Direct vent fireplace

[Robert Jones]

I had a direct vent fireplace that while running, caused the wall above to become extremely hot. Everything I am reading states this is a normal reaction and not to worry. Just be sure not to mount the TV above it:) Anyone have a different experience/explanation? Is there a cure?

[Bain]

I see the same thing all the time and, while it seems wicked unsafe, I've never heard of any problems associated with it.

And . . . probably more than half of the fireplaces I come across have big-ass televisions above them.

[Robert Jones]

Amazing. The code states that the wall above the gas fireplace can be 117 degrees higher than the room temperature. That's roughly 180 degrees in an average room. I'd be sweating ballz!

[Bain]

I'm sure it depends upon the moisture content, but white book-page paper doesn't combust until it reaches 451 degrees (With a nod to Kurt Vonnegut).

I imagine the paper in drywall is somewhat similar, so 180 degrees is well below its ignition point.

[Chad Fabry]

Dude, Ray Bradbury

[Robert Jones]

A shout out to Kurt Vonnegut! Who would have thought! "Be a Sadist. No matter how sweet and innocent your leading characters, make awful things happen to them?in order that the reader may see what they are made of."

Pretty sure the director of the movie Reservoir Dog's subscribed to his theory above!

[Bain]

Dude, Ray Bradbury

Which is why I shouldn't eat dinner, check out the news, and tap, tap, tap on TIJ with fried synapses after a ten-hour day.

But I'm sure it will happen again . . .