Have to install a 'fire fender'?

scrub

I want to install a new gas fire but apparently the law insists that a fire fender must also be installed that's at least two inches high and fixed to the floor otherwise the gas fitter will refuse to fit the fire.

Alternatively, they could fit it at the same time. However, the cost of getting a fender is nearly £200 pounds if I go through suppliers.

I've got a flat original hearth which is fine so I just want a simple pewter fender that I've seen on ebay for £30 approx but I can't find how to fix it to the floor.

Does anyone know?

27col

Fire fenders are normally free standing. But, if it needs to be fixed, then a couple of screws will do the job. I don't see what your problem is. It could even be stuck down with mastic or No nails.

phil24_7

I have never heard of this requirement though granted I have never had a new gas fire installed.

casper_g

The most relevant part of the Building Regs that could apply in this case AFAIK is in Approved Document J, para. 3.41 which says that "the edges of hearths should be marked to provide a warning to building occupants and to discourage combustible floor finishes such as carpet from being laid too close to the appliance. A way of achieving this would be to provide a change in level."

I suppose if you want to have the hearth at floor level and use a fender to achieve compliance then it makes sense to require the fender to be fixed, as otherwise the occupier might can just move it (e.g. because they want to install a carpet) and the installation becomes non-compliant.

rustyboy21

Most open fronted gas fires require a hearth made of non combustable material which stand proud of the floor approx 2 ''. They should also give you approx 12'' depth at the front of the fire and clearance around the fire too.

The installer guide for the fire, will dictate the exact requirements, not the installer. Some less, some more. This is not for some stupid reason, An Open fronted fire, will naturally draw air in from the room, if clothing gets anywhewr near this, it could be sucked in and go alight causing injury. This has been in operation for over 25 years, so it is not new. It is not for , if a coal falls out, which is commonly thought.

You could do it with a brass type fender if you wish, but the ones I have seen look ridiculous when placed on a flat hearth, you will be falling over it all the time.

Get a Hearth fitted, then you can have your fire installed to regs and be safer.

If your fire is glass fronted, then the requirements to change, you can get away with shallower hearths, but the depth will most likely be the same.

casper_g

BS 5871-3:2005, which has the catchy title of "Specification for the installation and maintenance of gas fires, convector heaters, fire/back boilers and decorative fuel effect gas appliances — Part 3: Decorative fuel effect gas appliances of heat input not exceeding 20 kW (2nd and 3rd family gases)", says:

11.3.2.3 Fitted and free-standing appliances
In both cases the hearth shall:
a) have a thickness not less than 12 mm and be such that the heat transmitted through it does not give rise to a temperature greater than 80 ºC on its underside;
[...]
b) have a minimum height of 50 mm along its front and side edges.
COMMENTARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON 11.3.2.3b)
An upstanding edge of 50 mm minimum height along the front and the sides of the hearth or the installation of a fender of 50 mm minimum height would satisfy the hearth height requirement.
The 50 mm requirement is to:
1) discourage carpets or rugs from riding or being placed on top of the hearth; and
2) provide persons with a tactile (i.e. a physical proximity) warning that he or she is approaching the fire.

So the purpose of the hearth is twofold - to reduce the likelihood of combustible materials close to the fire and to keep people (and therefore their clothing) away.

I suppose this raises the question of whether "installation of a fender" means the fender must be fixed. Also, a British Standard is not "the law".

In practice the installation instructions from the fire manufacturer should be followed, as rustyboy21 says.

scrub

Thanks everyone.

Looks like I definitely have to have one then. Just wanted to be sure that it didn't have to be securely fastened by bolts or concreted in etc as building regs is so strict nowadays.

If I can just glue it, I'll go with that.