Can you install a Scandia wood heater on engineered flooring without a hearth?

[geoffr]

We purchased a Scandia Warmbrite 300 Series 4 Indoor Wood Heater from Bunnings and about to install in our lounge. Our flooring is an engineered oak in a herringbone pattern parquetry. A raised hearth will make the room feel smaller, and we're wondering if we can sit the fireplace directly on the floor, without the need for another layer of hearth?

If so, I assume a silicon would help to hold the fireplace and prevent dust from getting under it.

Any advice? Is this feasible and does it meet code?

thanks,

Geoff

[MitchellMc]

Hi @geoffr,

Your flooring is a combustible material and requires a non-combustible hearth over it as per installation guidelines. Please note that all wood fires must be installed by a qualified person whose work conforms with local council regulations, Australian/New Zealand standards (AS/NZS 2918:2018) & manufacturers' recommendations. The floor protector must consist of a 9 mm-thick cement fibre sheet, which has a thermal resistance of 0.008 m2 K/W, per 4mm thickness or equivalent.

There could be other options that a qualified installer could implement to keep the hearth low-profile. Perhaps removing the Oak flooring in the hearth area and replacing it with a non-combustible material, such as tile, could be an option.

Please let me know if you have any questions. 

Mitchell

[geoffr]

Thanks Mitchell, that's helpful. Yes, we have a guy lined up to install the flue I'm just preparing the hearth.

Geoff