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  1. CJH New Member

    joined: Nov 7, 2012
    7 posts
    I have a woodstove that vents straight up through the floor into a large walk in closed then straight up through the roof from there. I have had it unhooked (stovepipe gone) for a number of years and want to re-install the stovepipe. We always had double wall stovepipe going through the closet up through the roof. I am told now that current code requires boxing in the pipe with studs and drywall. I am very hesitant to wall in the stovepipe. Does anyone else have an installation like this?
    #1

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  2. firefighterjake Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 22, 2008
    13,526 posts
    Unity/Bangor, Maine
    Seems to me I've seen someone here that even posted pics of their chimney going through a closet . . . have you tried a search using the term "closet"?
  3. oldspark Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 16, 2010
    5,117 posts
    North West Iowa
    It has to be class A pipe to do this, is it?
  4. CJH New Member

    joined: Nov 7, 2012
    7 posts
    I have to get all new pipe so I can really get whatever I need but I just don't like the idea of boxing it in - seems to me that drywall would be too close. From what I have read the clearance only needs to be 2 " if it is double wall pipe. Plus - I don't have all that much room in the closet to allow much more than that.
    I really liked having it open before when I had it hooked up because I could keep the closet open and get a little warmth even though the stove pipe was barely warm to the touch.
  5. oldspark Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 16, 2010
    5,117 posts
    North West Iowa
    Well regular double wall pipe wont work but class A pipe will, my chimney pipe is boxed in (not a closet) and no problems what so ever, I just followed the manufactors specs.
  6. 3fordasho Feeling the Heat

    joined: Jul 20, 2007
    433 posts
    South Central Minnesota
    Should be boxed in with 2" clearance to combustables (class A insulated). If you don't box it in - what is to prevent someone stacking boxes, shoes or cloths right up against the pipe?

    Sure in normal operation it's just warm to the touch, but in the event of a chimney fire ??

    If code allows you could leave a opening (covered with a grate) on the top and bottom of the boxed in section to allow some air flow.


    Backwoods Savage and pen like this.
  7. Jackfre New Member

    joined: Oct 3, 2011
    71 posts
    N CA
    As noted, there must be a 2" clearance around the pipe. When I was representing a chimney manuf I got a call from a lady with a chimney problem. The system was as you describe, up thru a 2nd story closet. I found the source of the problem but in inspecting the system, found that she had clothes pushed right against stack. They were burned but had not combusted. She was lucky and threw a fit. She wanted new clothes;) Box it in.
    Backwoods Savage likes this.
  8. CJH New Member

    joined: Nov 7, 2012
    7 posts
    I get your point - even if I don't stack things against it - something could fall against it. Is there a special kind of drywall that should be used that is less flammable? It just seems that drywall is so, well, dry and would be subject to catching fire. I am sorry if this is sounding stupid - but I live in a log home with almost no drywall anywhere and where I do have it (in a few closets) it just seems like if I boxed in something warm - the drywall would eventually become brittle and combustible.
  9. oldspark Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 16, 2010
    5,117 posts
    North West Iowa
    If its in a closet why not use something else if you do not want the drywall.
  10. CJH New Member

    joined: Nov 7, 2012
    7 posts
    Any suggestions? I also guess I need to find out if the code in my state (ohio) requires drywall or just enclosing.
  11. oldspark Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 16, 2010
    5,117 posts
    North West Iowa
    I used some heavy duty paneling, plywood with the one nice side, up to you for the look you want but since its in a closet that may not be a big deal.
  12. pen Super Moderator

    joined: Aug 2, 2007
    6,096 posts
    N.E. Penna
    The pipe needs to be 2 inches from combustibles (period). Just keep your studs at least 2 inches from the pipe, and drywall as normal. If you want, you could add some louvers or a grate of some sort so you could see into this space.

    pen
  13. oldspark Minister of Fire

    joined: Feb 16, 2010
    5,117 posts
    North West Iowa
    Yes pen is right, not sure why you think drywall is not a good choice.
  14. CJH New Member

    joined: Nov 7, 2012
    7 posts
    Thanks to all for the information. Since it is in a closet and I don't truly care about how it looks I guess I do have a lot of options of what I could use (as long as the building code doesn't restrict me).
  15. CJH New Member

    joined: Nov 7, 2012
    7 posts
    Only because of a heat source a few inches away from it. I don't know why - but that just seems like it would be a problem - but I guess from all your comments it is nothing to be concerned about.
  16. firefighterjake Minister of Fire

    joined: Jul 22, 2008
    13,526 posts
    Unity/Bangor, Maine
    Combustibles are combustibles . . . and clearances are clearances . . . just be sure to make the clearances . . . and box it in for the aforementioned reasons.

    As far as drywall . . . seeing as sheetrock is often used as a fire barrier . . . I think it would be pretty safe. If you were really, really concerned you could always go with Durock or another type of cement board which has no paper backing . . . not very pretty to look at though without any tile or stone on it.
  17. lopiliberty Minister of Fire

    joined: Oct 7, 2011
    565 posts
    Mineral County, WV
    My setup is the same as yours. Mine is closed in with regular walls and a door just like a closet within a closet. During burning season I usually leave the door open an inch or two to let the heat out
  18. DAKSY Super Moderator

    Your local AHJ will tell you that anything that runs thru that closet will
    (1) have to be Class A chimney - NOT stovepipe &
    (2) it will have to be boxed in if it's in the living area. Yeah, I know, no
    body lives in a closet except Harry Potter, but that's still living space.
    You can always box it with metal studs & concrete board, but you have
    to cover it some how...
  19. CJH New Member

    joined: Nov 7, 2012
    7 posts
    That is a good idea - so somehow hinge one wall so that it could be opened both for access to the pipe if needed and to allow heat out.

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