When dealing with an open fire, it is crucial to be mindful of potential fire hazards. One key consideration when purchasing and installing a bioethanol fireplace is ensuring the appropriate safety distance between the fire and surrounding objects and materials. This guide will help you understand the necessary safety distances to maintain, helping to minimise risks and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Key Safety Precautions for Bioethanol Fireplaces
This guide focuses primarily on essential steps and measurements for DIY bioethanol fireplace projects, as well as general placement guidelines for various types of bioethanol fireplaces.
- Exercise caution during installation: A bioethanol fireplace generates a real flame — ensure no flammable materials are nearby.
- Use non-combustible materials: MDF is not suitable. If building your own bioethanol fireplace, always use non-combustible materials. This is less of a concern with ready-made fireplaces, as these are typically designed with safe materials.
- Allow sufficient clearance: Maintain a recommended clearance of at least 50–60 cm above the burner and at least 100 cm from any flammable materials.
Currently, there are no specific bioethanol building regulations in the UK, so each manufacturer sets their own guidelines. Always adhere to the installation manual provided with your fireplace. If you have any doubts, feel free to contact bioethanol-fireplace.co.uk.
Bioethanol Burner Installation in a Surround
If you are planning to place a burner inside a surround — including converting an old wood-burning stove — the following guidelines apply. If you intend to install a TV above your bioethanol fireplace, follow our dedicated guide: Installation of a TV above your bioethanol fireplace.
| Ref. | Description |
|---|---|
| A | We recommend a minimum clearance of 50–60 cm above the fire opening for the flame. |
| B | No definite safety distance for the sides, but we recommend 5–10 cm. If placing several burners next to each other, leave a minimum of 5 cm between them. |
| C | We recommend approximately 10 cm in front of and behind the burner. |
| D | The optimum depth varies with the burner. If you want to hang a TV above the fire, allow extra space to push the burner further in. |
| E | If hanging a TV above the fire, ensure heat does not rise directly into the TV. Allow a minimum of 10 cm in front of the burner — 15–20 cm is recommended for a TV above. |
| F | No specific floor distance requirements. Ensure the burner is placed on solid materials and is positioned horizontally. |
| G | If hanging a TV above, add an additional 30 cm clearance above the burner. See our dedicated TV installation guide for full details. |
| Ref. | Recommended Materials and Notes |
|---|---|
| 1 | Must be completely solid and fireproof. Suitable materials include bricks, slate, stone, cement, ceramics, or metal (stainless steel recommended). Do NOT use MDF, gypsum boards, or fibreboards. |
| 2 | Recommended materials: stainless steel, metal, stone, slate, cement, or bricks. |
| 3 | This part is particularly affected by heat. Ensure it is thick and solid. Suitable materials include bricks, steel, cement, or stone. Heat-insulate if necessary with Vacupor or mineral wool. |
| 4 | Use fireproof materials such as metal, stone, slate, bricks, or tiles. |
| Note | Be especially vigilant with curtains and similar items that can move in a draught. Maintain a minimum safety distance of 1 metre from the fireplace at all times. |
Bioethanol Burner Installation Without a Surround
If you are installing a bioethanol burner without a cavity or surround, adhere to the following safety distances to ensure safe and efficient operation.
| Ref. | Description |
|---|---|
| A | We recommend approximately 10 cm of space in front of and behind the burner. |
| B | We recommend 5–10 cm on both sides of the burner. If placing several burners next to each other, leave a minimum of 5 cm between them. |
| C | We recommend a minimum free space of 50–60 cm above the burner opening for the flame. |
| D | No specific floor distance requirements. Ensure the burner is placed on solid materials and is positioned horizontally. |
A, B, C, D refer to the recommended minimum measurements.
| Ref. | Material and Safety Measures |
|---|---|
| 1 | Must be completely solid and fireproof. Suitable materials include bricks, slate, stone, cement, ceramics, or metal (stainless steel recommended). Do NOT use MDF, gypsum boards, or fibreboards. |
| 2 | Be extra observant with curtains and similar items that are moveable by the wind. Ensure that elements such as these will not get near the open fire and maintain a security distance of a minimum of 1 metre from the bioethanol fire. |
Whilst these guidelines provide a general framework, always adhere to the manufacturer's specific installation instructions included with your burner.
Find our selection of bioethanol burners for DIY fireplace projects here.
Safety Distances for Pre-Fabricated Bioethanol Fires
Pre-fabricated bioethanol fires, including wall-mounted and freestanding fireplaces, are designed for quick and straightforward installation. Given the vast array of models available, always consult the individual manual for detailed installation and safety instructions.
Wall-Mounted Bioethanol Fireplace Safety Distances
When installing a wall-mounted bioethanol fireplace, ensure a minimum clearance of 100 cm above the burner (A). If the burner is enclosed within a box surround, this can be reduced to 60–70 cm (B). Whilst side clearance is generally not required, it is advisable to maintain a few centimetres of space from other materials (C).
Pay particular attention to curtains and similar items that can move in a draught — these should be kept at least 1 meter away from the fireplace at all times (D). Most wall-mounted bioethanol fireplaces can be installed on any wall type, as long as the wall can support the weight. Fireplaces that require heat protection typically come with a backplate or special mounting brackets to protect the wall.
Freestanding Bioethanol Fireplace Safety Distances
These guidelines apply to both freestanding bioethanol fireplaces and tabletop bioethanol fireplaces.
The required safety distance around freestanding bioethanol fires varies depending on the model and whether the flame is enclosed within the fireplace body. For most models, the flame is safely contained, so only a few centimetres of clearance is needed (A, D). For bio fires without a fully enclosed body, where the flame is more exposed, we recommend maintaining a safety distance of 60 cm from the burner to any flammable materials (C). As always, exercise caution with curtains and items that can be moved by a draught.
A safety height of 1 metre above the fire should always be maintained (B). This is particularly important for tabletop fires and any lamps or hanging objects above the fireplace. As always, exercise caution with curtains and items that can be moved by a draught.
