3 questions for an upcoming Mass heater build

1. I realize the reason most people's exhaust pipe is next to the burn barrel is to heat the exhaust pipe and helped create the thermal siphon however I'm wondering if it's possible to have a remote exhaust pipe if you will where the exhaust pipe is simply far away from the burn barrel in order to better suit the space available and I do intend to be using stratification Chambers

2. I see a lot of people using fire brick as the inner wall material for their burn Chambers looking at that online firebrick costs an arm and a leg is there a cheaper material that will stand up to the Heat

3. Last but not least unfortunately for lack of a better option my build is going to be on a wood floor I'm quite the handyman and will be reinforcing subfloor regardless I need to insulate it from the Heat covering the entire floor and crazy expensive firebreak seems impractical any suggestions as to something fairly thin that will insulate the Heat over a large area for a decent price

Good Morning Ryan:
Let me try to answer your questions.
#1) Put your chimney wherever you want. If your doing bells then you could utilize a sliding chimney pipe that you raise up to start the draft and the lower down near the bottom of your bell after it is burning strong.
#2)Your choices for construction of the core are casting a firclay/perlite core or using firebricks or here's the best but also the most expensive ,ceramic fiber boards for your core and ceramic fiber blanket for your riser.
#3) To protect your wood floor is easy.  You are already supporting the floor underneath for the extra weight.
Lay plain red brick flat on your floor (you could put down foil first if scratches are a concern) space those bricks so air can circulate but they provide a solid support for the 1/2" hardy backerboard  that you lay on top of the bricks.  Some folks put foil down on the hardy board as well but I doubt the necessity of that. Build your rmh on top of this.

Great advice especially the sliding exhaust pipe that's a genius trick I had not thought of

Hi Ryan,

First off I hope everything goes smooth with you project.  Second further to Thomas great suggestions,  One consideration is your chimney itself.  If if is a tall chimney and is insulated it should draw well by itself with just slightly above the ambient temperature.  In Erica and Ernie's book they increase the rule of thumb for allowable length of bench run by 10 feet (if memory serves me correct, may be 15), so the same thing would be true with your build.  A good drawing chimney will cover a multitude of ills.  As for heat shielding.  You might also try a  piece of sheet metal maybe 1/16' thick above the bricks as it will spread the heat so you don't have any hotspots to deal with and the brick layer that Thomas suggests will then protect the floor from the spread heat on the sheet metal.  Probably overkill but something to consider.

Sincerely,

Ralph

Thanks again can anyone provide a link to the most recomended fire bricks/ ceramic fiber? As the ones i keep finding have a lot of mixed rewiews i dont want to wind up with a cheap off brand that fails a RMH is a lot of work and i dont wana have to do the same one twice

Hey Ryan;    Ebay)    Look for Morgan super wool plus, that's the non hazardous ceramic blanket.  They offer really long or really short pieces , just ask for a quote on the length you need.

Ceramic board,  I bought there as well.  I bought from 2 suppliers and I did notice a small quality difference but not enough to be concerned.

Ceramic products and a few split firebrick make for a kick ass rocket !
Check out this post.
https://permies.com/t/95849/Working-Morgan-Superwool-ceramic-blanket

Hey Ryan;    Look for a masonry supply house.  I know your in the U.P.  and it will mean driving...  but that will be the place to buy true firebrick, chances are they will also sell fire clay something else you will be wanting.

Im not in the U.P. im 30 min south of trav city...close enof lol but yes ill look into this asap thanks again for the help