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Fireplace/Wood Stove Info.
A Thru Z Home Inspection, Inc.
Phone: (845)228-1237
Copyright © 2000-2010 A thru Z Home Inspection, Inc. All Right Reserved.
The information and recommendations contained here in are, to the best of A thru Z Home Inspection, Inc. knowledge and belief, are accurate and reliable. This document is offered in good faith. A thru Z Home Inspection, Inc. does not warrantee or guarantee accuracy, reliability, or completeness. It is the user's responsibility to satisfy himself as to the suitability and completeness of such information for his own particular use. We do not accept liability for any loss or damage that may occur from this information.
NYS. Licensed Home Inspector #16000005182
If the fireplace or wood stove will be installed on a combustible floor, build a non-combustible hearth to protect the floor underneath the unit and in front of the opening.
The hearth extension in front of the fireplace or wood stove needs to be made of noncombustible material. It should extend at least 16 inches in front of, and at least 10 inches beyond each side of the unit.
Equip the fireplace or wood stove with a built-in ash guard and spark-resistant screen, as well as metal or glass doors.
Before you select a location for your fireplace or wood stove, consider the normal traffic pattern through the room, the location of doors and windows, and any construction obstacles above and below the unit.
A corner might be the most economical location for your fireplace. Because of the slanted sides, a corner-installed fireplace takes up less floor space than one installed against a flat wall and projected into the room.
Do not install the wood stove closer than 36 inches to any unprotected combustible wall. The adjacent walls should never feel uncomfortably warm.
If you would like the wood stove to be closer than 36 inches to a wall, you may be able to reduce the clearance to 12 inches if you protect the wall with an approved, ventilated, non-combustible wall protector. Your insurance company may need to approve it as well. When installing the wall protector, space it out from the wall with screws and spacers. Make sure these spacers are placed so that they don't conduct heat directly into the wall stud.
Supply the fireplace or wood stove with air from outside the home. It's important that a combustion air inlet provide this outside air. Make sure the inlet damper is located above the snow level. Also make sure the combustion air inlet does not drop ashes, which could be hot, under your home.
Determine what type of stovepipe will be connected to your wood stove. It should be a double-wall steel stovepipe, which means the chimney pipe is shielded by another stovepipe at least two inches larger in diameter. A triple-wall pipe is even safer. If you use a double or triple-wall pipe, or if the wall is protected by an approved, ventilated, non-combustible protector, place the stovepipe at a minimum of 9 inches from the wall.
It's important that your fireplace/wood stove flue pipe extends higher than all other combustion pipes and vents on your home's roof. The chimney must be at least 3 feet higher than that roof, and at least 2 feet higher than everything else within a 10-foot radius.
The National Fire Protection Association also makes these installation recommendations for manufactured homes:
Wood stove chimneys and flues should be checked for creosote build-up and cleaned at least annually (more frequently depending upon use). Clearance to combustibles around wood stoves should be maintained at all times. If there is any doubt about the safety of a wood stove, contact the city building inspector immediately.
Fire places are all different, depending on manufacturer - always follow manufacturers instructions
ASHI CERTIFIED INSSPECTOR ID # 210605
Connecticut Home Inspector license # HOI.0000581.
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