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Given the expected demands on fossil fuels (oil and gas) winter heating season, it is anticipated that many homeowners may seek to supplement the heating of their homes by using wood or other solid fuels this winter. Remember, you are bringing FIRE into your home by installing a solid fuel-burning appliance. Safety is imperative. The following information is intended to assist those considering using solid fuel-burning equipment and fireplaces to heat their. This Fact Sheet should not be used as a substitute for all applicable requirements of the Building Code, Boiler Regulations, or the Appliance Manufacturer’s installation, operation and maintenance requirements.

General Requirements

Solid fuel-burning appliances include: factory-built fireplaces, coal-burning appliances, wood stoves, wood pellet stoves, corn and nut shell-burning pellet stoves, wood-fired boilers and any other solid fuel-burning appliance intended to provide heat to a building or space within a building, as well as certain ancillary components such as factory-built chimneys, vent piping and certain specialized installation components for some products.

Solid fuel-burning appliances utilized within the dwelling must be:

1. Listed as tested in accordance with National Safety Standards and labeled for the intended use.
2. Placed a safe and established distance from combustible materials such as wood, draperies, furniture, carpets, wood flooring, etc..
3. Properly vented to the outside of the building. The appliance does not share a flue or vent with other appliances.
4. Installed and operated in accordance with all applicable Building Code requirements and those of the appliance manufacturer.
5. The Building Permit is obtained prior to installation; inspected by building official to ensure compliance with the Building Code and the building inspector has inspected the appliance after installation but before use.

*If you have any questions about properly installing a solid fuel-burning appliance, you should contact the Fire Marshal at 285-1971

** It is strongly recommended that smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms be installed

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