Specifying Electric Fireplaces for Commercial Projects

Last reviewed: October 1, 2026

Written for designers, architects, and builders specifying fireplaces on commercial and multi-unit work rather than for a single home.

Why electric dominates commercial hearth specification

On a commercial project, an electric fireplace removes an entire category of coordination work. There is no gas line to route, no combustion venting to penetrate the envelope, no flue, no combustion air, and no gas-fitter on the critical path. The fireplace becomes an electrical rough-in and a framed opening.

That is the whole argument, and it is a strong one. It also means the specification decisions shift almost entirely to dimensions, power, and finish coordination.

What to confirm before specifying

Power

Confirm voltage and circuit requirements early. Some units are 120V plug-in; others are hardwire-ready and some support 240V for higher heat output. This determines whether the electrical drawings need a dedicated circuit at the fireplace location, and it is the item most often caught late.

Framing depth

Depth varies enormously across the category. Slim built-ins can sit in roughly 6 to 7 inches; deeper architectural units need 11 inches or more. In a project where the wall assembly is already fixed, depth eliminates more models than any other constraint.

Viewing configuration

Be precise about the difference between three-sided and see-through. Three-sided means viewable from the front and both ends within one space. See-through means transparent through a partition between two separate spaces. These are different products, and the distinction changes the wall assembly entirely.

Finish clearances

Most premium built-ins are designed for finish material to run flush to the glass or to a defined lip. Confirm the clearance requirement for combustible and non-combustible finishes before the millwork or tile is detailed.

Service access

This is the one that gets forgotten. Plan how the unit comes out if it needs service after the wall is finished. On a hotel or multi-unit project, a fireplace that requires demolition to service is a long-term liability.

Heat expectations

Specify electric fireplaces as ambiance with supplemental heat, not as a heating appliance. A typical unit produces around 5,000 BTU at 120V, which is meaningful in a small room and negligible in a lobby. The mechanical design should not be counting on it.

For outdoor-rated installations the point is stronger: heat dissipates too quickly outdoors for an electric fireplace to warm the space in any measurable way. Specify it for the visual effect and provide heat another way.

Series worth knowing for commercial work

For multi-unit and hospitality at scale: the Sustainable Hearth Signal Series gives a frameless architectural look with single-sided, corner, or three-sided flexibility from one firebox, at a cost that scales across many units. Available up to 80 inches.

For lobbies and focal-point installations: the TrueFlame 150 3DX uses a 4K LCD flame display rather than an LED effect, which holds up under the scrutiny a lobby fireplace receives. The Modern Flames Orion Multi reaches 120 inches for large-format work.

For partitions and room dividers: the Optic 50 is a purpose-built see-through unit.

For shallow wall assemblies: the E-FX Slim Line Series fits a 7-inch cabinet depth, and the Landscape Pro Slim is shallower still at a 6-inch framed rough opening.

For covered outdoor areas: Remii and Amantii both offer indoor/outdoor rated models. Our outdoor collection covers what is rated for it.

Our commercial collection gathers the units most often specified for these applications.

Coordination sequence that works

1. Fix the viewing configuration with the design intent, since it drives the wall assembly.
2. Confirm available framing depth against the wall type.
3. Select the model, then pull the model-specific cut sheet.
4. Issue rough opening and electrical requirements to the framing and electrical trades from that cut sheet, not from series-level literature.
5. Detail finish clearances with the millwork or tile package.
6. Confirm service access before the wall closes.

Frequently asked questions

Do electric fireplaces require venting in commercial installations?

No. Electric fireplaces produce no combustion byproducts and require no flue, venting, or combustion air, which is a large part of why they are specified on commercial projects.

Can an electric fireplace be used as a heat source in a commercial space?

It should be specified as ambiance with supplemental heat only. Typical output is around 5,000 BTU at 120V, which is not meaningful in a large space, and outdoor installations provide effectively no usable heat.

What is the difference between a three-sided and a see-through fireplace?

A three-sided fireplace is viewed from the front and both ends within a single room. A see-through fireplace is transparent through a partition and visible from two separate spaces. They require different wall assemblies.

What is the shallowest framing depth available?

Slim built-in series can fit in roughly 6 to 7 inches of depth, depending on the model. Deeper architectural units typically require 11 inches or more.

What should be confirmed before issuing framing dimensions?

Use the model-specific cut sheet rather than series-level literature, since corner and three-sided configurations have different rough opening requirements from single-sided ones.

Final thought

The fireplace is rarely the hard part of a commercial project. What causes problems is discovering the depth requirement after the wall type is fixed, or the circuit requirement after the electrical is roughed. Pull the cut sheet early and most of the risk disappears.