Napoleon
Napoleon Ascent BX Fireplace, Direct Vent
Napoleon Ascent BX Fireplace, Direct Vent
A 36 inch direct vent natural gas fireplace with a glass front and a log set. The Ascent BX 36 has a 30 11/16″ × 23 11/16″ viewing area, and it draws its combustion air from outside and sends the exhaust back out, so the flame never uses the air in your room. Napoleon classes it as a decorative appliance, built for the look of the fire rather than as a source of heat.
Two pipes in one run: exhaust goes out through the inner pipe while fresh air comes in around it.
What you get
| Model | Napoleon BX36NTR, Ascent™ BX 36, natural gas |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Natural gas. The appliance is only for the gas on its rating plate, and a certified kit is required to change fuels. |
| Maximum input | Up to 26,000 BTU/hr on natural gas at 0 to 4,500 ft. Above 4,500 ft, Napoleon reduces the certified input by 4% for each additional 1,000 ft, unless your local authority says otherwise. This is a gas input rating, not a heat rating. |
| Gas supply pressure | 4.5 to 7 in. w.c. on natural gas, with a manifold pressure of 3.5 in. w.c. Napoleon notes the inlet pressure must not exceed 13 in. w.c. |
| Viewing area | 30 11/16″ × 23 11/16″ (width by height), from Napoleon's specification sheet |
| Overall size | 35″ W × 34 5/8″ H × 15 3/4″ D |
| Framing size | 35 1/2″ W × 35″ H × 16″ D |
| Enclosure height | Napoleon requires a minimum enclosure height of 50 1/2″ with a top vent exit and 44″ with a rear vent exit, measured from the appliance base. The space around and above the appliance must stay unobstructed. |
| Venting | Direct vent. 4″ exhaust, 7″ air intake. Up to 20 ft horizontal and up to 40 ft vertical. Rigid and flexible vent systems must not be combined. |
| Included | Safety barrier, glass door, log set and glowing embers |
| Not included | Vent pipe and termination, a wall switch, and any optional front, trim, panels, media, heat management kit or eFIRE kit |
| Where it can go | Approved for bathroom, bedroom and bed-sitting room installations. Certified for mobile home installation. |
| Optional upgrades | Heritage or Zen fronts, black trim kits, reflective porcelain or brick panels, a Universal Heat Management kit and the eFIRE Bluetooth kit |
| Warranty | Napoleon Gas Appliance President's Lifetime Limited Warranty. Terms are in the owner's manual. |
Add to your order
Everything below is listed in Napoleon's BX manual as a fit for the Ascent BX 36. Tick what you want and add it to your cart with the fireplace in one step.
Questions people ask us
What does direct vent mean for this fireplace?
It means the fireplace is sealed. Combustion air comes in from outside and exhaust goes back out through a two-in-one pipe, a 4″ exhaust inside a 7″ air intake. The flame does not use your room air, and you do not need a chimney.
Plan the route before you order. Napoleon allows up to 20 ft of horizontal vent and up to 40 ft of vertical vent, and does not allow rigid and flexible vent to be mixed. The pipe and termination are sold separately.
Is it a heater?
No. Napoleon's installation manual describes the Ascent BX 36 as a decorative product that is not a source of heat, and says it is not intended to burn solid fuel. The 26,000 BTU/hr figure is the most gas the burner can use, not a heating rating. Plan the heating of your room separately and choose this fireplace for the flame.
What comes with the fireplace?
Napoleon's manual shows a safety barrier, a glass door and a log set with glowing embers. Vent pipe, the termination, a wall switch and any decorative front, trim, brick or reflective panels, media kit, heat management kit or eFIRE kit are sold separately.
What ignition and controls does the BX36NTR have?
Napoleon's BX manuals and specification sheet describe the BX36NTRE and BX36PTRE electronic ignition models, and they do not list the BX36NTR by name. Ask us to confirm the ignition, controls and electrical needs for this exact model before you order, and we will get you an answer in writing.
Can I mount a TV above it?
Napoleon warns that high temperatures on the wall or in the air above the appliance can cause melting, discoloration or damage to decorations, a TV or other electronics. Its installation manual says TV applications were tested with the minimum enclosure and the maximum recess, and that you must check that the temperature at the TV stays within the TV maker's limits.
Napoleon says it is always recommended to use the optional heat management kit when you plan a TV above the fireplace, and you can add that kit above. It works with a top vent exit only. Send us your wall dimensions if you want a second opinion.
Can I put a mantel above it?
Yes, but the depth of the mantel sets how high it has to sit. Napoleon's chart in the mantel clearance section of the installation manual gives the minimum height for each mantel depth, and the same limits apply to anything combustible that sticks out beside the fireplace. Napoleon allows lower mantel heights only when its Universal Heat Management kit is installed.
What can I finish the wall with?
Napoleon says non-combustible finishing material must not project more than 4 in. from the face of the door. If you want it to project farther, the clearance at the sides, bottom and top grows by 2 in. for every extra inch. Where the manual calls for non-combustible finishing, use non-combustible board, ceramic tile or marble, not wood or drywall.
How tall does the enclosure need to be?
Napoleon requires a minimum enclosure height of 50 1/2″ for a top vent exit and 44″ for a rear vent exit, measured from the appliance base. The framing opening is 35 1/2″ W × 35″ H × 16″ D. Napoleon asks that the space around and above the appliance be left unobstructed.
What are my options for the front, trim and flame bed?
Napoleon lists Heritage and Zen fronts and two black trim kits for the Ascent BX 36, plus MIRRO-FLAME™ reflective porcelain panels, decorative brick panels, a Universal Heat Management kit and the eFIRE Bluetooth control kit. Ask us if you want to change the flame bed. Pick what you want in the add-ons below and it goes into your cart with the fireplace.
Is this the natural gas or the propane model?
This listing is the natural gas model. Napoleon says the appliance is only for the gas type on its rating plate and that it can be converted only with a certified kit, so tell us before you order if you plan to change fuels.
Where can I install it?
Napoleon approves the Ascent BX 36 for bathroom, bedroom and bed-sitting room installations and certifies it for mobile home installation. It must be installed by licensed professionals in line with Napoleon's installation manual and your local codes.
Goes with this
Manuals and warranty
Napoleon's terms cover the first 10 years at no charge for warranted parts, and from year 10 to life Napoleon supplies replacement parts at 50% of the current retail price. The fireplace must be installed by a licensed professional in line with Napoleon's instructions, and parts from other makers void the warranty. Registering is not required to make a claim, but keep your proof of purchase, model and serial number. Read the warranty section of the owner's manual for the full terms.
Read the warranty terms · Our warranty library · Register your fireplaceEvery document is kept on our site, so the link works when you need it. More are in our Napoleon manuals and documents.
A note on the photos. Napoleon's photography often shows optional media and trim, and its flame colors are shown by the lighting. What ships with the fireplace is listed in the What you get table, and anything else is sold separately.
Ask us about your install