Fresh Air Supply Question

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Wyatt

New Member
Dec 2, 2005
20
Whatcom County, WA
Last time I owned a wood stove (mid 80's) there were no requirement for supplying fresh air to the stoves here in WA. So fast forward, I now live in a brand new house and plan on installing a Jotul Castine on a second floor inside wall and have really no way of ducting outside air to the stove short of ripping up the ceiling of the first floor. I understand installing without air may be breaking local codes, but I wonder if it's so important why do other states not require it? I'm not willing to risk lives, but is this more for pollution control or something that would be outright dangerous if not installed? Also if not needed, do I cap the inlet on the stove or just let it be.

Thanks,

Wyatt
 
download the manual and read it to see if it is required I doubt it is. However what room are you installing the stove in?
 
Washington state code requires it. I doubt you will be able to get it approved through inspection and your home owners insurance might have a problem with that. Not sure what you can do but maybe talk to your local community code enforcement.
 
The upstairs is only 1000sf (700 which is kitchen and family area all open) and the remaining is 2 bedrooms. The stove is at the end of the living room and will be on the wall that seperates one bedrooms from the open area. I also wonder about the pipe I was sold! Its all double wall since I wanted minimal stand off from the back wall, but I notice the pipe that goes from the stove to the ceiling has vertical slits in it. Maybe 3 inches long (don't have it in front of me). Dealer said it's better cause it gives off heat which sound ok, but then it really isnt double wall is it? FYI, I think it is Hersey pipe out of Canada! I will download the manual as you suggested Elk. Thanks
 
WAC 51-13-402 Solid fuel burning appliances and fireplaces.

402.1 General: Solid fuel burning appliances and fireplaces shall satisfy one of the following criteria.

402.2 Solid Fuel Burning Appliances: Solid fuel burning appliances shall be provided with the following:

a) Tight fitting metal or ceramic glass doors.

b) 1. A source from outside the structure of primary combustion air, connected to the appliance as per manufacturer's specification. The air inlet shall originate at a point below the fire box. The duct shall be 4 inches or greater in diameter, not exceed 20 feet in length, and be installed as per manufacturer's instructions;

or


2. The appliance and manufacturer's recommended combustion air supply, as an installed unit, shall be certified by an independent testing laboratory to have passed Test No. 11 - Negative Pressure Test, Section 12.3, of ULC S627-M1984 "Space Heaters for Use with Solid Fuels," modified as follows:

A) Negative pressure of 8 Pascal shall be initially established with the chamber sealed and the air supply, if not directly connected to the appliance, closed off.

B) The air supply, if not directly connected to the appliance, shall then be opened.

C) The maximum allowable air exchange rate from chamber leakage and intentional air supply for the unit (appliance with combustion air supply) in the test chamber is 3.5 air changes per hour, or 28 cfm (cubic feet of air per minute), whichever is less.

EXCEPTION: Combustion air may be supplied to the room in which the solid fuel burning appliance is located in lieu of direct ducting, provided that one of the following conditions is met:

1) The solid fuel burning appliance is part of a central heating plant and installed in an unconditioned space in conformance with the Uniform Mechanical Code; or

2) The solid fuel burning appliance is installed in existing construction directly on a concrete floor or surrounded by masonry materials as in a fireplace.

The combustion air terminus shall be located as close to the solid fuel burning appliance as possible and shall be provided with a barometric damper or equivalent. The combustion air source shall be specified by the manufacturer or no less than four (4) inches in diameter or the equivalent in area or as approved.

402.3 Fireplaces: Fireplaces shall be provided with each of the following:

a) Tightly fitting flue dampers, operated by a readily accessible manual or approved automatic control.

EXCEPTION: Fireplaces with gas logs shall be installed in accordance with the Uniform Mechanical Code section 901.

b) An outside source for combustion air ducted into the firebox. The duct shall be at least six (6) square inches, and shall be provided with an operable outside air duct damper.

EXCEPTION: Washington certified fireplaces shall be installed with the combustion air systems necessary for their safe and efficient combustion and specified by the manufacturer in accordance with the Washington state UBC Standard 31-2 (WAC 51-40-31200) and UBC section 3102.5.4 (WAC 51-40-3102).

c) Site built fireplaces shall have tight fitting glass or metal doors, or a flue draft induction fan, or as approved for minimizing back-drafting. Factory built fireplaces shall use doors listed for the installed appliance.

402.4 Masonry Heaters: Masonry heaters shall be approved by the department of ecology and shall contain both of the following:

a) Primary combustion air ducted from the outside of the structure to the appliance.

b) Tight fitting ceramic glass or metal doors. Flue damper, when provided, shall have an external control and when in the closed position shall have a net free area of not less than five percent of the flue cross sectional area.
 
Elk - Thanks for taking the time to look-up the WAC. I feel like a heel asking for help when I should be doing the leg work. Looks like I would be in violation since I won't be on concrete or surrounded by masonry. What are the real world concerns for not have an outside air source? I do have windows with vents to supply air to the room, but I know that's not the same. My inspector has been very easy to work with, but if it's a safety thing - like your signature says...
 
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