Getting ready to build a house and plan masonry heater first floor near living room wall with master suite on other side. There is a full basement underneath, and this would put a foundation 1/3 of the way into the basement space. Is it possible to support the heater via steel ceiling beams in the basement to keep the floor space open?
Heck yes?
Heck no?
Ask an engineer?
Thanks!
Short Answer: Heck yes / Ask an Engineer!
Below is a diagram from the Tulikivi installation manual that is somewhat relevant.
The important difference is that a custom built masonry heater needs to follow the perscriptive code so you need to build up with non-combustible material from the steel beams themselves and maintain the required 2" clearance to combustibles through the floor framing. You can create an angle iron pan and pour concrete, potentially layer structural insulation if that floor plane is insulated, and then start at subfloor. Definitely needs engineering as there is no perscriptive code for it.
Two documents to consult:
Good luck and feel free to follow up with additional questions!
Thank you so much!
Jerry N
This public forum is hosted by Firespeaking.
The opinions expressed in these forums are those of their authors and do not, in any case, represent the expressed opinion of Firespeaking, LLC.
The cost of maintaining these forums is offset by Firespeaking's Masonry Heater Hardware sales.
Check out our full catalog of firebox doors, oven doors, cooktops, cleanouts, ash doors, bypass dampers, and more.
Also check out the Masonry Heater Association of North America and consider joining to support advocacy for these technologies.
