town inspection

Doesn't make sense to me. Are they saying that there is a greater chance of you burning your house down with a new stove than a used one?

No, it really doesn't make sense. He/they just don't want to be liable for anything that may be wrong with a used stove. But, if he is truly an "inspector", it should not matter.

Ask again, and if you get the same answer, ask is that their official policy. If he says it is, then request that in writing.

My sister just called our town inspection office the other day to ask about a natural gas furnace install. They said as long as Mountaineer Gas is happy with it they don't care.

I agree with BeGreen.

Make sure you talk to the inspector, not a gate guard secretary. You may have to play a little game where you pop in and eventually catch the inspector in the office. Obviously, it should not be that way. Although many people use common sense, it seems that this stuff gets unnecessarily complicated in MA more often than it needs to.

You could also try to let a few days go by, and get the paper work. Don't verbally mention that it is not a new stove to whomever you speak with. Less information volunteered is better, unless it relates to a safety issue.

Get the paperwork and then hopefully the inspector will come in and check to see that it is safe.

I found out the hard way that city inspections are a joke.
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/2717/
It cost me time and money.
I wanted the inspector to INSPECT not just glance!
I wanted him to measure and test and even find something wrong that I hadn't noticed.
But no, he walked in, said "Looks good." and left.
<----- My cat inspected the install more thoroughly than he did.

I came to the realization that city permits and inspections are just a way for the city to get $$ from me.

I am certain that there are many inspectors out there that actually do their job -but this one didn't.

(I am certain there are many honest politicians out there too.)

Wow, my town inspection was a little more detailed than what spot linked to. At least my guy walked inside, looked at the wood stove and saw that the screws were attached between the 2 sections of metalbestos flue that I had installed. And I think I did check him glance up outside on my deck on the flue that extended above my roof...

Jay

BeGreen said:

The intent of the inspection is safety. They are not supposed to be inspecting just the stove, they also are supposed to be inspecting the installation to make sure that the stove was installed in accordance with applicable codes and the manufacturers specs. Assure them that you have the stove's documentation and can verify that the stove has not been modified. Then tell them to get on the stick and inspect the installation. Hopefully the inspector will have more common sense.

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Its funny how different states require different things. I live in NH and call the building inspector and asked if I needed a permit or an inspection. The answer I got was "nope". Then I called the local firedepartment and asked if there is any inspection required by thee, the answer I got was, "nope". Finally I called my homeowners insurance company and asked if my rate would go up because I have a wood stove or if they require anyone from Liberty Mutual to come out and look at the installation, I got the same answer "nope" But then I go to work in Massachusetts and there is one person who want to install a pellete stove. He needs a permit, building inspection and fire inspection and also his insurance will go up and they also require an inspection. Talk about how different one state is from another.


Frank
p.s Does any know a good electronics parts store in southern NH. I need to replace a water tight connector on a crankshaft positon sensor?

Plus you hit the nail on the head inadvertantly. Your insurance company is requiring this correct?
The insurance industry is worried about wood stoves this winter. Especially the normal Home owner's type companies that don't usaully deal with wood heat. The farm companies I deal with aren't that worried.
Some towns in NH have building inspectors, but I don't believe that my town's inspectors do wood stoves, not to mention they aren't trained so they don't want the liability. And I don't think the fire dept does either.
NH's state fire marshall's office also only has 6 people so unlike other states they can't spare the man power.

spot said:

I found out the hard way that city inspections are a joke.
https://www.hearth.com/econtent/index.php/forums/viewthread/2717/
It cost me time and money.
I wanted the inspector to INSPECT not just glance!
I wanted him to measure and test and even find something wrong that I hadn't noticed.
But no, he walked in, said "Looks good." and left.

Click to expand...

I ran into the exact same situation....mine came within 25 feet of the insert, and said "looks good"
I would vote with the poster to get your documentation in order (Stove manual/Stove specs/clearances to combustibles) and call them out for the inspection...would not mention that the stove is used, unless the question is specifically asked on the permit/application. I am looking at my app right now, and it does not ask if it is new/used...your town/city may be different, but I doubt it.

Frank,

If you need a CPS sensor connector for a MOPAR product, try this site:

http://dto.vftis.com/mopar/disclaimer.asp

I was able to get what I needed there.

Mike

CT-Mike said:

Frank,

If you need a CPS sensor connector for a MOPAR product, try this site:

http://dto.vftis.com/mopar/disclaimer.asp

I was able to get what I needed there.

Mike

Click to expand...

I need the connector for 2003 Nissan Altima crankshaft position sensor. I replaced the sensor, which was a PITA, but the connector will not seat correctly new sensor. So I want to replace the connector

Londonderry- I built a standing roof over my kiln and needed a building permit and inspection- it was very casual. However- when I asked about the kiln itself I was told "we do not regulate solid fuel burning appliances". I explained that it was more industrial dimensions (14 cu ft fire box, consuming over 1.5 cord of wood in 24 hours) and they assured me that I was in the clear. Ummm- OK.

Londonderry, I bought m house in Derry last march. It was already set-up for a wood stove. When I went to get the insurance started ( in Londonderry) they asked me if I had a wood stove. I said no but I plan to get one a.s.a.p.

I asked if it mattered that I had one and will I not get payed if something happens because of the stove. They said, we really don't care just askin.

At the very least, get something in writing from your homeowners ins co. If something bad were to happen (God forbid) they are the ones that will deny the claim and not pay out. Mine actually came out and inspected it themselves and made sure a permit and inspection were done.

Dill said:

I don't believe that my town's inspectors do wood stoves, not to mention they aren't trained so they don't want the liability.

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Exacty... liability, real or imagined, must be the issue for this MA town - they threw in one more layer of CYA protection. If they are going to sign off on an install, they want the stove to be new - it is then assumed safe by default, making it very easy to "inspect". Makes you wonder if there was already an incident with an older stove that led to this, or someone forsees a potential incident, or just too many lawyers living in town.

JMF1 said:

At the very least, get something in writing from your homeowners ins co. If something bad were to happen (God forbid) they are the ones that will deny the claim and not pay out. Mine actually came out and inspected it themselves and made sure a permit and inspection were done.

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More than likely this is going to be on your agent's head not yours. I have to sign off on woodstoves with my primary companies, that yes its installed correctly. Its more just common sense with us. I can tell quickly if its going to be a problem or not. If the people haven't been burning for years, I usually look for a pro install. I also take a peek at the wood pile if I don't see good seasoned wood I press the issue. 90% of the time the stoves are fine, but I've run away from a few also.

The town now claims that its a Massachusetts state law that a used wood stove cannot be inspected & approved for use. According to them even if you purchased a brand new stove pulled a permit for the installation & used the stove once before it was inspected they will not come out for the final inspection (since it has been used) & this is a state wide law. Anyone ever heard of such a thing?

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There use to be an inspector from Mass on this forum, elkimmeg was his user name and still is on this forum I think - http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/firepl/ - If you really want to try maybe post there for him, he KNOWS all the legals of stove inspections in your state, His name is Don.

I recently tried to find some public information about laws prohibiting the installation of non-EPA wood stoves. I could not come up with anything that specifically prohibited this under the current building codes in my state of NY. However, there were a few municipalities who have outlawed the sale and installation of non-EPA stoves. Nothing on whether it was new or used. I'm curious if the law your MA inspectors are referring to has to do with non-EPA stoves rather than "used" stoves. Anyway, any local township or county could pass an ordinance, regardless of whether a state law was in effect. It's assinine, to be sure. But a lot of laws are.

shanenest said:

The town now claims that its a Massachusetts state law that a used wood stove cannot be inspected & approved for use. According to them even if you purchased a brand new stove pulled a permit for the installation & used the stove once before it was inspected they will not come out for the final inspection (since it has been used) & this is a state wide law. Anyone ever heard of such a thing?

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Your town is talking BS...have you spoke with the inspector and showed him the link BB mentioned?
Call your insurance agency, and find out what is required. All I needed was to fill out a questionairre, and list the installer with address/phone number etc.
Also had to give them the make/model number.

shanenest said:

The town now claims that its a Massachusetts state law that a used wood stove cannot be inspected & approved for use. According to them even if you purchased a brand new stove pulled a permit for the installation & used the stove once before it was inspected they will not come out for the final inspection (since it has been used) & this is a state wide law. Anyone ever heard of such a thing?

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Funny my town inspected and passed my used stove this year with no problem......what town ru in???

shanenest said:

I purchased an insert from craigslist that was manufactured in 2006 & had it professionally installed. For insurance purposes i am supposed to have the town building inspector inspect & give me a certificate that i am supposed to send to the insurance company. My town is telling me that they will only inspect stoves if they are brand new & have never been used. Does that make any sense?

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For Massachusetts, that makes perfect sense. One point I would clarify, is that 'new & have never been used' as in fresh out of the box, still in plastic wrap, never had ash in the firebox or 'new & have never been used' as in "the currently installed location". To you, the stove is 'new and has never been used'... in your home.

IMHO, I wouldn't rely on the state/inspector for anything. (though it seems to be very popular) It's your home, your stove, your install and your loss if anything is wrong - why rely on someone looking to make 50 bucks with as little work as possible, who doesn't care about any of the above, to tell you if something is wrong. Read up on here, ask questions, examine the stove and make sure everything is installed to your satisfaction. Then do what ever you need to do to get the silly piece of paper to give to the ins. co.