Introduction to Factory Built Fireplaces
A factory built fireplace is a firebox, its insulating system and its chimney, made entirely of factory made parts designed to be installed without the need of site fabrication. Other common terms for "factory built fireplace": prefab fireplace, and zero clearance fireplace.
These products have been on the Canadian market for more than 40 years, manufacturers have incorporated many design changes into the present generation of factory built fireplaces. These include new combustion systems, glass air wash systems, sealed ceramic glass doors, advanced refractory components and heat recovery systems. The range of choice and design in factory built fireplaces is expanding rapidly.
These products have been on the Canadian market for more than 40 years, manufacturers have incorporated many design changes into the present generation of factory built fireplaces. These include new combustion systems, glass air wash systems, sealed ceramic glass doors, advanced refractory components and heat recovery systems. The range of choice and design in factory built fireplaces is expanding rapidly.
Factory Built Fireplace Certification
Standard for Factory Built Fireplaces in Canada
The test standard for factory built fireplaces is ULC-S610, and to be valid, the testing and certification must be done by an accredited laboratory. In Canada, the agencies that test and certify (or list) factory built fireplaces are Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada and Warnock Hersey Professional Services Ltd.
Factory built fireplaces are tested and listed as a complete system. This includes the chimney and all other components. Each factory built fireplace is certified for installation with a specific make and model of chimney and other components that make up the complete system. Only parts that have been tested and listed for use for your exact fireplace may be used.
Substitution of partsfrom one unit to another is often not acceptable and can be dangerous. Only parts that have been tested and listed for use with the applicable make and model may be used. If there is ever any uncertainty, contact the manufacturer, the Authority Having Jurisdition, your local Chimney Sweep or Canadian Chimney for assistance.
Factory built fireplaces are tested and listed as a complete system. This includes the chimney and all other components. Each factory built fireplace is certified for installation with a specific make and model of chimney and other components that make up the complete system. Only parts that have been tested and listed for use for your exact fireplace may be used.
Substitution of partsfrom one unit to another is often not acceptable and can be dangerous. Only parts that have been tested and listed for use with the applicable make and model may be used. If there is ever any uncertainty, contact the manufacturer, the Authority Having Jurisdition, your local Chimney Sweep or Canadian Chimney for assistance.
History of ULC-S610
The following is a sequence of the history of the ULC-S610 standard in Canada.
ULC-S610-1974
No information availableULC-S610-1976
http://www.scc.ca/en/standardsdb/standards/7334
Standard for Factory-Built Fireplaces
Status: Withdrawn
SDO: ULC
Language: English
Publish date: 1976-07-31
Supersedes: ULC-S610-1974
Superseded by: ULC-S610-1978
Keywords: PREFABRICATED PARTS, HEARTHS, SPECIFICATIONS, DEFINITIONS, INSTRUCTIONS FORUSE, DOMESTIC FACILITIES, MARKING, TESTING, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, CARAVANS
ICS Codes: 91.140.20;
Standard Number: ULC-S610-1976
ULC-S610-1978
No information available
CAN/ULC-S610-1979
http://www.scc.ca/fr/standardsdb/standards/2233
Standard for Factory-Built Fireplaces
Status: Canceled
OEN: ULC
Language: English
Publication date: 1979-12-01
Replaces: ULC-S610-1978
Replaced by: ULC-S610-M1983
Keywords: PREFABRICATED PARTS, HEARTHS, SPECIFICATIONS, DEFINITIONS, FORUSE INSTRUCTIONS, DOMESTIC FACILITIES, MARKING, TESTING, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, CARAVANS
ICS codes: 91.140.20;
Standard Number: ULC-S610-1979
ULC-S610-M1983
https://www.scc.ca/en/standardsdb/standards/7335
Standard for Factory-Built Fireplaces
Status: Withdrawn
SDO: ULC
Language: English
Publish date: 1983-03-31
Supersedes: ULC-S610-1979
Superseded by: CAN/ULC-S610-M87
Keywords: PREFABRICATED PARTS, HEARTHS, SPECIFICATIONS, DEFINITIONS, INSTRUCTIONS FORUSE, DOMESTIC FACILITIES, MARKING, TESTING, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, CARAVANS
ICS Codes: 91.140.20;
Standard Number: ULC-S610-M1983
CAN/ULC-S610-M87 (R2016)
https://www.scc.ca/en/standardsdb/standards/3466
Standard for Factory-Built Fireplaces
1. SCOPe
1.1 Part A of these requirements covers factory-built fireplaces capable of utilizing solid fuels commonly used in fireplaces and intended for provision of supplementary heating in buildings. These fireplaces are only intended for use with specified factory-built chimneys and associated parts.
NOTE: These fireplaces are not for use with masonry chimneys.
1.2 Part B of these requirements coves factory-built fireplaces capable of utilizing solid fuels commonly used in fireplaces and intended for, but not limited to, use in mobile homes. These fireplaces are only intended for use with specified factory-built chimneys and associated parts.
1.3 Fireplaces, as covered by this Standard, shall be capable of installation in accordance with the manufacturer's Installation Instructions as required herein.
Status: Withdrawn
SDO: ULC
Language: English
Publish date: 1987-04-01
Supersedes: ULC-S610-M1983
Superseded by: CAN/ULC-S610:2018
Keywords: PREFABRICATED PARTS, HEARTHS, SPECIFICATIONS, DEFINITIONS, INSTRUCTIONS FORUSE, DOMESTIC FACILITIES, MARKING, TESTING, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, CARAVANS
ICS Codes: 91.140.20;
Standard Number: CAN/ULC-S610-M87 (R2016)
CAN/ULC-S610:2018https://www.scc.ca/en/standardsdb/standards/29569
STANDARD FOR FACTORY-BUILT FIREPLACE SYSTEMS
1 SCOPE
1.1 These requirements cover factory-built fireplace systems capable of utilizing solid fuels, as specified by the manufacturer, and intended for provision of supplementary heating in buildings. These fireplace systems include a fire chamber assembly, chimney sections, a roof assembly, and other associated parts.
1.2 These factory-built fireplace systems are not for use with masonry chimneys.
1.3 Factory-built fireplace systems, as covered by this Standard, are intended for installation in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada, the Installation Code for Solid-Fuel Burning Appliances and Equipment, CSA B365, or the acts or regulations of the authority having jurisdiction.
Status: Standard
SDO: ULC
Language: English
Publish date: 2018-07-01
Supersedes: CAN/ULC-S610-M87 (R2016)
ICS Codes: 91.060.40; 97.100.30;
Standard Number: CAN/ULC-S610:2018
No information availableULC-S610-1976
http://www.scc.ca/en/standardsdb/standards/7334
Standard for Factory-Built Fireplaces
Status: Withdrawn
SDO: ULC
Language: English
Publish date: 1976-07-31
Supersedes: ULC-S610-1974
Superseded by: ULC-S610-1978
Keywords: PREFABRICATED PARTS, HEARTHS, SPECIFICATIONS, DEFINITIONS, INSTRUCTIONS FORUSE, DOMESTIC FACILITIES, MARKING, TESTING, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, CARAVANS
ICS Codes: 91.140.20;
Standard Number: ULC-S610-1976
ULC-S610-1978
No information available
CAN/ULC-S610-1979
http://www.scc.ca/fr/standardsdb/standards/2233
Standard for Factory-Built Fireplaces
Status: Canceled
OEN: ULC
Language: English
Publication date: 1979-12-01
Replaces: ULC-S610-1978
Replaced by: ULC-S610-M1983
Keywords: PREFABRICATED PARTS, HEARTHS, SPECIFICATIONS, DEFINITIONS, FORUSE INSTRUCTIONS, DOMESTIC FACILITIES, MARKING, TESTING, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, CARAVANS
ICS codes: 91.140.20;
Standard Number: ULC-S610-1979
ULC-S610-M1983
https://www.scc.ca/en/standardsdb/standards/7335
Standard for Factory-Built Fireplaces
Status: Withdrawn
SDO: ULC
Language: English
Publish date: 1983-03-31
Supersedes: ULC-S610-1979
Superseded by: CAN/ULC-S610-M87
Keywords: PREFABRICATED PARTS, HEARTHS, SPECIFICATIONS, DEFINITIONS, INSTRUCTIONS FORUSE, DOMESTIC FACILITIES, MARKING, TESTING, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, CARAVANS
ICS Codes: 91.140.20;
Standard Number: ULC-S610-M1983
CAN/ULC-S610-M87 (R2016)
https://www.scc.ca/en/standardsdb/standards/3466
Standard for Factory-Built Fireplaces
1. SCOPe
1.1 Part A of these requirements covers factory-built fireplaces capable of utilizing solid fuels commonly used in fireplaces and intended for provision of supplementary heating in buildings. These fireplaces are only intended for use with specified factory-built chimneys and associated parts.
NOTE: These fireplaces are not for use with masonry chimneys.
1.2 Part B of these requirements coves factory-built fireplaces capable of utilizing solid fuels commonly used in fireplaces and intended for, but not limited to, use in mobile homes. These fireplaces are only intended for use with specified factory-built chimneys and associated parts.
1.3 Fireplaces, as covered by this Standard, shall be capable of installation in accordance with the manufacturer's Installation Instructions as required herein.
Status: Withdrawn
SDO: ULC
Language: English
Publish date: 1987-04-01
Supersedes: ULC-S610-M1983
Superseded by: CAN/ULC-S610:2018
Keywords: PREFABRICATED PARTS, HEARTHS, SPECIFICATIONS, DEFINITIONS, INSTRUCTIONS FORUSE, DOMESTIC FACILITIES, MARKING, TESTING, RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, CARAVANS
ICS Codes: 91.140.20;
Standard Number: CAN/ULC-S610-M87 (R2016)
CAN/ULC-S610:2018https://www.scc.ca/en/standardsdb/standards/29569
STANDARD FOR FACTORY-BUILT FIREPLACE SYSTEMS
1 SCOPE
1.1 These requirements cover factory-built fireplace systems capable of utilizing solid fuels, as specified by the manufacturer, and intended for provision of supplementary heating in buildings. These fireplace systems include a fire chamber assembly, chimney sections, a roof assembly, and other associated parts.
1.2 These factory-built fireplace systems are not for use with masonry chimneys.
1.3 Factory-built fireplace systems, as covered by this Standard, are intended for installation in accordance with the National Building Code of Canada, the Installation Code for Solid-Fuel Burning Appliances and Equipment, CSA B365, or the acts or regulations of the authority having jurisdiction.
Status: Standard
SDO: ULC
Language: English
Publish date: 2018-07-01
Supersedes: CAN/ULC-S610-M87 (R2016)
ICS Codes: 91.060.40; 97.100.30;
Standard Number: CAN/ULC-S610:2018
History of Canadian Building Codes
The first National Building Code of Canada document was published in 1941, and other editions came out in: 1953, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1977, 1980, 1985, 1990 and 1995.
The history of the Canadian Building Code can be found on the National Research Council of Canada's website at https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evaluations-standards/codes-canada/codes-canada-publications/historical-editions-codes-canada-publications-1941-1998
and on wikipedia at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Building_Code_of_Canada
The history of the Canadian Building Code can be found on the National Research Council of Canada's website at https://nrc.canada.ca/en/certifications-evaluations-standards/codes-canada/codes-canada-publications/historical-editions-codes-canada-publications-1941-1998
and on wikipedia at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Building_Code_of_Canada
Fireplace Fire Display Design Options
The most common fireplace designs display one side of the fire for viewing. There are however fireplace models that reveal two opposite sides (transparent), two adjacent sides (corner), three sides (bay or peninsula) or four sides (island).
