We have an old victorian fireplace with damaged tiles - this hearth is flush with the floor and framed by the wood of the floorboards. A friend has told me that I can't just retile this hearth and that because of building regulations I need to install a bigger and deeper hearth.
If I have to raise the hearth I'll need to take out the fireplace (it rests on the hearth as well as being screwed into the wall at either side) and then put it back on top of the hearth - obviously a lot of hassle!
Can anyone tell me the regulations regarding this? When I look this up on the internet most of what I find is regulations regarding woodburners and stoves, but what I have found on fireplaces seems to vary - one thing I read says that the hearth only needs to be 12mm deep (ok to do with tiles) as long as it is clear where its boundaries are (that means I can keep the old-style hearth), while another thing I read says it needs to be 50mm thick (sounds more like a modern one).
Any help greatly appreciated - thanks.
If I have to raise the hearth I'll need to take out the fireplace (it rests on the hearth as well as being screwed into the wall at either side) and then put it back on top of the hearth - obviously a lot of hassle!
Can anyone tell me the regulations regarding this? When I look this up on the internet most of what I find is regulations regarding woodburners and stoves, but what I have found on fireplaces seems to vary - one thing I read says that the hearth only needs to be 12mm deep (ok to do with tiles) as long as it is clear where its boundaries are (that means I can keep the old-style hearth), while another thing I read says it needs to be 50mm thick (sounds more like a modern one).
Any help greatly appreciated - thanks.