NFPA 211 as pertains to wood stove instalation in Delaware pole barn

[Bigguy5519]

Well just had the rug pulled from under my feet here in Delaware. A very reputable stove shop here in our state informed me that it is illegal to install a solid fuel heat source in a shop, garage, or out building that contains any sort of gas container, equipment or vehicles that run on said fuel. I was told that insurance carriers here in our state will not cover my building if there were to be a fire reguardles of the source. Never heard of such a thing. I was told I can install gas or oil heat but not solid fuel if I want to maintain coverage. Reznor, modine,waste oil propane or regular oil burner but not wood or wood pellets or coal. Have any of the members ever heard of such a thing? I would like to get your feedback on this subject since I was ready to pull the trigger this weekend. Thanks Mark

 

[Highbeam]

Well just had the rug pulled from under my feet here in Delaware. A very reputable stove shop here in our state informed me that it is illegal to install a solid fuel heat source in a shop, garage, or out building that contains any sort of gas container, equipment or vehicles that run on said fuel. I was told that insurance carriers here in our state will not cover my building if there were to be a fire reguardles of the source. Never heard of such a thing. I was told I can install gas or oil heat but not solid fuel if I want to maintain coverage. Reznor, modine,waste oil propane or regular oil burner but not wood or wood pellets or coal. Have any of the members ever heard of such a thing? I would like to get your feedback on this subject since I was ready to pull the trigger this weekend. Thanks Mark

I went through this with my 1800 sf pole barn that has three 12x12' overhead doors. Your stove shop sells stoves, his opinion is irrelevant. You need to satisfy the agency that will give you the permit as well as your insurance company. Start with the permit, just call and ask. If you get the green light then call your insurance company and tell them you want to install a legal, permitted, inspected heater in your detached storage building.

Remember that this is not a garage. It's a storage building, workshop, or shop but not a garage.

I got the ahj green light but had to switch insurance companies to another national insurer that was happy to insure the house and shop with woodstoves.

 

[mellow]

Must have been Bylers, they are correct. As highbeam said, give your insurance a call as they will be the one covering you.

 

[Bigguy5519]

Must have been Bylers, they are correct. As highbeam said, give your insurance a call as they will be the one covering you.

Hi mellow seems like your in my area since you knew the dealers name in Dover. I sure would like to chat about this problem and see if you know any way around it other than my insurance provider. State Farm did say they don't care what type of heater I put in as long as it is done right. They stated they would cover me without a problem. I said that's great but I want it in writing, copy for me and one in my file that I sign as well as them. Let me know if you have a minute to talk some time. Mark

 

[begreen]

Find the local inspecting authority that will inspect and sign off on your installation and request the applicable regs for your installation. Some jurisdictions will allow a detached garage or shop installation if the stove is elevated 18" off the floor. Ask about variances.

 

[mellow]

Plenty of threads on here about shop installs, have you thought about doing it yourself? I don't think you have to have it inspected in your area.

 

[mellow]

I just did notice you have another thread about this, New to wood stoves and looking to buy a stove for my Pole Barn

I would put an NC 30 in there, do the install yourself if your insurance will allow it.

 

[bryan]

State Farm did say they don't care what type of heater I put in as long as it is done right.

I can tell you that up here in New Castle County State Farm didn't have an issue with my insert install. I called them to let them know I was having an insert installed wanted to know if they needed to inspect it etc etc. They said they didn't need to inspect anything. All they said was to take pictures so that if something happened to the stove that the stove would be covered by my policy. Given the hoops some on this board have gone through I was a bit taken back.

 

[Bigguy5519]

Just got off the phone with State Farm and they said if wood is not legal don't install one. So I have to call the County and try to get the regulation. Mark

 

[Mainely Saws]

My neighbor has a detached garage ( or workshop if you like ) & found out the same thing . If it has a garage door it is considered a garage & no solid fuel heaters are allowed . Also if you have a typical gas or oil heater it must be mounted a min. of 24" above the floor . The concern is about flammable vapors that collect near the floor ...............

 

[mellow]

Have fun if you live in Sussex county.

 

[bryan]

"Sussex County uses the 2012 International Residential Code for single-family home construction and the 2012 International Building Code for multi-family and commercial construction projects."

From https://archive.org/stream/gov.law.icc.irc.2012/icc.irc.2012_djvu.txt

G2408.2 (305.3) Elevation of ignition source. Equipment and appliances having an ignition source shall be elevated such that the source of ignition is not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor in hazardous locations and public garages, private garages, repair garages, motor fuel-dispensing facilities and parking garages. For the purpose of this section, rooms or spaces that are not part of the living space of a dwelling unit and that communicate directly with a private garage through openings shall be considered to be part of the private garage.

also

G2408.3 (305.5) Private garages. Appliances located in private garages shall be installed with a minimum clearance of 6 feet (1 829 mm) above the floor.

That second one is quite damning. If you have it installed in a area that is in the barn but not accessible from inside the barn, ie its own room with its own air, you'd be allowed, but it wouldn't really be heating the barn then.

There is this: "Elevation of the ignition source is not required for appliances that are listed as flammable vapor ignition resistant." I don't know if there are any stoves that meet that requirement though.

 

[Bigguy5519]

"Sussex County uses the 2012 International Residential Code for single-family home construction and the 2012 International Building Code for multi-family and commercial construction projects."

From https://archive.org/stream/gov.law.icc.irc.2012/icc.irc.2012_djvu.txt

G2408.2 (305.3) Elevation of ignition source. Equipment and appliances having an ignition source shall be elevated such that the source of ignition is not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor in hazardous locations and public garages, private garages, repair garages, motor fuel-dispensing facilities and parking garages. For the purpose of this section, rooms or spaces that are not part of the living space of a dwelling unit and that communicate directly with a private garage through openings shall be considered to be part of the private garage.

also

G2408.3 (305.5) Private garages. Appliances located in private garages shall be installed with a minimum clearance of 6 feet (1 829 mm) above the floor.

That second one is quite damning. If you have it installed in a area that is in the barn but not accessible from inside the barn, ie its own room with its own air, you'd be allowed, but it wouldn't really be heating the barn then.

There is this: "Elevation of the ignition source is not required for appliances that are listed as flammable vapor ignition resistant." I don't know if there are any stoves that meet that requirement though.

Well it seems that State Farm doesn,t have a problem with a wood stove unless it is an exculision on my policy. In other words if they don't list it as prohibited they don't give a rats behind if I install the wood (solid fuel) stove. But if the county states it's not allowed in my barn then State Farm stated don't put it in. So if peter pays Paul and Mary wants a stove she's poop outta luck. Yes I could do it myself but if the county ever finds out I will br screwed. It just so happens that one of my neighbors is an ex county inspector and he doesn't miss a trick. He see's wood they will be there the next day. Thanks for all the info, Mark

 

[Bigguy5519]

State Farm says ok and if it's not prohibited (sp) on my infroce policy then it's ok with them they don't care what type of fuel it is. Now if the county happens to say no go then SF says no go. This is bull crap. The other concern I have is that my neighbor who is an ex county inspector and he sees smoke the county will be out the next day. Shame they can control your building heating system. Mark

 

[begreen]

Sounds like you are calling it a dead end? If so, maybe go and talk with your neighbor about this and see if he offers a solution? Don't act like you already know the regs, just tell him your insurance company says it's ok and you want to do it right. See what he would suggest.

 

[Highbeam]

So have you actually gone to your permit office, or called, and asked if they would permit a woodstove in your detached workshop? Don't assume that they will interpret the codes as you did. It is cost free and risk free to ask.

I sure love having a shop stove. I don't think it should have been permitted but it was. In my case state farm said no but farmers insurance said yes.