Harman Stove Company 1-90-79700 Existing Masonry Chimneys, Venting to a Masonry Chimney

Oakleaf Woodburning Stove

1. Existing Masonry Chimneys

If you plan on using a pre-existing masonry chimney, have it thoroughly inspected and cleaned. Any faults which make the chimney unsafe and unusable must be repaired prior to use. These can include improper height, structural defects, blockages, inadequate clearance to combustibles, unsealed openings into other rooms of the house, signs of creosote or smoke leakage, a loose or absent clean-out door, or absence of a liner.

2. Venting to a Masonry Chimney

When connecting to a masonry chimney, several provisions are standard. First, whether the chimney connector is vented to the chimney through a thimble or a breech pipe, neither must pass beyond the inner surface of the chimney liner, and both must be firmly cemented in place with refractory cement. (A thimble is a masonry pipe which is inserted through the chimney wall, and is frequently the preferred method; a breech pipe is a piece of steel pipe used the same way.) In Canada, a breech pipe has ridges or protrusions to lock it firmly into the refractory cement. In either case, the chimney connector vents to the chimney through the thimble or breech pipe.

Using a thimble, the connector slides completely inside the masonry to the inner edge of the flue liner, and may be easily removed for chimney and connector inspection. A breech pipe must extend at least 2" (50

mm)into the room, so the connector can be attached with sheetmetal screws.

3. Venting to a Masonry Fireplace Chimney

In some situations, a code compliant chimney originally used for a masonry fireplace may be used. In addition to the requirements found in the previous paragraphs, it is important to be aware that all clearances must be met, including those from the chimney connector to combustibles. Do not forget to include floor protection in your plans. (See Clearances and Floor Protection in this section.) Since many fireplaces have exposed wooden mantels and trim, pay special attention to the clearances necessary to these materials.

If your fireplace chimney is behind a combustible wall, you must use an approved wall pass-through system to gain access to the masonry chimney. The chimney connector must enter the chimney at a place where it is lined, and the fireplace must be made inoperable. For example, you might remove the damper, replacing it with a secure, airtight, noncombustible seal (removable for inspection); this also satisfies the requirement that no room air must be allowed to enter the chimney.

4. Installing to a Prefabricated Chimney

When venting using a prefabricated chimney, be sure to contact local building code authorities, and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly. Use only the manufacturer’s parts; do not use makeshift installation techniques. All prefabricated chimneys must be tested to either the U.S. or Canadian high-temperature standards, UL 103 or ULC S629.

5. Other Considerations

Do not burn any fuel other than dry cordwood. Never use highly volatile substances in your stove, such as gasoline, which could cause an explosion.

When solid fuels are burned completely, they produce water and carbon dioxide. However, in long slow burns, a substantial amount of carbon monoxide may be produced. If allowed to build up, carbon monoxide (which is odorless) can prove fatally poisonous. Proper ventilation and draft will prevent this from happening. If you smell smoke, thoroughly ventilate your dwelling, and contact your dealer for service.

Other causes of poor ventilation or draft are icing, exhaust fans, a blocked outside air inlet, and room air starvation. If your stove is sluggish and you get occasional odor, check these possibilities and increase the air flow in your home.

Save These Instructions 3-90-798 Dry Seasoned Wood Only! 15