P38 In the Garage

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Dan Zemcik

New Member
May 27, 2013
1
Thief River Falls MN
I am considering a Harman P38 to be used in my workshop. The shop is about 700 sq ft and the insulation is ok. I live in Northern Minnesota as well. I am concerned that the stove will go out when it sits for a while after the thermostat is satisfied. Like when I would not be in there and the heat is turned down to say 45-50. Or can the stove burn a few pellets here and there and keep it self lit? I would rather have a pellet stove than a propane furnace if possible. Thanks for any input!
 
How long do you think you'll be away? More than a couple of days? You've gotta get in these pellets stoves a couple times a week for preventive maintenance - like scraping the burn pot & heat exchanges for example... If you don't want to be there for that then maybe you should think about LP. On the other hand, if you're only gonna be away for hours, go up a step to the P43 & maybe even add a hopper extension. It has an auto-ignite system & as long as there are pellets in the hopper, you'll be fine.
 
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The longest I can run my P-38 is approx 36 hrs and thats on real low but as Daksy wrote you could add a larger hopper to extend that time .
That all said, I`d seriously consider a stove with auto start. My P38 is manual start.
 
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NFPA 211 prohibits the use of solid fuel heaters in garages and shops etc...unless the unit is listed and approved for such use. A technicality, yes, but there is a difference between doing it yourself and be paid to do it for others. I know the PF100 furnace is approved for shop use...not sure about the P Series. The furnace I will install in a garage/ shop, others I cannot.
 
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I am considering a Harman P38 to be used in my workshop. The shop is about 700 sq ft and the insulation is ok. I live in Northern Minnesota as well. I am concerned that the stove will go out when it sits for a while after the thermostat is satisfied. Like when I would not be in there and the heat is turned down to say 45-50. Or can the stove burn a few pellets here and there and keep it self lit? I would rather have a pellet stove than a propane furnace if possible. Thanks for any input!



I have a pellet stove in my shed/workshop and I would prefer to have it go off rather than to get too hot. I snapped up a Quadrafire Sante Fe with a T-Stat fairly cheap and rebuilt it. It works great!
The Quad keeps the workshop a steady 70 Degs and is real stingy on the pellets with the insulation and all.

You can even put a toggle switch upstairs so you can snap on the t-stat before you go to the garage so it will be waiting cozily for you! :)
 
NFPA 211 prohibits the use of solid fuel heaters in garages and shops etc...unless the unit is listed and approved for such use. A technicality, yes, but there is a difference between doing it yourself and be paid to do it for others. I know the PF100 furnace is approved for shop use...not sure about the P Series. The furnace I will install in a garage/ shop, others I cannot.


paragraph 12.2.4 to be exact
NFPA 211, 12.2.4 Solid fuel burning appliances shall not be installed in any residential or commercial garage. This is due to flammable vapors and gasoline.

However if it is not a garage anymore, then it is ok.
 
paragraph 12.2.4 to be exact
NFPA 211, 12.2.4 Solid fuel burning appliances shall not be installed in any residential or commercial garage. This is due to flammable vapors and gasoline.

However if it is not a garage anymore, then it is ok.
Attaboy Don! I with you 100% on this one. My rear garage/workshop is listed on my homeowners insurance policy as an outbuilding.and I`ve got my 25 PDVC in it .
I don`t need the local Nazi gov`t. telling me what it is , what I can put in it , or attempting to assume what is my personal responsibility .
 
What makes the units approved for garage use any different? Or did they just actually test them to get approval.
 
Attaboy Don! I with you 100% on this one. My rear garage/workshop is listed on my homeowners insurance policy as an outbuilding.and I`ve got my 25 PDVC in it .
I don`t need the local Nazi gov`t. telling me what it is , what I can put in it , or attempting to assume what is my personal responsibility .
I hear you. But if that shop or garage or whatever it is goes up in flames...for whatever reason and it doesn't have anything to do with the stove...the installer who put it in there is going to be investigated. That's why it shouldn't be done. If you want to put it in there and assume the responsibility, knock yourself out. Just kinda adding that rule out there for those who plan on putting something like that in their shop that isn't ready to assume that responsibility.
 
I hear you. But if that shop or garage or whatever it is goes up in flames...for whatever reason and it doesn't have anything to do with the stove...the installer who put it in there is going to be investigated. That's why it shouldn't be done. If you want to put it in there and assume the responsibility, knock yourself out. Just kinda adding that rule out there for those who plan on putting something like that in their shop that isn't ready to assume that responsibility.

Scott, Lets not put the fear of God into this. I see no big trend in garage fires caused by pellet stoves. Garages will burn as long as they are built from wood regardless of how they are heated , and the same for houses.

We all understand the safety end of it and the need for some reasonable municipal regs. However some laws, and ordinances regulating what we can or can not do are constantly increasing and they tend to infringe upon our personal rights not to mention they are a huge burden on the taxpayers , difficult to enforce , and in many cases an outright overreach of power and authority in my book . Personally I don`t particularly like some bureacratic city inspector coming onto my property and telling me what I can or can`t do in my garage or workshop or looking for me to help foot his salary with a permit fee.
Were being treated like a society of morons dependant on those in higher authority and political positions to direct the ways we live our lives.
Electrical fires caused by faulty mat`l`s , installation, and folks overloading inadequate circuits cause plenty of fires but I can`t recall anyone ever being investigated or prosecuted for it around here unless it`s a case of suspected arson.
 
I just want to add that misinterpreting these safety fire codes can also lead to over regulations!
 
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Shy of anything but electric heat, I doubt there is any open flame safe where combustibles are kept. That being said, I would have to tell you I don't know of anyone who heats their garage with electricity. Here in Maine, the wood stove is the most common garage heater. I know there are garage fires from time to time, but I don't think the are more frequent than house fires.
 
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Shy of anything but electric heat, I doubt there is any open flame safe where combustibles are kept. That being said, I would have to tell you I don't know of anyone who heats their garage with electricity. Here in Maine, the wood stove is the most common garage heater. I know there are garage fires from time to time, but I don't think the are more frequent than house fires.
Exactly, That's the gist of the whole thing. And not a whole lot different than the political hacks who choose to grandstand and play on the emotions of the day from a few ignorant uninformed individuals bent on expanding gun regulations that never worked well from day one.
The fact is we have too many over paid folks in office overregulating our lives as it is and sadder yet, some folks who seem to enjoy succumbing to their drivel .
 
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I hear you. But if that shop or garage or whatever it is goes up in flames...for whatever reason and it doesn't have anything to do with the stove...the installer who put it in there is going to be investigated. That's why it shouldn't be done. If you want to put it in there and assume the responsibility, knock yourself out. Just kinda adding that rule out there for those who plan on putting something like that in their shop that isn't ready to assume that responsibility.

Scott, hate to tell you, but you're wasting your time talking safety with that guy (Don2222).

Tom
 
How in the WORLD did you get a P38 in your garage????

p38.jpg
 
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you know, as licensed professionals, we pretty much have to follow the prevailing codes and/or manufacturer's instructions. Sometimes, there's a bit of leeway, but not in the "pellet stove installed in the garage" situation. It just isn't worth the risk....(fire, litigation, lawyer....etc)
 
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