My father in law is against me putting an indoor wood boiler in the basement. I have a propane boiler already in the basement. He has spoken with a few people who said that if I get a propane leak the wood boiler will cause an ignition. That may be true but I think a light switch would do the same thing. My building inspector agrees with me. However I do want to be safe. Is this a valid concern?
Can an Indoor Wood Boiler Be Placed Next to A Propane Boiler?
- Thread starter heat4steve
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stee6043
Minister of Fire
Many of us (myself included) have our wood burners in the same room with propane/natural gas furnaces or boilers. Natural gas or propane leaks are less than desirable whether or not you have wood burning in the area...
Chris S
New Member
By that logic a propane water heater would not be allowed next to a propane boiler either.
Whatever you do - do it according to code, have it inspected & cya
Whatever you do - do it according to code, have it inspected & cya
Northwoodsman
New Member
There are many. many people who have a wood boiler in the basement with a propane boiler/furnace as back up nearby.
Regarding the propane leak ignition concern, a non-explosive proof switch or light fixture (which is what is in all residential basements/houses) will have more of a chance at igniting the propane fumes than will a wood boiler which is sealed.
I recently toured the Effecta boiler company in Sweden and have attached a few photos of there test labs where they have three boilers (2 wood and 1 pellet) running 24/7 as ongoing test units. They have a gas back up system in this same room.
NWM
Regarding the propane leak ignition concern, a non-explosive proof switch or light fixture (which is what is in all residential basements/houses) will have more of a chance at igniting the propane fumes than will a wood boiler which is sealed.
I recently toured the Effecta boiler company in Sweden and have attached a few photos of there test labs where they have three boilers (2 wood and 1 pellet) running 24/7 as ongoing test units. They have a gas back up system in this same room.
NWM
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Frozen Canuck
Minister of Fire
heat4steve said:
Essentially this will come down to local building & fire codes in your area. (Dont worry this is usually the case). Make sure you check with them & you are in possession of the pertinant piece of the code before you proceed.
DO NOT do your install based on what Tom, Dick or Harry said as this will be of little comfort when you are forced to tear it all out & start over.
Also check the code books for space between termination of chimneys (above the roof) as this distance will be specified in your code based on fuel type & other factors.
My local codes treat liquid fuels (propane & oil) differently than nat gas, yours may too.
Check it out, get the code info you need, then go to work knowing that you are doing it right. Hope this helps. Have fun ;-)
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