FNR 100
forestry & natural resources
MARKETING AND UTILIZATION
Residential Wood Stove Installation
by
Daniel Cassens and Suzanne Badenhop
Wood, when readily available, is a cheap source of home fuel. Unfortunately, house fires can occur when stoves are improperly installed or carelessly operated and maintained.
This publication, using National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) standards, describes proper installation of radiant-type wood-burning room heaters in residential homes. These standards are the basis of many building codes. Recommendations will vary for furnaces, circulating stoves, cook stoves, and ranges. In all cases, you should consult local officials for details and use good sense during stove installation, operation, and maintenance. Some states recommend that you consult the fire marshall and your insurance agent as well as the local building permit office before installing a stove.
Most fires are caused when combustibles are too close to a hot stove, by the escape of hot gases or flames through a crack in a chimney, by conduction of heat from the stovepipe or stove to combustible material, or by sparks or coals escaping from a stove. Protection must be provided for combustible wall, ceiling, and floor materials near the stove and stovepipe as well as where the stovepipe passes through or near combustible walls, ceilings, and other materials.
Wall Protection
Stoves and stovepipes must be spaced out from walls and other combustible materials to prevent ignition. They should not be installed in alcoves, closets, or similar areas. Table 1 shows the minimum clearances from combustible walls and ceilings. Wood frame walls covered with dry wall are considered combustible.
If no wall protection is used, the common radiant-type stove or heater must be spaced out at least 36 inches from the wall. This distance may be reduced
considerably if asbestos millboard and/or 28 gage sheet metal is used for wall protection. A 1-inch or wider air gap between the wall and the asbestos mill-board or metal panel must be provided. The one-inch spacers must be of a non-combustible material. In addition, a 1 1/2 inch or wider air gap is needed at the bottom of the asbestos millboard or metal panel. Circulating air will cool the panel and wall behind it (Figure 1). At least 36 inches of clearance must be allowed between the top of a stove and an unprotected ceiling. Brick or stone provide little or no protection for a combustible wall since they are good conductors of heat. Therefore, by themselves, these are not suitable as wall protectors. When used, however, they, too, should be spaced out from the wall with a gap at the bottom to provide air circulation.
There is a simple test that will tell if you have provided enough clearance. Place your hand on the closest surface. If you can keep your hand there comfortably while the stove is operating, the location passes the test. If not, you need added protection.
Table 1. Minimum clearances and ceilings		from combustible walls and ceilings.*	
Type of protection	               Stove type Radiant               Circulating		Stovepipe
None	36"	12"	18"
1/4" asbestos millboard, spaced out 1"	18"	6"	12"
28 gage sheet metal, spaced out 1"	12"	4"	9"
28 gage sheet metal on 1/8" asbestos millboard, spaced out 1"	12"	4"	9"
*From National Fire Protection Association No. 89M, 1976.
PURDUE UNIVERSITY • COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47907