A false chimney breast or media wall is one of the most striking ways to install a bio-ethanol cassette fire — creating a dramatic focal point in any room without the need for a real chimney, gas supply, or professional installation. But because bio-ethanol produces a real, open flame, the construction requirements are more specific than for an electric fire. Get it right from the start and you'll have a stunning, safe installation that will last a lifetime.
This guide covers everything you need to know about building a false chimney breast or media wall for an Ignis Smart Bio-Ethanol Cassette Fire.
Why Bio-Ethanol Requires Non-Combustible Construction
Unlike an electric fire, a bio-ethanol cassette fire burns real fuel and produces genuine heat — up to 14.9kW in our largest models. That heat radiates outward into the surrounding structure, which means the materials you build with matter enormously. Using timber stud work, standard plasterboard, or MDF directly around a bio-ethanol fire is not safe and does not comply with manufacturer minimum clearance requirements or UK building regulations.
The good news is that non-combustible construction is straightforward and cost-effective. The key is knowing which materials to use and where.
Approved Non-Combustible Materials
For the immediate structure surrounding the fire opening, use non-combustible materials throughout:
- Steel stud framing — the standard choice for professional installers. Lightweight, fast to work with, and completely non-combustible.
- Thermalite or aerated concrete blocks — ideal for a solid, masonry-style build.
- Calcium silicate board — an excellent non-combustible alternative to standard plasterboard, available from most builders' merchants.
- Vermiculite board — used in fireplace linings, highly heat-resistant.
- Ceramic or porcelain tile — suitable for the face and surround of the opening.
- Natural stone or slate — premium option for the fascia and hearth area.
Standard plasterboard (even fire-rated variants) and MDF must not be used within the minimum clearance distances specified for your fire.
Ventilation: High and Low Vents Are Essential
This is the most commonly overlooked aspect of bio-ethanol fire installation — and the most important for safety.
Bio-ethanol combustion consumes oxygen and produces carbon dioxide and water vapour. In an enclosed or poorly ventilated space, oxygen levels can deplete. Your false chimney breast or media wall must incorporate adequate ventilation to allow fresh air to circulate around the fire at all times.
You need both a high vent and a low vent:
- Low vent — positioned at or near floor level. This allows fresh, oxygen-rich air to be drawn in towards the fire.
- High vent — positioned near the top of the structure, above the fire. This allows warm, combustion-depleted air to escape upward.
This creates a natural convection loop — cool air in at the bottom, warm air out at the top — keeping oxygen levels stable and the fire burning cleanly and safely.
Vent sizing: As a minimum, each vent should provide at least 550cm² of free air area. Larger fires with higher fuel consumption require proportionally larger vents. Vents can be finished with brushed steel or powder-coated grilles to maintain a premium aesthetic.
Minimum Clearance Distances to Combustible Materials
Your Ignis Smart Bio-Ethanol Cassette Fire technical documentation specifies minimum clearance distances that must be maintained between the fire and any combustible material in all directions: above, below, to the sides, and behind the unit.
As a general guide for Ignis Smart Bio-Ethanol Cassette Fires:
- Above the fire opening: minimum 400mm to any combustible material
- To the sides: minimum 200mm to any combustible material
- Below the fire: a non-combustible hearth extending at least 300mm in front of the fire opening
Always refer to the specific documentation supplied with your fire, as clearances vary between sizes. If you are installing a TV above the fire, ensure it respects both the clearance distances and the upward heat output of the unit.
Step-by-Step: Building the Structure
Step 1 — Plan your opening size
Refer to the minimum firebox opening dimensions for your chosen Ignis Smart Bio-Ethanol Cassette Fire size. These are listed in the specifications on each product page. The opening must be at least as wide, tall, and deep as the minimum stated.
Step 2 — Frame with steel stud
Build your primary frame using 70mm or 92mm steel stud and track. Frame the fire opening first, ensuring it is square and level.
Step 3 — Line with calcium silicate board
Fix calcium silicate board to the steel frame throughout the fire zone — the area within the minimum clearance distances. Beyond the clearance distances, standard plasterboard can be used for the remainder of the structure.
Step 4 — Install your vents
Cut your high and low vent openings before closing up the structure. Fix vent grilles flush to the surface and ensure vent openings are clear of any obstructions.
Step 5 — Finish the face
The face of your chimney breast can be finished in any non-combustible material within the clearance zone — tile, stone, polished plaster, or microcement all work beautifully. Beyond the clearance zone, standard finishes are fine.
Step 6 — Install the fire
Slide the Ignis Smart Bio-Ethanol Cassette Fire into the opening. Connect power for the ignition system, fill with bio-ethanol, and test before closing up any access panels.
A Note on Building Regulations
In most domestic situations, a false chimney breast housing a bio-ethanol fire does not require formal building regulations approval, as bio-ethanol fires are not classified as fixed combustion appliances in the same way as gas or solid fuel fires. However, we always recommend checking with your local authority if you are unsure, particularly for commercial or rental properties.
The Result
Done correctly, a false chimney breast or media wall for a bio-ethanol fire is one of the most impressive interior design statements you can make. Real flame. Real heat. No chimney. No gas. Just a stunning focal point that works in any room.
Browse the full Ignis Smart Bio-Ethanol Cassette Fire range to find the right size for your project — from 18" to 83", with remote control and optional WiFi as standard.