Say you stick a 6" pipe through a wall inside a 10" metal thimble. Would it be better to leave the difference in space open air or would putting ceramic blanket insulation in it be better? I would think the latter, what think ye?
Hypothetical question
- Thread starter opusthe2nd
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Is this a tested thimble or just 10" pipe? Stove pipe can not pass through a wall without a proper thimble that assures safe protections of combustibles.
We would need more details of your hypothetical situation to give you accurate advice.
There is nothing else. I am just wondering if it is better having the 4" difference air or insulation.
On the stove side, keeping heat in the stove pipe is ALWAYS better than not. On the house/wall side, adding the insulation would not make the air space less effective. So yes, without a doubt the ceramic insulation would be 'better'.
Though just remember you can't trade the blanket for the air space...air space needs to remain the same regardless.
Though just remember you can't trade the blanket for the air space...air space needs to remain the same regardless.
Hullspeed
Member
It's a great question! Insulation sounds good, but do you also need some free flowing airspace to allow some of the heat that leaks through the insulation to exit - in order to prevent it from slowly building up against combustible material? It seems like a combination would be best, but if you had to pick one or the other alone, which would it be?
I think a little of both would be an improvement over just one or the other. Maybe wrap the pipe in ceramic and then allow air outside of that?
jetsam
Minister of Fire
You are asking a real question about a situation some people actually have. So we are giving you the real answer. Hypothetical or not there are codes for a reason. And that reason is to make sure things are done safely
Totally understood, but I was asking about the science of it all not the legal ramifications, which is why I said "hypothetical". Trust me, I have seen way worse situations than what I queried. No wonder so many buildings burn down!
I see worse all the time. But there is a very real possibility of someone reading about your hypothetical situation and thinking that is the right way to do it. Which is why we were very clear that it was not the right way.
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