FAQConClear

What should I do if my stove manual does not specify a clearance to the connector pipe?

In most cases the manufacturer will test for clearances from the connector pipe to any combustible and print these clearances in the manual for the stove. Sometimes this clearance is not specified in the manual. You may have a clearance listed for the stove itself but not the connector pipe. If you have a stove where the connector pipe clearance is not specified what should you use to establish the connector pipe clearances?

In all cases where a clearance is not specifically tested and listed in the manual the proper procedure is to follow the building codes as enforced by your local authority having jurisdiction. In most localities this building code defers to the current NFPA 211 code. The NFPA 211 document has three conditions that must be followed with respect to wood stove connector pipe. They are:

1. Follow the stove manufacturer's instruction manual. (The manufacturer's manual is always the adopted "code" for wood stove installations. But in this case the connector pipe clearance is absent from this code and by absence the connector pipe code cannot come from this source)

2. Follow the pipe manufacturer's instruction manual. In the absence of a specific test for connector pipe clearances from the stove manufacturer, the NFPA 211 allows you to use the clearances established and tested to UL standards, by the pipe manufacturer. If the pipe manufacturer does not provide proof of testing and is not UL listed then refer to the following option.

3. Use the clearances established by the NFPA 211 for unlisted connector pipe. This clearance is currently 18". Clearances for unlisted products may be reduced by following the procedures outlined in the NFPA 211 document for protecting combustible surfaces, although not less than 9" to a ceiling and 6” to a wall.

If you install a "UL Listed" connector pipe system you may follow the instructions in the manual for that pipe. Bear in mind that most UL Listed connector pipes have been tested only with certain brands or types of chimney. You must follow the rules as stated in the manufacturer's instructions for installation. Also, in all cases the stove manufacturer's listed clearances for the stove itself must also be maintained. Both the stove clearance and the connector pipe clearance must be followed. In many cases the need for this procedure comes up because an offset in the connector is required to avoid some building structure.

As an example, let's say you have placed your stove at the proper distance from any combustible but you have to offset the connector pipe around a wood beam to reach the chimney. The stove manual does not tell you what the clearance from the connector pipe to the wood beam should be. In this case, the necessary clearance from the connector pipe to the beam (and any other combustible surface) can be obtained from the installation manual for the connector pipe. Let's say the manufacturer of the pipe lists the clearance to a combustible wall as 6" and the clearance to a combustible ceiling as 9". In this case you can route the pipe so that the clearance to the bottom of the beam is at least 9" and the clearance to the sides or top of the beam is at least 6". If you follow both the stove manufacturer's clearances AND the pipe manufacturers clearances it can be said that your stove is installed within the "code". Bear in mind that the local authority has the final word and must accept this interpretation of all the documents involved.

What if the local code enforcement officer (referred to as the “authority having jurisdiction” in the NFPA 211 document) either does not agree with the above interpretation or agrees to allow a clearance not stated in any of the aforementioned documents? Do I still have a “code compliant” installation?

In a word – yes. The code is written in such a way as to allow almost any procedure that is acceptable to the local authority having jurisdiction. However, no local code official should misuse this authority to allow a stove installation that does not meet some tested clearance. In most cases the local code officer will prefer to have some written confirmation that a clearance to a combustible has been tested and accepted by some standards authority, such as UL or ANSI. In the above example the materials were tested to a UL standard and listed as such. If a product is not tested and listed the local code officer has the right to sign off on the installation if he or she believes the installation meets the requirements of the local code currently in effect.

So, yes, you could have a “code compliant” installation even if you do not have specific documentation with stated clearances. The NFPA 211 becomes the default document and must be properly enforced by the local code officer. However, in no case can a local code officer over-ride a written and tested clearance and be in compliance with the building codes. If a tested and listed clearance exists for your stove and connector pipe these clearances, as stated in the manufacturer's installation manuals, become the enforceable “code”. Your installation can only be said to be “code compliant” if these manuals are followed.

What is the policy of the Cracker Mill when an installation is inspected and clearances to the stove and the connector pipe are not in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions?

The Cracker Mill has adopted a strict policy that requires all stove and pipe clearances to be in compliance with the instructions as outlined in the manual for the stove or, in the absence of specific connector pipe clearances in the stove manual, the manual for the pipe. In no case can the clearances be less than allowed by NFPA 211 for an unlisted stove without specific instructions provided by the manufacturer of the stove or pipe. In the absence of a specific document provided by the manufacturer we require the stove to meet the NFPA 211 code and be signed off by the local code officer. We will not accept any clearances that were allowed by the local code officer unless documented as allowed by the NFPA 211 as adopted into the building code.

It is a rare case when a local code officer will allow a clearance that is less than is stated in the instructions for the product or the NFPA 211 document. However, if we are presented with such a situation we may decline to perform the work until the clearances can be corrected to comply with any published listing or the NFPA 211. We are not required to accept any local clearance code variance when such a clearance variance is less than any tested and listed document as provided by the manufacturer of any product. In most cases where the clearances are less than required by the manufacturer or NFPA 211 it was in error and the local code officer will agree that this error be corrected as soon as possible.

The Cracker Mill will provide written proof to support all clearance requirements for any installation when requested by either the stove owner or the local code officer (or an agent for either party, such as an insurance adjuster, real estate agent, etc.). If a stove owner does not have the manufacturer's instructions in their possession the Cracker Mill may use the NFPA 211 as proof of clearances.

Can I safely assume that the use of “listed reduced clearance connectors” (as stated in NFPA 211) will allow a closer clearance than the use of single wall pipe with either a pipe shield or a wall/ceiling shield?

No, this cannot be assumed. We know of at least a few stove models that tested with larger stove and connector clearances to combustibles when used with reduced clearance connector. However, not every situation is tested. If a manufacturer does not test for clearances when used with reduced clearance pipe then it is not known if the clearances for such an installation may turn out to be higher than if using single-wall pipe and pipe shields, or a wall shield. In some cases it may be safer to use the listed clearances as stated in the manual for all types of connector. Still, it is allowable by NFPA to use the listed clearances from the pipe manufacturer and stay within the code. This situation illustrates why the “code” does not automatically result in the “safest” installation. Common sense should guide all installers and inspectors and safety should always carry more weight than the “code” when clearances are chosen.