Designing Safety into Commercial Fireplaces

Fireplace Safety in a Commercial Public Space
Safety is obviously of primary importance in any fireplace installation and the continued use of the unit. But it may be of even greater concern to architects and designers whose projects include commercial buildings open to the public. 

Consider this scenario: 
A young family is checking into a nice hotel and passing through the lobby on the way to the reservation desk. In this beautiful lobby, a long tunnel gas fireplace dominates and defines the space, providing elegance and warmth, both literally and figuratively. 

As the couple checks in, their young toddler, suddenly fascinated by the new sight of a bright, beautiful flame at her eye level, wanders over and places her palms directly on the fireplace glass. 

It’s hardly a far-fetched possibility. In fact, one might expect it to happen almost daily. A safety issue? Definitely. A liability issue? Most certainly. It’s a situation better known to lawyers as an “attractive nuisance.” 

Can safety be ensured and potential liability avoided while still using the lighted fireplace in a way that accomplishes all the design goals that were intended? 

Yes. It absolutely can. 

Because fireplace glass can reach temperatures of almost 1000 degrees F, the American National Standards Institute now requires glass temperatures to be 172 degrees F or less. While that limit is safer than before, it’s still not safe enough for our hypothetical (or not-so-hypothetical) toddler. 

However, Ortal has applied its engineering resources to creating solutions that will allow you to confidently continue to include gas fireplaces in your commercial projects without sacrificing aesthetics. 

Ortal Heat Barriers
Rather than use a fireplace as a purely ornamental fixture, two Ortal solutions offer both warmth and safety. 

Solution 1: 
Double Glass Heat Barrier
Most Ortal Fireplaces, including corner and three-sided units, can be installed with our revolutionary double glass heat barrier. Instead of one pane of glass, there are two, separated by a thin ventilation layer. Small, silent fans at the bottom of the unit bring air into the ventilation space so that the outermost layer remains cool to the touch. Meanwhile, the fans move the extra heat into the room for warmth. 

Solution 2: 
Micro-Mesh Screen Heat Barrier
With Ortal stand-alone models, it’s not possible to install the double glass barrier. For those units, we designed and patented a micro-mesh screen that maintains a frameless look while keeping the outer screen at a safe temperature. Glass brackets and hidden attachment points keep the screen tight and virtually invisible.

Need Further Assurance?
Proper installation is essential to ensure that a fireplace is safe. If you need any help whatsoever, get in touch. Our A&D consultants will be happy to work with you for free. They’re available to meet with you virtually or on-site to make sure that you have the features you need for safety and that the installation meets all the necessary requirements. Just click here to fill out a form that will let us know who you are and how we can help. We’ll quickly get in touch and help in any way we can.