The Code of Practice for Residential Wood Burning Appliances (the Code) has been developed to enhance governmental approaches to air pollution caused by residential wood burning. The goal of the Code is to provide federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments with tools and information to support their wood smoke management.
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Pellet stove fire clearance distance specifications & manuals:
This article describes fire safety distances required between pellet stoves and the nearest combustible surface and the clearance distances between a pellet stove chimney or vent and other buidling features.
We include free downloads of PDF copies of a range of pellet stove instllation and maintenance manuals that add detail about pellet stove installation and clearances for various models.
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Pellet Stove Fire Clearance Distances
Question: pellet stove exhaust vent clearances
Illustration: an example exterior wall and roof eaves clearances for a pellet stove, adapted from the Harman pellet stove instructions. Harmon is cited in detail below.
[Click to enlarge any image]
Watch out: the fire clearances and exhaust vent clearances for your specific pellet stove are likely to vary from these examples.
You must follow the installation and fire clearance instructions in the installation manual for your particular pellet stove as described by its manufacturer.
Failure to follow those instructions risks a fire, injury or worse, death.
2018/10/13 Rick said:
Pellet stove instillation, how close can vent exhaust pipe be to outside pressure treated stairs running along my foundation?
Reply: example pellet stove fire and exhaust vent clearances
Rick
Using this example from Afton Bay pellet stove installation instructions, I'd guess that you need to be 12' from combustibles - that would include pressure treated stairs.
Watch out: in fact you need to see the specific vent clearances and other fire clearances given in the installation manual for your specific pellet stove brand and model and for the brand and model of its exhaust vent components if those are produced separately.
Below are more Pellet Stove exhaust vent clearance details compiled from several installation manuals.
- The exhaust vent pipe must extend at least 12” (300 mm) out past the exterior wall.
- Install a listed horizontal termination cap or if necessary install a 90° elbow and appropriate length of vertical venting.
A listed vertical vent cap is recommended however (if local codes allow) when the vent terminates several feet above ground level and there are no trees, plants, etc. within several feet a 45° elbow can be used as a termination. - The elbow must be turned down to prevent rain from entering
- The outside air pipe must terminate above the maximum snow line and below the exhaust vent outlet.
Shown above: Intertek Pellet Stove clearances for the Intertek Sarnac model.
Pellet Stove Chimney & Vent Clearance Distances, Installation & Operation Manuals
Above: Pellet stove sidewall vent terminal locations and clearance distances including from windows, doors, gas meter, roof eaves and ground surface, adapted from Harman, cited in detail below.
. [Click to enlarge any image]
These manuals give examples of pellet stove installation requirements including fire clearances and venting.
- Harman PELLET STOVE MANUAL [PDF] (2017) Harman, 352 Mountain House Road, Halifax, PA 17032 USA Website:
www.harmanstoves.com retrieved 2018/10/13, original source: https://downloads.hearthnhome.com/installManuals/XXV_I.pdf
Excerpts on fire clearances:
In addition, the following must be observed:
A. The clearance above grade must be a minimum of 12'.
B. The clearance to a window or door that may be opened mustbe a minimum of 48' to the side, 48' below the window/door,12' above the window/door. (with outside air installed, 9”to side and below)
C. A 12' clearance to a permanently closed window isrecommended to prevent condensation on the window.
D. The vertical clearance to a ventilated soffit located above theterminal within a horizontal distance of 2 feet (60 cm) from thecenter-line of the terminal must be a minimum of 18'.
E. The clearance to an unventilated soffit must be a minimum of12'.
F. The clearance to an outside corner is 11' from center of pipe.
G. The clearance to an inside corner is 12'.
H. A vent must not be installed within 3 feet (90 cm) above a gasmeter/regulator assembly when measured from the horizontalcenter-line of the regulator.
I. The clearance to service regulator vent outlet must be aminimum of 6 feet.
J. The clearance to a non-mechanical air supply inlet to thebuilding or the combustion air inlet to any other appliance mustbe a minimum of 48”.
K. The clearance to a mechanical air supply inlet must be aminimum of 10 feet. (with outside air installed, 6 feet)
L. The clearance above a paved sidewalk or a paved driveway located on public property must be a minimum of 7 feet.
M. The clearance under a veranda, porch, deck or balcony mustbe a minimum of 12 inches. (B. also)
NOTE: The clearance to vegetation and other exteriorcombustibles such as mulch is 36” as measured fromthe center of the outlet or cap. This 36” radius continuesto grade.
Certain Canadian and or Local codes or regulations may requiredifferent clearances.
A vent shall not terminate directly above a side-walk or paveddriveway which is located between two single family dwellingsand serves both dwellings.Only permitted if veranda, porch, deck, or balcony is fully open ona minimum of 2 sides beneath the floor.
See NFPA 211 for more installation clearance reductions whenusing outside air.NOTE: Where passage through a wall, or partition ofcombustible construction is desired, the installationshall conform to CAN/CSA-B365. (if in Canada) - Intertek Sarnac PELLET STOVE MANUAL [PDF] Intertek Warnock Hersey, Hudson Stove Works, 1871 Route 9H Hudson, NY 12534 U.S.A. Tel: 518-828-6363 , retrieved 2018/10/13, original source: http://www.hudsonriverstoves.com/pdf/saranac.pdf
- Intertek 5660-PELLET STOVE MANUAL [PDF] United States Stove Company, 227 Industrial Park Road, South Pittsburg, TN 37380 USA, Website: www.usstove.com
Tel: 1-800-750-2723, retrieved 2018/10/13, original source: https://www.usstove.com/Manuals/USSC/5660.pdf
Illustration: the Lopi AGP Pellet Stove from Travis Industries, cited in detail below
- Lopi AGP PELLET STOVE IO MANUAL [PDF] (2013) Travis Industries, Inc. 4800 Harbour Pointe Blvd. SW Mukilteo, WA 98275 USA , Website: www.travisproducts.com, retrieved 2018/10/13, original source: https://www.lopistoves.com/TravisDocs/100-01330.pdf
- Piazzetta P963-PELLET STOVE MANUAL [PDF] Groupo Pizzaetta, Via Montello 22, 31011 Casella D'Asolo (TV) Italy Tel. +39.04235271
Website: www.piazzetta.it E-mail:[email protected]
Distribuite by:Pacific Energy Fireplace Products Ltd.2975 Allenby Rd.Duncan, BC, CanadaV9L 6V8Tel: 1-250-748-1184email: [email protected] - retrieved 2018/10/13, original source: https://www.piazzetta.com/files/3514/0865/9916/p963.pdf - SELKIRK DIRECT-TEMP VENT SYSTEM FOR PELLET STOVE HEATERS [PDF] retrieved 2018/10/13, Selkirk Source: http://www.selkirkcorp.com/sitecore/content/global-configuration/selkirk/products/direct-vent/direct-temp--pellet
This venting system for pellet stoves permits as little as 1' clearance from the vent sides to combustibles. Cited in the Intertek 5660 manual PDF given above. - Selkirk, DT Conversion Kit INSTRUCTIONS [PDF] Selkirk Corporation, US & UK offices, US Customer Service United States Toll Free: 800.992.8368 Email: [email protected]
For Technical Service - 1.800.748.0392 (press option 5), retrieved 2018/10/13, original source: http://www.selkirkcorp.com/sitecore/content/global-configuration/selkirk/products/direct-vent/direct-temp--pellet used for adapting model DT to factory built and masonry chimneys - Selkirk DT to PL Conversion Kit INSTRUCTIONS [PDF] op. cit.
- St Croix Afton Bay-PELLET STOVE IO MANUAL [PDF] ..., retrieved 2018/10/13, original source: stcroixstoves.com/pdf/installation/Afton-Bay.pdf
- Whitfield Cascade PELLET STOVE MANUAL [PDF] (2003) Whitfield, Lennox Hearth Products, 110 West Taft Ave., Orange CA 92865 USA, retrieved 2018/10/13, original source: http://woodpelletheat.com/CascadeStoveManual.pdf
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- FIRE CLEARANCES, WOOD COAL & PELLET STOVES
- WOOD STOVE OPERATION & SAFETY
- WOOD STOVE INSPECTION CHECKLIST [Document Image]
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