Fireplace: Building a structure to tile

[Fevvahz]

Gents,

I'm looking at constructing a fireplace surround to be tiled. I intend to use the fireplace in the future, would a wood and ply box construction be suitable once tiled, or would these be inappropriate due to the proximity of the heat?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Richard C]

I'm looking at constructing a fireplace surround to be tiled. I intend to use the fireplace in the future, would a wood and ply box construction be suitable once tiled,

No not if the fire is to be anything other than a visual feature with little heat output

or would these be inappropriate due to the proximity of the heat?

Yes, as above.

Have a read of this lot but not all may be relevant to what you want to do.

Unless installed by a HETAS registered installer, a new stove or open fire installation must be notified to your LABC (fee involved) Unless you use a HETAS installer, the fire installation & flue must be inspected for Building Regs compliance & a certificate issued which you must have for your own safety & for all important insurance purposes in the event of any future problems.

For stoves specifically, Part J Building Regs, is what you need to comply with;
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADJ_2010.pdf

This site is also very useful & more user friendly;
http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/stove_building_regulations.html

In addition to a flue/chimney you will need a constructional hearth, ventilation & a notice plate giving details of the installation. There are other considerations regarding the type of materials you should use around a stove due to the heat they generate, for example Gypsum plaster or plasterboard shouldn’t be used as it will not withstand more than 49 degrees C & will break up. Lots of archive threads on stoves & other things you need to watch out for, here a few links for you to read but not all may be relevant to you:

http://www.hetas.co.uk/public/certificates.html
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/pdfs/buidling_regs_consumer leaflet.pdf
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=183614
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=211524
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=242738
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=224751

& some more sobering just in case you think it’s all a load of old tosh:
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/main_pages/news.htm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...wood-burning-stove-leaks-carbon-monoxide.html

Also you can get quotes from local independent HETAS installers who will self certify:
http://www.hetas.co.uk/nearest_member