Other models have optional read heat shields which reduce the wall clearance without requiring protection of the wall surface. THE GOOD NEWS is that most current stove models are tested with reduced clearancessometimes as close as 8”. Check your owners guide for this information. Some require that you measure from the top plate, some from the body of the stove. What part of the stove you begin your measurement depends on the brand stove. The same goes for corner installations-straight line to the wall. How to Measure If the listed clearance to a bare, unprotected wall is 36”, then you would measure in a straight line from the stove to the wall. ICC Residential chimneys The EXCEL insulated stainless steel chimney is suitable for use on appliances that burn wood, oil, coal, gas and charcoal and comes in 5”, 6”, 7” & 8” diameters. In a nutshell, the stove is run through the complete test, the temperatures are recorded, and safe clearances are established. If the temperatures exceed 185F, the walls are moved back until the temperatures recorded are less than 185F. That is why movable walls on tracks are used.

If temperatures exceed 185F, the stove must be located further away from the wall. In other words, if the ambient room temperature is 70F, the benchmark wall temperature cannot exceed 185F.

The benchmark temperature, which determines safe clearances, is typically 115 degrees F over the ambient room temperature. The stove is fired as hot as possible using oven dried softwood strips which are stapled together to create a “firebrand” which burns much hotter and faster than cord wood. As the stove operates, temperatures are tracked. These thermocouples relay temperatures to a computer, which tracks temperatures during the test. Heat sensing thermocouples are attached to the walls in specific locations. Same set of physics when compared to a stove installation. The stove was placed into a wooden booth where the walls are on tracks allowing them to move back and forth. Safe clearances for your model were determined using a very specific and detailed U.L. Examples of combustible materials include paneling, wood, sheet rock (even fire rated), and plaster (lathe). Firebrands and test booth wall w/temperature probe wires What is a Clearance?Ī clearance is the safe distance from the stove to a combustible surface. The Forums (on this site) can also help you get answers about stove clearances. If you have further questions, contact the technical service department of the manufacturer. Discuss the installation with your retailer. First, review the owners guide that came with the stove. However good the stove is, it’s still not safe unless installed to manufacturers specifications. After the difficult decision of what stove to buy has been made, you’ll need to install the stove safely. Written by Ken Rajesky, Hearth Industry Expert. Michigan Wood Stove Installation Codes Average ratng: 4,0/5 4477votes

Michigan wood stove installation codes