The following outlines the general principles of installing a Hi-Flame stove. As each installation will vary, these guidelines cannot be fully comprehensive. For model-specific requirements, always refer to the handbook supplied with your specific model.

Legal and Warranty Requirements

Your stove must be installed by a competent person — such as a HETAS or OFTEC registered installer — who is fully aware of all building and safety regulations applicable to stove installations in your location. This is both a legal requirement under current Building Regulations and a condition of your Hi-Flame Warranty.

Hearth

The constructional hearth and back hearth upon which the stove will sit must be built from non-combustible materials of the correct thickness, in full compliance with the applicable Building Regulations. Any superimposed hearth — the thinner, usually decorative surface laid on top — must also conform to the applicable Building Regulations.

Fireplace Recess

The fireplace recess or opening must be suitably constructed, and any new lintel must conform to the applicable Building Regulations. The recess must be large enough to accommodate the stove with appropriate air space around it, allowing the free movement of radiated heat and hot air. Any fireplace lining must have the appropriate fire rating. Standard plasterboard is not a suitable lining material.

Adjacent Walls

Any wall adjacent to a freestanding stove installation must be of sufficient thickness, made from appropriate non-combustible material, and conform to the applicable Building Regulations.

Chimney and Flue

The chimney must be of sufficient height, in good condition, and comply with the applicable Building Regulations for a stove installation. Hi-Flame recommends referring to the current issue of BS EN 15287-1:2007 Design, Installation and Commissioning of Chimneys.

The minimum flue height required is 4.5 metres (15') measured from the top of the stove. For shorter flues, the calculation procedure in BS EN 13384-1 may be used to determine whether the proposed flue design can provide sufficient draught. The chimney must be swept and tested prior to installation.

Combustible Materials

The proximity of all combustible materials to the stove must meet the minimum requirements in your stove's handbook, as well as all applicable local, national and European Building Regulations — whichever is the greater. A combustible material is anything that can burn once hot enough, including plasterboard, skirting boards, wooden fire surrounds, wooden mantels, wallpaper, fabrics and floor coverings. Bear in mind that combustible materials may be concealed behind surfaces that appear non-combustible — for example, plasterboard and stud-partitioned walls.

Air Supply

The stove must receive an adequate air supply for safe and efficient operation. In a post-2008 home, this must be provided either via a permanently open air vent or through the stove's direct external air supply. If your property has an MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) system, refer to your model's handbook for specific guidance. Additional information on air supply requirements is available in each model's handbook.