Installing an Jotul F500 Oslo

[ntomsw]

This is my makeshift 28.5" wide F500.

It's 17" deep, and then where the rear pipe would be or that area (whatever it's called) I made it 27" deep, because I believe that's what manual said.

So, any better idea now???? Thought maybe a image would help.

 

[Grisu]

You definitively need something in front and you may need to remove the trim to get a hearth extension there. That would be true for any stove.

When you measure from the left side do you have 36" to the drywall under the stairs?

You could probably push the stove a little further back as the chimney would be considered non-combustible. Check how much clearance from the back corners of the stove to the sidewalls you still have then.

If Jotul does not want to answer your question directly, ask your dealer to call them.

 

[ntomsw]

You definitively need something in front and you may need to remove the trim to get a hearth extension there. That would be true for any stove.

When you measure from the left side do you have 36" to the drywall under the stairs?

You could probably push the stove a little further back as the chimney would be considered non-combustible. Check how much clearance from the back corners of the stove to the sidewalls you still have then.

If Jotul does not want to answer your question directly, ask your dealer to call them.

Ok. I will try and figure out what to do for an extension. I would like something "portable" though, so I can remove it during the months we aren't burning. Otherwise it's really in the way.

From the front left corner, to the drywall under the stairs, is 39-40". From the left rear corner to the bricks is about 16"-17". From the right rear corner to the bricks is 14" and from the front right corner to the bricks is about 20".

 

[xman23]

Ntomsw, pm me your email. I will look for a dimensioned sketch of my setup. We have had this discussion here about the side door use before. All I can say mine works fine. Occasionally I have the blast of air causes a split to pop. The fact that the door is small and anything that does fly out hits the stone wall or lands on the hearth works perfectly for me. Are we now saying clearance or fire proof surface, that would make sense.

 

[begreen]

If the intent is to have this installation inspected and insurance approved there needs to be more than just a fireproof surface. A sheet of metal glued to sheetrock is a fireproof surface but would not be approved. Clearances established by the manufacturer are the authority here. If the mfg. grants an exception for NFPA wall shielding then the inspecting authority "may" approve. What may be confusing is that NFPA does not list just one option for a wall shield. NFPA 211 table 12.6.2.1 lists 8 different options with varying degrees of protection.

That said with the new current dimensions just provided it now appears there is an issue for installing the F500. The rear edge of the side door opening is not 26", it's ~18" from the wall. I think that's too close for the 33% reduction to help. My guess is that is the concern of the stove shop too.

 

[ntomsw]

If the intent is to have this installation inspected and insurance approved there needs to be more than just a fireproof surface. A sheet of metal glued to sheetrock is a fireproof surface but would not be approved. Clearances established by the manufacturer are the authority here. If the mfg. grants an exception for NFPA wall shielding then the inspecting authority "may" approve. What may be confusing is that NFPA does not list just one option for a wall shield. NFPA 211 table 12.6.2.1 lists 8 different options with varying degrees of protection.

That said with the new current dimensions just provided it now appears there is an issue for installing the F500. The rear edge of the side door opening is not 26", it's ~18" from the wall. I think that's too close for the 33% reduction to help. My guess is that is the concern of the stove shop too.

Is the only side that needs those clearances the left side? Or does the right side need it too?

 

[Grisu]

I am also troubled by the lack of specification in the F500 manual what is considered a protected surface. I agree that the reference to NFPA 211 is not that helpful. Plus, that Jotul does not even want to answer those questions on the phone...

I suggest starting at the end and working backwards. Tell your insurance that you want to replace your old stove and see what they require. If they want an inspection, talk to the inspector about your plans and see what he/she says. They will need to approve the side/rear clearances as well as the (removable) hearth pad. If the insurance just needs a professional install discuss your options with the stove shop. Only after you get the ok that they will approve your install if you follow their requirements would I buy and install the F500.

Btw. Clearances from the back corners to the walls are either 9" or 6" when you have the rear shield. Thus, the stove could be moved back a bit.

 

[begreen]

Is the only side that needs those clearances the left side? Or does the right side need it too?

Correct. 36" clearance from combustibles is for an opening door to the firebox.

 

[ntomsw]

Correct. 36" clearance from combustibles is for an opening door to the firebox.

So the rest of the stove can be how close?

It seems if I push it one way or another, I could make it fit.

Or maybe build a slightly larger hearth? Not sure how, but that could be an option as well.

I'll give these photos and some good measurements to the stove shop as they asked, and see what they have to say.

 

[begreen]

The other clearances are by the manual. As noted however, Jotul has not specified in the manual what constitutes a protected surface. NFPA211 has 8 protected surface definitions, each with a varying degree of clearance reduction allowance. I think however it is safe to assume that they are thinking about a ventilated wall shield. Ask when you make contact with them.

 

[Grisu]

See the manual here: http://jotul.com/us/products/stoves/_attachment/29856?_download=true&_ts=14d90e0dd3a
Clearances are specified on pages 16 and 17. The question is if you have a protected wall surface or not. The stove shop should be able to help you.

 

[claydogg84]

Just so we're clear - Nobody is going to be in your home telling you not to use the side door. God forbid something actually happens in which case you could potentially be asked about using the side door, your answer could simply be "No, I always front loaded the stove".

 

[ntomsw]

I found this thread doing some research. This member is local to me in NH. Her install doesn't look any different than what I am trying to do? What am I missing?

I can't find it, but not sure what are on her walls, and it seems like they use the side door with no issues at all.

So maybe there is some hope for me. I might reach out to her and see what info she can provide as well.



https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/shes-here-yet-another-oslo-install.139631/page-2

 

[Grisu]

your answer could simply be "No, I always front loaded the stove".

If you are still able to answer that question...

 

[begreen]

Just so we're clear - Nobody is going to be in your home telling you not to use the side door. God forbid something actually happens in which case you could potentially be asked about using the side door, your answer could simply be "No, I always front loaded the stove".

The protection on this hearth for front loading is even worse than side loading.

 

[ntomsw]

The protection on this hearth for front loading is even worse than side loading.

I just used what I was told was OK to use. The rug I have. If a stove shop tells me it's OK to use, and they sell it to me, I'm going to take their word for it that they know what they're talking about.

 

[claydogg84]

The protection on this hearth for front loading is even worse than side loading.

That can be remedied easier than the side clearances though, and will most likely need to be addressed regardless of which stove he chooses.

 

[begreen]

Salesmen are anything but authorities. Follow the manual, it's the accepted authority here.

 

[ntomsw]

That can be remedied easier than the side clearances though, and will most likely need to be addressed regardless of which stove he chooses.

Yes, it will be remedied. I knew that going in.

 

[ntomsw]

Salesmen are anything but authorities. Don't believe that? I have a bridge in Brooklyn that is up for sale, cheap.

Well, hopefully they know about this, since Jotul wants me talking to them, and not to Jotul.

They will also be the ones going over my photos to see if everything looks kosher or not. (Different stove shop but still)

 

[begreen]

I wish all shops were created equal, they aren't. Stovelark works at an excellent, large Jotul dealership in CT. If you don't get a timely response start a conversation with him for perspective.

 

[branchburner]

If a stove shop tells me it's OK to use, and they sell it to me, I'm going to take their word for it that they know what they're talking about.

Sometimes they don't. If you ask your insurance agent, he's probably going to want you to go by the book (the stove manual, or established code) rather than Stove Guy.

To my mind, not following code precisely is a potential liability. The issue isn't always a genuine safety issue, but rather a CYA issue. That said.... I'm not one to always follow my own advice.

 

[begreen]

Personally I would be looking at other stove options. There are many. Jotuls are nice stoves, I've owned several, but there are other fish in the pond that are also great stoves. And even Jotul may have better options in the F50?

 

[rsw49]

* Use of the left side load door is prohibited in alcove or corner installations. Use Side Door Lock Kit # 155850.

All the talk of 36 inches to combustibles on the left side appears immaterial if this is considered a corner install. Jotul clearly states that the side door can not be used and has to be locked. They have their reasons which are not stated in the manual. You can ask them or installers but unless they are willing to put it in writing that this install is an exception to the prohibition I would think the manual is controlling.

 

[ntomsw]

I found this thread doing some research. This member is local to me in NH. Her install doesn't look any different than what I am trying to do? What am I missing?

I can't find it, but not sure what are on her walls, and it seems like they use the side door with no issues at all.

So maybe there is some hope for me. I might reach out to her and see what info she can provide as well.



https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/shes-here-yet-another-oslo-install.139631/page-2

Anyone any ideas on this? Wasn't sure if it was skipped or not.

If this doesn't work, I will look into other stoves. Until I am told definitely no by the stove shop and Jotul, I will keep trying with this stove.

Seems there are plenty of people who use this stove in a corner install.

So I'll see what my options are first, before I move into another stove.