 | Many homes in
the United States use wood stoves as a primary and secondary source of heat.
It is important that such items and associated flues and chimneys operate
properly and are well maintained, as they may pose a fire hazard.
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| Wood stoves are very popular in rural areas. In some regions of the United
States, such as Colorado, the use of wood stoves is regulated based on the
air quality.
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| The following information details the issues surrounding wood stoves, and
provides some helpful tips that you may wish to consider and apply in your
own home.
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Clearance to combustibles:
| The single largest concern with a wood stove is its clearance to
combustibles. Many stoves are often installed by the homeowner or
unqualified people who violate the required clearances. Manufacturer’s
specifications should be obtained in order to verify that the clearances
are indeed accurate and comply with regulations.
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| A common mistake that installers make is they assume that if a
fireproof material is installed between the wood stove and combustible
materials, they are safe. What they fail to realize is that heat will
conduct through ceramic tile, asbestos boards, metal or other materials
that are fireproof.
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| When a combustible material, such as wood, is exposed to heat for
extended periods of time, the wood fibers break down and the kindling
temperature is significantly reduced. Soft woods have a kindling
temperature of approximately 700 to 800 degrees. However, when the wood
fibers are broken down into an ash, the kindling temperature may be
reduced to as little as 350 to 450 degrees.
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Burning Hazard:
| Wood stoves are very hazardous to young children for obvious reasons.
U.S. Inspect recommends a screening or children’s fence at or around the
stove to protect small children.
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Hearths:
| Hearths for wood stoves must be the same as they are on fireplaces.
(See masonry fireplaces.) |
| Common Defects |
| Sharing a flue with a fireplace of another device |
| Improper clearance to combustibles |
| Routing a stovepipe through an interior wall without proper clearance
to combustibles |
| Unsupported stovepipes |
| Sags in stovepipes
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