PREFABRICATED FIREPLACES OR STOVES - PERMIT and CODE REQUIREMENTS

St. Louis County Department of Public Works
                                      Division of Code Enforcement

                     PREFABRICATED FIREPLACES OR STOVES
                              PERMIT and CODE REQUIREMENTS

A mechanical permit is required for the installation of new prefabricated fireplaces and stoves.
An integrated building/mechanical permit is required when the installation includes framing work.
This guideline is intended to provide the homeowner/contractor with the basic information needed to
apply for the mechanical permit or integrated building/mechanical permit to install a prefabricated
fireplace or stove.

The prefabricated fireplace or stove installer/contractor must be a registered financial responsible
(bonded and insured) or licensed contractor authorized to do mechanical work. Homeowners performing
their own work may obtain a permit to do mechanical and/or building work within their own dwelling with
no requirement to be registered or licensed.

1. Fill out and sign the appropriate application for permit. Permit type depends on the scope of work as
   indicated above.

2. Provide one (1) copy of the manufacturer’s installation instructions. The unit shall be certified or
   tested by a nationally recognized and approved testing agency and bear that agency's label. If the
   manufacturer’s installation instructions are on file with St. Louis County Public Works or readily
   accessible online, then it is not necessary to provide them with the permit application. A copy of the
   manufacturer’s installation instructions must be maintained available to the St. Louis County inspector
   at the job site during installation and until completion of final inspection.

3. Submit a scaled and/or dimensioned floor plan of the room (also include adjacent rooms that are
   open to this room) where the fireplace or stove is to be installed indicating the following:
     a. Location and size of the fireplace or stove within the room. Dimensions from the two nearest
        walls.
     b. Manufacturer’s name and model number of the fireplace or stove.
     c. Hearth size and materials. Hearth and hearth extension to be per manufacturer’s installation
        instructions or to be a minimum of 4” of solid masonry with the hearth size required based on
        the size of the firebox opening:
        6 sq. ft. of opening or more = 20” minimum hearth extension with 12” each side
        Less than 6 sq. ft. of opening = 16” minimum hearth extension with 8” each side
     d. Include a general note statement in the drawing that the Installation Instructions are to be
        available at the project site for the Inspector’s use.

     Refer to the attached sample drawing for typical information and requirements that need to be
     indicated on your floor plans.

        In addition to the items above, submit the following items if framing/building work is involved:

4.      Section of the fireplace or stove showing the entire installation from the supporting floor up to the
        chimney termination above the roof. Show the following:
                  A. Indicate the clearance to combustibles from the firebox opening as required by the
                      manufacturer’s installation manual.
                  B. Flue type, size, and clearance (flue to be enclosed with drywall or equivalent
                      materials on all floors above the floor where the unit is located, but may be exposed
                      in the attic).
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C. Firestops (at ceiling of each floor and attic).
                  D. Height of chimney above roof. (Unless manufacturer’s instructions allow otherwise,
                     chimneys must extend above the roof a minimum of 3 feet and 2 feet higher than
                     any portion of the building or roof within 10 feet).

       Refer to the attached sample drawing for typical information and requirements that need to be
       indicated on your floor plans.

5.     Four (4) copies of a site plan must be submitted with your application if the firebox and/or chimney
       are located on the exterior of the building. (Check with St. Louis County Zoning Review if
       unincorporated or with the municipality regarding setback requirements from the lot line)

6.     Issuance of a building permit for the project does not authorize construction access to the work
       site. If the existing driveway entrance to the site is unavailable for construction access, the
       owner/contractor shall apply for a permit to construct a temporary entrance from the owner of the
       Right-of-Way.

For additional information regarding the criteria in this handout, please contact:

                                                           Contact
       General Information                                 (314) 615-5184
       Permit Processing                                   (314) 615-7155
       Zoning Review                                       (314) 615-3763
       Mechanical Plan Review                              (314) 615-5485
       Right-of-Way Owner
              State                                        (888) 275-6636
              County                                       (314) 615-8517
              Municipality                                 Municipality

Applicants should check with their local fire district for any additional requirements they may have.

NOTE: Only tested and listed decorative gas-fired log appliances and gas-fired log lighters are
permitted to be installed in prefabricated fireplaces. The fireplace must also be listed to allow for the
installation of the decorative gas-fired log appliance. See homeowner/contractor guideline titled “Gas
Log Lighters” and “Decorative Gas Log Appliances” for additional information. [CAUTION: It is
Public Works understanding that there are not very many gas-fired log lighters on the market
that have been tested and approved resulting in being listed and labeled by an approved
agency. As a result there may only be a few, if any, available in this area.]

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