# Fireplace Mantle question **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [December 29, 2009, 8:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fireplace-mantle-question/77668 "2009-12-29T08:19:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 8:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fireplace-mantle-question/77668/1 "2009-12-29T08:19:24Z")
I have a gas fireplace, with a mantle/shelf above it that sticks out about 12" from the wall. When I run the gas fireplace the bottom of the mantle gets extremely hot, and the top of it gets pretty warm. I have a stereo speaker up here, some pictures and such and was looking for a way to keep it from getting hot. Also I don’t want it to kill the paint and cause damage to the wood. Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![tpgsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/tpgsr/32/7374_2.png) [@tpgsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/tpgsr)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 8:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fireplace-mantle-question/77668/2 "2009-12-29T08:29:05Z")
do you have a fan built in to your fireplace so that it is blowing the heat out instead of just letting it rise? ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 8:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fireplace-mantle-question/77668/3 "2009-12-29T08:30:16Z")
Don’t use the fireplace? Ceramic insulator on the bottom? Cooling fan? Open a window? I doubt you’ll damage any of that stuff though. Just don’t put candles up there because they’ll melt, or powered electronics that could overheat. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blue_eyed_devil/32/7292_2.png) [@Blue\_Eyed\_Devil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blue_Eyed_Devil)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 8:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fireplace-mantle-question/77668/4 "2009-12-29T08:38:58Z")
IIRC my mantle had to be 18" above the opening, you might want to make sure yours was installed according to spec. ---
**Author:** ![vq30de](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/9dc877/32.png) [@vq30de](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/vq30de)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 10:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fireplace-mantle-question/77668/5 "2009-12-29T10:22:40Z")
Fwiw §2111.12 Mantel and trim. Woodwork or other combustible materials shall not be placed within 6 inches (152 mm) of a fireplace opening.\* Combustible material within 12 inches (305 mm) of the fireplace opening shall not project more than 1/8 inch (3.2 mm) for each 1-inch (25 mm) distance from such opening. \* This gives some indication of where the mantel should be. This is nys building code, so you should really use this as a guideline… ---
**Author:** ![vq30de](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/9dc877/32.png) [@vq30de](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/vq30de)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 10:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fireplace-mantle-question/77668/6 "2009-12-29T10:22:55Z")
DOUBLE POST ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2009, 11:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fireplace-mantle-question/77668/7 "2009-12-29T11:07:40Z")
The mantle is easily a foot above it. Probably more like 2 feet… Also the style of the gas unit allows for use with the chimney damper closed which sends the heat into the house. I have a fireplace guard there so the cat doesnt dive in. My dad said to get one like this and fasten the upper part with some metal so it forces the heat out more [![](http://www.brick-anew.com/skin1/images/child%20guard.jpg) ](http://www.brick-anew.com/skin1/images/child%20guard.jpg) but its kinda fugly looking so the other option would be to make a hood like this [http://www.willowcreekforge.com/wp-content/gallery/custom/fireplace\_guard.jpg](http://www.willowcreekforge.com/wp-content/gallery/custom/fireplace_guard.jpg)