How much space should I leave around a wall mounted Bioethanol Fireplace?

Some think a bioethanol fireplace is purely decorative, producing very little heat, but that's untrue. A bioethanol fireplace creates around 3kWh of heat from a real live flame, so you must practice the same caution you would for a traditional wood- or coal-burning flame. 

Let's put that 3kWh into context: 

Electric heater: a 1kW electric heater uses 1kWh in power and will heat a room of 10m². Most electric heaters are at least 2kW, use 2kWh in power, and will heat a space of 20m². 

A bioethanol fireplace (on full) will heat a 30m² room comfortably. And just like an electric fire, you should practice caution regarding flammable objects placed nearby. 

How much space should I leave around a wall-mounted fireplace?

Surprisingly, there aren't any specific legal regulations regarding the installation of a wall-mounted bioethanol fireplace. However, you should definitely practice common sense. 

We recommend leaving at least 60cm between the top of your fire and electrical equipment, such as a TV. Practice the same caution for all flammable objects, with at least 60cm in all directions from your fireplace, especially if the flame is open, as with our wall-mounted Alden range. 

Practice extra caution around curtains, which could reach your fire if they're disturbed by a breeze. Leave at least 1m between the furthest reach of the curtains and your bioethanol fireplace. 

Ensure that the wall is strong enough to sustain the weight of the fireplace. For example, our Alden White model is 19kg in weight and comes with the appropriate fittings to ensure that you can safely attach it to the wall. However, your wall must be substantial enough to bear 19kg. In doubt, seek the advice of an engineer. 

Can I fit my wall-mounted bioethanol fireplace underneath a TV?

Absolutely. 

However, we suggest you keep the following in mind as a minimum: 

  • Remember: the flame of a biofire can behave erratically. A sudden draft could send the flame in an unexpected direction, so practice caution when opening your biofire's door. We suggest a minimum distance of 60cm between the top of the closed-top biofire and the bottom of the TV.
  • Recessing the TV into the wall may reduce the impact of heat on the TV. 
  • We suggest you install a heat/flameproof item to separate the fire from the TV, such as a shelf with a flameproof covering. 
  • Never put TV cables or leads behind your biofire, as they can overheat, creating a potential fire risk. 

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