Rocket Mass Heater 2nd Floor

I have a barn/garage and my work shop is on the second floor. What is required to safely install a rocket mass heater on the second floor? I was thinking a heat shield on the floor and design the combustion chamber off the floor. Any ideas to do this safely? Has this been done?

Howdy Rick, welcome to permies!
If you are going to have much "mass" you will have to be sure the structure can hold the weight.

Hello. I was hoping to use the concept without utilizing a large amount of mass. I was more worried about the fact it was on the second floor. I was going to add support structure below where the weight would be the greatest. I could just do a wood burning stove but really liked the idea of efficiency and less exhaust.

Rick, are you in the workshop often? Because i find, in my workshop, i need quick heat, so i have a big metal bell around a batch rocket, and barely any mass.

take a look at this video would work well for you floor situation...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hd36FQfiGY

Brian, metal is doomed.

for a heatshield place heatresitend insulation first ,then put bricks on thier side put 2 layers of brisk on that,creating a plateau, then you have a nice funnels ceeping your heatshield cool ,the toplayer is were you build your RMH on . If they (top layer bricks) crac those underneeth will hold them in place,this is how would do it