what are these holes and pipes in my stove?

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Jeffg330

New Member
Dec 23, 2012
17
We bought a home with a stove in the basement last year. Can anyone tell me the purpose of the tubes running NS and the one EW? And if they require any maintenance? And the purpose of the holes on either side. Thanx in advance, I'm still a noob with this stuff
 

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The lower tube (s) looks like it has taken on some manual sawing to create the marks I see in the pic.
 
The only marking on it is the front "firex3000" I couldn't find any info on it...
 

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that shag rug is awfully close to disaster...
 
are they heat exchange tubes? I doubt it because it looks pretty leaky, but who knows. definitely need model number or even make.
 
I think it's been modified. I also think the installation is unsafe. Rick
 
I think it's been modified. I also think the installation is unsafe. Rick

Ok what can I do to make it safe? I have a mount behind the stove to attach a 1/4 inch thick piece of sheet metal behind the stove when I burn. I realize whoever installed this stove did it too close to the wall.
 
As for the tubes; The larger one look like heat exhangers. My parents old Schaffer stove had something similar. The blower would just flow through the hot tubes and out the vent in front. No idea on the other one. As for making it safe; There is definately not the clearance you need now. LOoks like you'll have to increase clearance with a bigger hearth and wall protection.

That square jacketed box (and lack of legs) almost looks like it is an insert that someone has thrown up on some blocks.
 
As for the tubes; The larger one look like heat exhangers. My parents old Schaffer stove had something similar. The blower would just flow through the hot tubes and out the vent in front. No idea on the other one. As for making it safe; There is definately not the clearance you need now. LOoks like you'll have to increase clearance with a bigger hearth and wall protection.

That square jacketed box (and lack of legs) almost looks like it is an insert that someone has thrown up on some blocks.

Thank you, I'll try to read up on how the heat exchanger works. Do you think the 1/4 inch steel is good to protect the back wall? I can easily expand the hearth, I want to sleep at night!
 
The simple answer is "I wouldn't". I can only imagine how dry that paneling is behind it (not to mention that shag carpet). I lived in a house with paneling and who know what folks have used over the years on it (stain, furniture oil etc.) I wouldn't have stood next to it with a cigarette for fear it would combust. You need proper protection before I would burn that stove.
 
This looks like an insert made for a fireplace install, not freestanding. There are many safety issues with this installation. If it is indeed intended to be an insert then it can not be installed on bricks on the floor. If on the other hand, it's just missing the legs then it needs to be higher off the floor. The hearth protection should extend at least 8" from the sides and back and extend at least 16" in front. Because it's unlisted it's required to have 36" clearance in all directions to combustibles. This can be reduced to 12" using proper NFPA211 wall shielding.
 
This looks like an insert made for a fireplace install, not freestanding. There are many safety issues with this installation. If it is indeed intended to be an insert then it can not be installed on bricks on the floor. If on the other hand, it's just missing the legs then it needs to be higher off the floor. The hearth protection should extend at least 8" from the sides and back and extend at least 16" in front. Because it's unlisted it's required to have 36" clearance in all directions to combustibles. This can be reduced to 12" using proper NFPA211 wall shielding.

Thank you all for your input, I will NOT be using this stove until it's safe and/or I buy a new stove. The legs in photo confirm this is not an insert, correct?
 
Thank you all for your input, I will NOT be using this stove until it's safe and/or I buy a new stove. The legs in photo confirm this is not an insert, correct?

Oops. Here's the pic. Notice the 71 gauge steel heat shield i constructed. Back wall cool to the touch!
 

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