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Re: Fireplace pedestal

To: Eric J Petrevich/LRM <inch@megageek.com>
Subject: Re: Fireplace pedestal
From: Randall <randallyoung@earthlink.net>
Date: Sun, 07 Nov 1999 22:05:40 -0800
Hi Inch :

Eric J Petrevich/LRM wrote:
>
> I have full size oxy-acetene tanks close to the fire place 

The tanks can stand any reasonable room temperature, but I would make
sure they are isolated from the radiant heat your stove puts out.  It
can easily heat surfaces far beyond room temperature.  If you can't move
the tanks far away from the stove, at least build some kind of shield. 
An acetylene tank is normally filled with a solid that the gas is
adsorbed into (because otherwise acetylene will spontaneously combust). 
The compressed O2 doesn't conduct heat any better than air, so it's easy
to get one side hot with radiant heat.
> 
> Next, the pedestal has a top of 3/4" plywood, with a full set of paver
> stones (1-1/2" thick) that go past the stove on all sides.  Then the four
> legs from the stove (albeit very short) are on an extra set of pavers
> putting an air space between the stove and paver surface.  Is this enough?

Depends on how the bottom of your stove is constructed.  The problem
would be if the pavers get hot enough from radiant heat to char the
plywood.  If you can put your hand between the stove and the pavers
after the stove has been going full-tilt for a few hours, then you are
probably OK.  Otherwise, I'd suggest a layer of something non-flammable
(like sheet metal) with an air gap, above the pavers.

> Should I lay some asbestos tile (I've got lots of them in the attic) down?
> These tiles are from house siding.  If I do use them, where should they be
> placed?

Asbestos house siding is actually a composite with asbestos fibers in
it.  I have no idea how heat-resistant it is, but I'll bet not very. 
BTW, asbestos isn't a particularly wonderful insulation, it was used
mostly because it is unaffected by heat (at any reasonable temperature
<g>) and was cheap.  I believe it was used in house siding for weather
resistance, not insulation.

Randall

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