding walls.
And if your stove doesn’t fit securely in your desired location, don’t try to save it with aluminum foil or a piece of metal.
There may be a suitable solution, but it must be designed safely and validated for the specific installation.
Because a beautiful living room is one thing. A safe living room is much more important.