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About Wood Heat

Source:  Insurance Bureau of Canada
http://www.ibc.ca

Heating with wood can be a very satisfying experience. There's nothing quite like the warm glow of a wood fire on a cold winter's night. But are you sure that your wood heat system is as safe as it could be?

Ideas about wood heat safety have changed a lot over the last ten years. Until recently, it was often hard to get good advice on how to install a wood heating system safely. That is no longer the case!

There's been considerable research into what makes for a safe wood heat installation, and there is now an official code that specifies exactly how wood heat appliances should be installed. Most new appliances are tested to recognized standards and come with reliable installation instructions. Wood heat appliance retailers, installers and inspectors are now able to attend training and certification programs. They can give you up-to-date advice on safe installation if you are buying an appliance or upgrading your wood heat system.

If you already have a wood heat appliance, you should have it inspected to make sure it meets current guidelines.  There's a whole team of people in your community - including your fire department, building inspector, wood heat retailer and chimney sweep - who can help you make sure that your installation is safe.

Arranging an Inspection: If you're installing a new chimney or wood heating appliance, or if you're replacing one wood stove with another, you'll probably need to get a building permit from your municipality. If that's the case, the building inspector may automatically inspect your installation as part of the service.

If you want to have an existing wood heat installation inspected, call your local fire department. The fire department doesn't just fight fires - they're also concerned with preventing fires by helping you reduce all types of fire risk in the home. Your fire department may be able to do the inspection themselves, or they may recommend a complete inspection by a certified installer or chimney sweep.

How's Your Insurance?

Nothing's worse than having an accident or fire and finding out that your insurance doesn't cover what you thought it did. Comprehensive insurance is part of wood heat safety, and making your wood heat system safer ensures you the best possible premium for your insurance.

Is your home insurance policy up-to-date? What exactly does it cover? To answer these questions, call your insurance agent or broker. Get a review of your policy and coverage to make sure it's up-to-date.

Inform your insurance agent or broker whenever you make any change to your wood heat system. This includes adding or changing a wood stove, modifying a chimney - anything that may influence the safety of your wood heat system. Such changes may affect your policy's coverage.

Tools:

Make sure your home is equipped with working smoke alarms. Add an extra alarm near the exit to the room where your wood heat appliance is located. It can give early warning of smoke from chimney blockage or from something smouldering close to your appliance.

Keep a fire extinguisher within easy reach of your wood heat appliance - but not too close! Use an all-purpose and approved (ABC) fire extinguisher. Fire departments recommend a 4 or 5 lb - 2A-10BC system. To be sure that it will work when you need it, check it every month for any loss in pressure or noticeable damage and follow the manufacturer's maintenance instructions. Be sure to read the label carefully before using it.

A flue gas thermometer can tell you if the temperature of your appliance's flue is within the safe range specified by the manufacturer. Ask a certified professional to explain how these work.

Keep heat proof gloves near your appliance. If a log rolls out of the firebox, the fastest way to get it off the floor and back into the appliance is to pick it up - as long as you've got the gloves on!

Child guards are designed to keep small children away from hot stoves. A certified professional can give you suggestions. Make sure any guard you use is made from non-combustible material.

Keep It Safe!

A safe installation will only stay safe if you operate and maintain it properly.
Check the chimney and flue pipe often for creosote. Clean them regularly - or have them cleaned by a certified professional annually.

Use properly seasoned wood and follow proper burning techniques to minimize creosote production.

Check flue pipes for corrosion at least once a year - late spring, at the end of the heating season, is a good time. Replace any pipes that are beginning to corrode. Don't wait until there are holes - it may be too late!

Use a covered metal bucket for ashes. Store it carefully -- either outside, or on a concrete floor well away from walls or anything that could burn.

Check the door latches, hinges and gaskets of your appliance regularly to be sure they are tight.
Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your appliance.

Copyright © 1998 Insurance Bureau of Canada


Click here to Visit Wood Energy Technology Transfer Inc. (WETT Inc.)

WETT is a non-profit training and education association managed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by holders of valid WETT certificates. WETT Inc. functions as the national registrar of the Wood Energy Technical Training (WETT) program. Through professional training and public education, WETT Inc. promotes the safe and effective use of woodburning systems in Canada.