Always follow the manufactures instructions or the most stringent code for
installing a wood stove
Clearances
A minimum of 36" is required from all sides and top of a wood stove,
unless stated different by the manufacture
Floor clearance
An installation where the floor is protected by 2" masonry placed
on top of a sheet of 24 gauge steel unless state otherwise by the manufacture
and approved by the local authority
Protective apron needs to extend at least 18" beyond the base of
the stove
Stove pipe
18 inch clearance minimum
When going through combustible materials you need a ventilated thimble
and the thimble must be a minimum of 12" larger than the flue pipe,
unless approved by the local authority having jurisdiction
Remember to install your damper near the stove to help regulate the
fire
If you have a long vertical rise in your stove pipe it would be advisable
to install a second damper normally open, that could be closed down
to dampen down the fire in case of a chimney fire
All joints of the stove pipe most be secured with screws to prevent it
from coming apart
Have the chimney inspected by the fire department or other qualified person
that has the authority to approve the chimney
Adequate ventilation
Ensure that your house has proper ventilation for the stove per manufactures
installation instructions
Fire places
Do not allow things to hang from the mantle as they may catch fire
Make sure that safety screens or glass doors are in place at all times
to prevent sparks from fling to combustibles
Check with your local authorities on the size of the apron in front
of the fireplace
An apron area that is to small will allow sparks, embers or coals
to fly to combustibles and ignite them
Make sure that you have a log rack in good condition in you fire place
to ensure that logs do not roll out of your fireplace
Do not over load a log rack, as it will allow logs to roll out of your
fire place
Storing you wood and fuels
Keep your wood kindling away from sparks
Ensure that the fuels are at the minimum safe distance or greater allowed
by your stove for combustibles (36"+) Depending on your stove
What to burn for wood
Wood that has been dried for 6 months to a year is usually dry enough
to burn, green or fresh cut wood allows build up of creosote and will
increase your chance of a chimney fire and decrease the efficiency of
your stove
Creosote burns very hot and can easily ignite by a spark even when
the stove has just been lit
What not to burn
Trash
Pressure treated lumber
Liquid fuels
Starting the fire
Do not use liquid fuels, they may flash burning you or other combustibles
near by or they may cause a chimney fire, anyway you look at it you may
loose
Open the dampers enough to allow air to enter and exhaust gases to exit
through the flue
Use a small amount of crumpled paper and small dry sticks of wood to
start the fire
Once a draft has been started you may add larger pieces of wood
Use the dampers to control the fire remember the exhaust damper must
be open enough to allow the exhaust to escape with out difficulty
Handling the fire
Use glove to handle hot stove items, such as door handles
Use the proper tools to handle to wood and coals
Cleaning
Use a metal bucket
You should clean your stove frequently to prevent materials from falling
out of the stove as well as improve efficiency
Always make sure the fire is out when you clean your stove
Make sure that the bucket is not on or over combustible materials
Clean as much residue as possible from the combustion chamber, this
will decrease the chances of a chimney fire as well as improve your efficiency
Do not over fill your bucket
Remove all ashes to outdoors and away from any combustible materials
such as your house, leaves etc.
Make sure you also clean your smoke stack frequently and ensure it is
reinstalled properly
Chimney fires
How do I know if I might have a chimney fire
If you hear a roar in the area of the chimney, you may have a fire
If your flue pipe is glowing, red you probably have a chimney fire
Sparks and or flames coming from your chimney may indicate that
you have a fire
Smoke coming into your house from openings or cracks in the wall
may be a chimney fire or your house may be on fire
Do not assume that because the fire is in your chimney that it can not
burn your house down
Chimney fires extend to the structure through cracks in the chimney
Over heat masonry radiating heat to combustibles causing them to
ignite
Sparks and other burning debris may fall fly out of the top of your
chimney and onto combustible parts of the structure
Some part of the smoke exhaust system failing due to the heat, such
as the flue pipe, or masonry
If the fire has extended to the structure follow your fire evacuation
plan
If the fire has not extended to the structure, close the dampers to
the stove to reduce oxygen flow to the fire
Call the fire department and have them extinguish the first
After the fire
You need to have the chimney cleaned and inspected
Have the stove and the flue pipe inspected if you have a metalbestos
chimney it probably will need replacement
Metalbestos chimneys need to be checked frequently for burn through, corrosion
and structural integrity
