Hot mantle

[Scot Asher]

My question is regarding a house I did the other day which had a vented gas fireplace in the family room. The Oak mantle was built over the tile surround and was in contact with the tile which was too hot to touch.
I understand the Oak isn't going to combust at the temperature which it was, but it was still very hot and has me concerned what temperature is too hot for wood contact.
The mantle was 140deg and the tile was almost 170deg.
I am a little concerned about the temp, and showed the buyer, but I honestly am not sure how to write it up, or if it is even a concern for that matter.
Has anyone come across this issue in the past?

[Dom D'Agostino]

That looks like a direct vent unit, which is really a gas heater. They get extremely hot.

Get the make/model info and look up the clearances, especially for mantels (they consider that flat stock a mantle if it protrudes more than 1/2 inch in some Majestic specs).

[Scot Asher]

Thanks for taking the time to reply Dom. It was a Majestic, I'll look it up

[Benjamin Thompson]

They do get very hot above. Also, the flash point of wood goes down over time the more it is exposed to heat.
This is something I am seeing alot of lately.
27638

[Scott Patterson]

They also make a deflector that fits across the top, I think they come in a couple of widths. They force the hot air out further so the mantle does not get as hot. Actually I think the FP manufacturer recommends them if a mantel is installed.

[Mark Hagenlock]

They do get very hot above. Also, the flash point of wood goes down over time the more it is exposed to heat.
This is something I am seeing alot of lately.
27638


I never understood aligning two competing focal points (fireplace and television).
How much life do you think is sacrificed from that flat screen each time the fireplace is used?

[Gregory Booth]

.the manufacturers install instructions will have very specific instructions regarding the extent of mantle overhang verses verticle distance above the unit. As Scott mentioned, the use of the deflector will allow decrease in spacing and will also be spelled out.........Greg.

[Bob Harper]

The listing allows for 117F above ambient for surfaces at stated clearances.