wood boiler barometric damper

[Wood Pirate]

I am currently installing my New Yorker Wood Boiler.
The instructions show a barometric damper on the flue.

It has a 6" flue that exits the back. I could put the damper but am not sure what exactly it will do. It scares me to have an area that could be open that close to an open flame.

I will primarily be burning wood. Would like to try coal one day for the heck of it.

Does anyone have an opinion on this? Thanks.

 

[steam man]

This probably belongs in the boiler room but here's my 2 cents. I believe new Yorker wants the damper installed to keep the draft below a set limit. Not sure what it is-1" or less. This is to prevent excess draft and overfiring. The other side of the coin is that some people think it would feed a chimney fire with air. I would probably make an airtight cover to fit over it in case of a chimney fire. My dad had one on his and I can't ever remember flames coming out of the damper. The damper is supppose to prevent situations like that. Just make sure you always keep a load on the is boiler and don't let it smolder. Use it on cold days only, especially without storage, and learn how to maintain it regularly.

Mike