nicenswift

Hi, We have been looking at swapping our old gas fire which is a 20 year old brass effect coal type that is installed into the wall with a standalone Gas Burning Stove. We have a pre cast flue with the tile vent on the roof and a local company found a fire that will work with this type of flue but they have said that a stove cannot be standalone on a hearth and can only be fitted with a surround and that would mean building out into the lounge But I have seen plenty of pictures on the web with gas and wood burning stoves just standing on there own with a pipe going into the wall and not surrounded. He said it was the law to stop people falling onto it. Is this the case ? Many thanks for any advice. Nicenswift