S-81
Wood Stove Installation Safety
--A Checklist—
Hugh J. Hansen, Extension Agricultural Engineer, Oregon State University
A nice, old-fashioned wood burning stove or free-standing fireplace can add a lot of charm and romance as well as warmth to today's home. If not installed and used properly, it can also add a serious fire hazard. To protect family and property, wood burning equipment must be properly in-
stalled and operated. Review this checklist before starting your first fire. Remember that ignition temperature of wooden structural members of a house is 500-600°F and temperatures within flues of wood-burning stoves can range from 1000 to 1400°F.
-Stove is sized for area to be heated--at least 2.6 square feet of firebox bottom for each 1,000 square feet of room area
-Stove does not have broken parts or large cracks that make it unsafe to operate
-Stove has sturdy legs providing at least 4 inches (preferably 8-10 inches) air space between stove bottom and floor
-Fire brick has been placed in bottom and/or sides of firebox if suggested by manufacturer -Stove is located on non-combustible floor or approved floor protection material (a sheet of 24 gauge sheet metal over 3/8 inch asbestos board or a layer of bricks or tile fit tightly into a frame offer suitable floor protection)
-Floor protection extends at least 6 inches (preferably 12 inches) out from sides and back of stove and 18 inches from front opening for loading wood -Top of stove is at least 36 inches below ceiling or sloped wall
-A minimum of 36 inches between unshrouded stove and any combustible material-if less, fire-resistant materials protect woodwork and other combustibles -Stove pipe is welded seam, 26 gauge or thicker -Total length of stove pipe does not exceed 10 feet -Stove pipe has only one 90° elbow between stove and chimney
-Stove pipe diameter is not reduced between stove firebox outlet and chimney flue -All stove pipe joints are tightly connected by approved rivets, screws or corrugated sleeve joints -Damper is installed in stove pipe near stove unless one is built into stove
-At least 18-inch clearance between stove pipe and ceiling, wall or other combustible material -Stove pipe does not pass through a floor, closet, concealed space or enter chimney in the attic -Multi-walled ventilated metal thimble is used where stove pipe goes through any interior wall -Stove pipe has continuous rise of at least 0.25 inch per linear foot toward chimney and enters chimney at a point higher than stove outlet to drain resins back to stove
-Stove pipe enters chimney horizontally through an approved thimble
-Stove pipe does not extend into chimney beyond flue lining
.....Air tight connection exists where stove pipe enters
thimble
.....Chimney cross sectional area is as large or preferably
25% larger than stove pipe
.....No other equipment as oil or gas heater or furnace
is connected to same chimney flue as wood stove
.....Chimney top extends at least 3 feet above highest
point where it passes through roof and at least 2 feet higher than any portion of building within 10 feet .....Chimney is in good repair with no loose bricks, masonry cracks, etc.
.....Chimney flue lining is not obstructed with soot deposits, creosote coating, bird nests, leaves, etc.
.....Class A prefabricated chimney approved for solid fuel
is used where a masonry chimney is not available or practical (never use a prefabricated metal chimney labeled ‘'gas'’ or "type B" for wood stoves)
.....Air vent or slightly opened window is available to
assure sufficient air supply for proper fuel combustion
.....-Screen is provided on open front type stoves that
expose open flame to room
.....Fire extinguisher-type ABC--is readily available.
.....Flammable liquids are never used to start or rekindle
a wood fire
.....Man-made logs are not used in wood burning stoves
unless specifically approved by stove manufacturer
.....Glass doors are not added to prefabricated metal
fireplaces unless unit is listed on nameplate by recognized testing laboratory as designed for such use and with suitable flue designed to withstand the higher flue temperatures generated by such practice
-....Metal container with tight-fitting lid (such as metal
garbage can) is available for ash disposal
-----Building inspector has issued permit and approved
installation
.....Insurance company has been notified of installation.
If you have questions regarding your wood stove installation, call your local fire or building department for assistance.
This fact sheet based on references from National Fire Protection Association, National Board of Fire Underwriters, Uniform Building Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, and Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc,
Reprinted from Western Regional Agricultural Engineering Service publication 65, August 1977.
Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, State of Indiana, Purdue University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating. H. G. Diesslin, Director, West Lafayette, Ind. Issued in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30,1914. It is the policy of the Cooperative Extension Service of Purdue University that all persons shall have equal opportunity and access to its programs and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex or national origin.