gas fireplace safety (laminate, floor, tile, doors)

[adventuregurl]

Does a gas fireplace require something like tile in front of it in case of sparks? I plan to have a laminate floor and wondered if that's ok. Home Depot didn't know .

[K'ledgeBldr]

Without going into the finite details of the code...

If you have a "gas only" direct-vent fireplace that has a "fixed glass" front, it requires no hearth ( the extension in front of a fireplace opening that is made of non-combustible materials).

Any other "fireplace" will most likely require a hearth. The more common explanation is- once a wood-burning fireplace, always a wood-burning fireplace, regardless of what you do to it.

[adventuregurl]

Thanks K'ledge, this fireplace was always gas and is an oak corner fireplace that seems to direct vent out the wall behind it as th vent is visible from the outside. It does have a glass front but I will check on whether it can open or not (I haven't taken possession yet)...but I doubt it.

[Okey Dokie]

We have a direct vent sealed glass gas fireplace with no hearth - the wood floor runs right up to it. There is a slight difference in the "glossiness" of the floor next to the fireplace. I'm sure it's due to heat damage. If we would ever re-do the floors I think I'd put down some sort of tile hearth even if it's not required by code.

[blazerj]

We have a gas, direct vent that has no hearth and sits up 4-5' off carpet in the bedroom.

I think the glass opens so you can access the fake log.

[K'ledgeBldr]

Originally Posted by adventuregurl

Thanks K'ledge, this fireplace was always gas and is an oak corner fireplace that seems to direct vent out the wall behind it as th vent is visible from the outside. It does have a glass front but I will check on whether it can open or not (I haven't taken possession yet)...but I doubt it.

When I said fixed glass it's not permanently attached, it just a single piece as opposed to "glass doors" that people put on f/pl's. As for everything you described, no hearth would be required.