Is it possible to reduce the minimum clearances to combustible materials?
Before you read this section, please take note that the information supplied in the table below is based on Canadian standards and may not apply to other countries.
The minimum clearances can be reduced by installing a protective shield. The shield can be made of various non-combustible materials, such as ceramic, brick or metal. After installing a heat shield, the minimum clearances indicated on the heater's certification plate can be reduced, as summarized in the table below:
| TYPE OF PROTECTION |
Percentage of clearance reduction using shielding |
| SIDES AND BACK |
TOP |
| Sheet metal, with minimum thickness of 0,013" (0,33mm), spaced out by at least 1" (25.4mm) by non-combustible spacers. |
67% |
50% |
| Ceramic tiles, or an equivalent non-combustible material installed on a non-combustible support, spaced out by at least 1" (25.4mm) by non-combustible spacers. |
50% |
33% |
| Ceramic tiles, or an equivalent non-combustible material installed on non-combustible supports with a minimum of 0,013" (0,33mm) sheet metal backing spaced out by at least 1" (25.4mm) by non-combustible spacers. |
67% |
50% |
| Brick, spaced out by at least 1" (25.4mm) by non-combustible spacers. |
50% |
N / A |
| Brick, with a minimum of 0,013" (0,33 mm) sheet metal backing spaced out by at least 1" (25.4mm) by non-combustible spacers. |
67% |
N / A |
|