Embedded Files
Solid Fuel Burner Focus
Solid Fuel Burner Focus
Top things to cover
Is the stove professionally installed vs. installed by owner
Get the make and model of unit from label, owner or manual
Identify clearances for this particular unit
Identify protection and air space specifics so you can calculate actual clearance needs
Photos
Take photos all the way around the SFB
Take photos of the stove pipe and connection thru walls to to chimney
Take photos of actual measurements
Inspection Prep
None Needed
Introduction & What is a Solid Fuel Burner?
Introduction & What is a Solid Fuel Burner?
Intro
Solid fuel burners are all about clearances. To determine clearances, we must identify if a unit is UL listed or not. You must use every effort available to determine if a unit is UL listed while you are on site.
If the unit is not UL listed there is one set of clearances. If the unit is UL listed there is another set of clearances. This section will provide you with our best practices on surveying a solid fuel burner installation.
SFB Demo.mp4What is a Solid Fuel Burner (SFB)?
The definition of a Solid Fuel Burner is any device that burns a solid fuel such as wood, coal or pellets. This includes combination units that are wood or coal with oil or propane. We will request to inspect SFB’s when we suspect they are present. If the insured states he doesn’t use the SFB, we still inspect. As long as it is still connected, we inspect it.
Insurance Issues with Solid Fuel Burners
Insurance companies want to know whenever there is a SFB in the buildings they cover. Most of our customers ask us to inspect when ever we see one- even on exterior surveys. The main concerns the Under Writer’s have with SFB’s are:
UL listing
clearances to combustibles
proper installation
A clearance is the safe distance from the stove to a combustible surface. Examples of combustible materials include paneling, wood, sheet-rock (even fire rated) and plaster.
NOTE: You should always try to obtain the make and model of all Solid Fuel Burners. Having this information allows us to search the internet for the manual which then helps us determine if the SFB is UL listed, if its MH approved and gives us clearance information
Customer Instructions:
All customers have very specific instructions as to when they want the SFB form attached, please double check your ticket to see if you need to complete one. Some customers state in their instructions that it is not necessary to inspect wood furnace in a basement. This means if its connected to a hot air system with ductwork you do not need to fill out the SFB form.
How To Measure SFB Clearances
How To Measure SFB Clearances
Parallel Installation Measurements
A – distance from vent pipe to rear wall
B – distance from vent pipe to side walls
D – distance from SFB rear to wall
E – distance from SFB sides to walls
Example Measurement Photos
Example Measurement Photos
We want a photo of the tape measure showing the distance to the walls, unprotected floors, etc. Below is a list of required photos.
Photo of the front of SFB: clearly showing floor protection and entire SFB
Photo of label: if available and possible
Photo of stovepipe to wall: where it connects to chimney
SFB to rear wall: showing measurement
SFB to nearest other wall: showing measurement
SFB to floor: what is SFB sitting on and how high is it?– showing measurement
Sides to unprotected floor: both sides- showing measurement
Front to unprotected floor: showing measurement
Stovepipe to wall or ceiling: showing measurement
Other photos that are helpful:
If you see the manual – take a photo of the Cover as it will list the Make and model and also the clearances page.
If there is airspace on wall -please get a photo showing this. Airspace must be at top and bottom of the wall.
Narrative on the SFB form
There is space on the form for you to give information that may not be asked on the form. It is always helpful to put exactly what the material is on the adjacent walls or under the SFB.
UL Listing
UL Listing
What does UL listing mean?
These solid fuel burning products are examined by an independent laboratory to determine the suitability of their construction and performance for the service for which they are intended. It is determined that temperatures on combustible materials and surfaces adjacent to or in contact with the assembly will not exceed specified limits when the product is installed and used as directed.
Where do I obtain UL Clearance info?
Generally the UL Clearance information is found on the label at the rear of the unit or in the Owner’s Manual (ask the insured if they have a copy available).
Pellet Stoves
It is mandatory to have the manual or have access to the plate information provided on the stove in order to determine acceptable clearances. Often the label can be found by opening the hopper lid. If the manual or acceptable clearance are not provided then a recommendation must be added.
If the unit is not UL listed – use the following guidelines:
Standard Clearances
Standard Clearances
The standard clearances for the safe installation of a wood stove can vary depending on the specific model and local building codes, but here are some general guidelines:
Clearance to combustible materials: The stove should be installed with a clearance of at least 36 inches from any combustible materials, such as walls, furniture, curtains, and flooring. This distance may need to be greater depending on the specific model and local building codes.
Floor protection: The stove should be installed on a non-combustible surface, such as a sheet of metal, tile, or masonry, with a minimum extension of 18 inches on all sides of the stove.
Clearance to walls and ceilings: The stove should have a clearance of at least 18 inches from any walls or ceilings that are within 36 inches of the stove.
Chimney height and clearance: The chimney should extend at least 3 feet above the highest point of the roof, and have a minimum clearance of 2 inches from any combustible materials.
Ventilation: The room where the stove is installed should have adequate ventilation to ensure proper airflow and prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide.
It's important to consult local building codes and manufacturer's recommendations for the specific wood stove model being installed to ensure proper installation and safe operation.
What Needs Protection?
What Needs Protection?
Wall Protection:
Non-UL clearance is 36″ to a combustible surface.
Air Space: The best protection is air! Placing a noncombustible wall over the existing wall and using spacers to keep this wall 1″ away from the existing wall dissipates the heat and reduces the clearance greatly. There must be 1″ openings at the bottom, top and sides for the air to dissipate.
Heat Shields: Some stoves have heat shields attached to the rear of the unit that reduce clearances. You will need to identify this shield in your photos.
Ceiling Protection:
There needs to be acceptable clearance from the stovepipe to ceiling. Basements are the most common place to find clearance issues with the ceiling.
Floor Protection:
The amount of protection needed varies with the materials used under the stove and the design of the stove. Some stoves have heat shields under the unit that can reduce clearances.
Most if not all SFB with pedestals are allowed to be installed on a non-combustible floor and do not have a minimum height or minimum requirement of floor protection so it would be rear to have a unit with pedestal that will have a rec for additional floor protection.
If the SFB has open bottom with legs on the unit then the height of the legs and floor protection become very important and measurement should be taken.
Clearances to Non-Protected Floors
We need measurements from the front and sides of the SFB out to the non protected floors. Most stoves require clearances of 18″ from the front of the stove and 12″ to the sides to non combustible floors.
SFB Located In Garage or Shop
SFB Located In Garage or Shop
If the solid fuel burner is located in a garage or shop, please continue with normal SFB inspection, but with one exception make a recommendation to remove.
Can you put a wood stove, pellet stove or coal stove in a residential garage? The answer is usually NO.
The guidelines in this case are those written by NFPA (National Fire Protection Association). These are accepted and considered as the base code for most places in the USA.As per the enclosed snippet, NFPA 211 states:
Location of Appliances.
12.2.4 Solid fuel burning appliances shall not be installed in any garage.
Additionally,
12.2.3 forbids installation anywhere gasoline or other flammable vapors may be present.
Note: There has been some discussion as to the meaning of the term garage. There is little doubt that this refers to an attached garage which has large door opening, and therefore CAN be used for storing automobiles. However, some inspectors and experts have allowed ignition source appliances in detached garages (shop, by their definition). Still, if such shops are used for wood working, car repair, etc. then BOTH 12.2.3 and common sense would dictate that any source of ignition not be present, especially close to the floor, where vapors tend to build up.
SFB Located In Mobile Homes
SFB Located In Mobile Homes
There are stoves that are approved to be installed in mobile homes.
What you need to know:
These stoves will Always have a tag on the rear indicating “approved for Mobile Home Installation”.
All mobile home approved stoves are required to have an outside air intake pipe. Some pipes are designed to be in the pedestal so they may not be obvious- ask the homeowner and then have them show you the pipe outside (get a photo) or they will have an extra pipe in the rear venting to outside insert photo pellet stove venting- in this photo the larger pipe is the exhaust and the smaller pipe is the air intake
Most are required to be bolted to the floor
Most state not to install in a sleeping room
Hot Button Hazards: SFB
Hot Button Hazards: SFB
UL Listing
A stove is either UL listed or it is not..
Recommendation: UL listing status of the solid fuel burner at [ Specify Area(s) ] could not be verified. As such, we consider this solid fuel burner to be an unlisted unit and subject to specification requirements for non-UL listed units. Insured should provide insurance company with verification of UL listing and manufacturer’s installation specifications.
Stove Located In Garage or Shop
Underlying fumes from car or gas powered equipment and a wood stove are not a good combination
Recommendation: The solid fuel burner, stovepipe and related materials in the shop/garage area should be removed due to the possibility of igniting low lying flammable fumes.
Inadequate Clearance From Combustibles
This includes piles of wood, household items
Recommendation: All combustibles (drapery, furniture, household goods, etc?) should be stored at least 36″ from solid fuel burner at [ Specify Area(s) ] to reduce the fire hazard.
Inadequate Clearance From Foot Traffic
SFB’s should not be installed at the bottom of a stairwell or in a place that interferes with foot traffic. In a commercial setting the SFB should have a barrier around it.
Recommendation: With the solid fuel burner being close to public foot traffic, the risk of personal injury due to burns is present. A non-combustible railing or substantial barrier should be installed to help maintain a safe distance from the solid fuel burner
SFB in Mobile Home
If SFB does not have the label on rear stating approved for Mobile home installation.
Recommendation: UL listing status and proof of acceptable Mobile Home installation of the solid fuel burner in (Specify Area)? could not be verified. As such, we consider this solid fuel burner to be not acceptable in a mobile home and should be removed to reduce the fire hazard.
Non-UL Pellet Stove
Pellet stove has no manual and no plate to determine UL listing
Recommendation: UL Status of the pellet stove burner at [ Specify Area(s) ] could not be verified. As such, we can not determine if the unit is installed properly and request the insured provide the insurance company with a copy of the recommended manufacturer’s installation specifications.
Inadequate Cleaning
Stovepipes should be cleaned every 2 months or after burning 2 cords of wood.
Recommendation: The solid fuel burners chimney at [ Specify Area(s) ] should be cleaned at regular intervals after burning between two to three cords of wood to reduce creosote accumulation and reduce the risk of a chimney fire.
Stove Section Missing 3 Screws
Sections of stove pipe should be secured by the use of three self-tapping screws to hold the pieces together.
Recommendation: The stovepipe at [specify area] is not connected properly. Three screws should be installed at each connection to improve condition
Shared Flue
SFB’s should have their own Flue and should not share one being used by another fossil fuel unit.
Recommendation: The solid fuel burner at [ Specify Area(s) ] shares a chimney with a fossil fuel unit. Due to the danger of inadequate venting of flue gases the solid fuel burner should have its own separate chimney installed to reduce the fire hazard.
Stovepipe Incorrectly Crimped
or crimp pointing upwards. Its almost surprising how often we see this
Recommendation: The stovepipe at [specify area] is not installed correctly. Reinstall pipe so that crimped ends point downward so as to reduce creosote that is contained in pipe
Stovepipe Under 24 Gauge
UL standards require the use of 24 gauge pipe
Recommendation: The stovepipe at [specify area] is the incorrect gauge and should be replaced with stovepipe which is 24 gauge or better
Stovepipe Run Too Long
Stove pipe length is greater than 10′ or has too many bends
Recommendation: Stove pipe length at [specify area] exceeds 10′ and should be re-configured to reduce length and improve fire hazard
Chimney Height Requirements
The top of the chimney must extend upward to a point at least 3 feet above the roof on the low side, and two feet above any part of the roof within ten feet.
Recommendation: The chimney at {{ Specify Area }} should extend up at least three feet above where it passes through the roof, and at least two feet above any roof surface within 10′ measured horizontally all around.
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