Heating Stove Installation
Antique Wood-Burning Heating Stove:
Installation guidelines desrcibed on this page have been provided by the National Fire Protection Association. The NFPA standards are the basis for many local codes. These guidelines state that a wood-burning stove, heating stove must be located a mimimum of 36 inches from unprotected woodwork and other combustible materials or furniture. The addition of a heat shield or other protective devices, to the wall or the stove, allows a reduction of those distances by 50% to a distance of 18 inches from a combustible wall and 9 inches from a noncombustible wall. The wood-burning stove needs to be vented. This is done through a class-A, double-walled chimney.
Antique Heating Stove with a Gas Conversion:
An antique heating stove with a gas conversion must conform to the clearances for a wood-burning stove (above), maintaining a minimum distances of 9 inches from a non-combustible wall when a heat shield is in place. The converted heating stove needs to be vented. This is done through a class-B, single-walled chimney. Set ups to Propane (LPG) and Natural Gas available on all models. With a gas conversion the total BTU ranges from 28,000 to 45,000.
Antique Heating Stove with an Electric Conversion?
An antique heating stove with an electric conversion must conform to the clearances for a wood-burning stove (above), maintaining a minimum distances of 9 inches from a non-combustible wall when a heat shield is in place. The eletcric converted heating stove does NOT need to be vented. With a gas conversion the maximum BTU output is 38,000.
Kitchen Cook Stove Installation
Antique Wood-Burning Kitchen Cook Stove:
An antique wood-burning kitchen cook stove must be located a mimimum of 36 inches from unprotected woodwork and other combustible materials or furniture. The addition of a heat shield or other protective devices, to the wall or the stove, allows a reduction of those distances by 50% to a distance of 18 inches from a combustible wall and 9 inches from a noncombustible wall. The wood-burning stove needs to be vented. This is done through a class-A, double-walled chimney.
Antique Cooking Stove with a Gas Conversion?
An antique cooking stove that has been set up with gas does not require any clearance space. The stove is completed insulated and emits no heat. These stoves do not need to be vented. Set ups to Propane (LPG) and Natural Gas available on all models.
Antique Cooking Stove with an Electric Conversion?
An antique cooking stove that has been set up with electric does not require any clearance space. The stove is completed insulated and emits no heat. These stoves do not need to be vented. Set ups include standard 220 Volts, 50 AMPS.
What are the clearance requirements for installation of an antique cooking stove with a gas or electric conversion?
An antique cooking stove that has been set up with gas or electric does not require any clearance space. The stove is completed insulated and emits no heat. These stoves do not need to be vented.
EPA Regulation, UL Listing, & Insurance
EPA Regulations:
Antique heaters and ranges were manufactured before the establishment of EPA standards and have therefore been provided exemption from EPA regulation. The antique stove is exempt from EPA regulation.
UL Listings:
Antique stoves, including those sold by Good Time Stove Company, are not UL listed. To achieve this certification, each stove must be individually tested and this is a very expensive and impracticle process that, as a as a small business, precludes us from offering this metric. In the event that a stove is an antique, if it lacks an operator's manual or if it otherwise lacks UL listing, most localities defer to the safety and installation guidelines for wood stove installation as provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These guidelines are enumerated in the information and illustrations on this page. Because all state and local codes differ, you will need to check your local codes speficically.
Will my home owner's insurance be affected by the installation of an antique stove?
Currently, there is no uniform national policy for insurance firms regarding stove installation. All insurance companies stress the importance of safe installations, even though they do not inspect heating systems on their own. That job is usually left to the local building inspector. Ordinarily, there are no changes in insurance policy premiums due to the addition of a properly installed stove, although some companies impose a surcharge. However, if the appliance is improperly installed, it may be considered an unreasonable added risk, and the insurance policy can be cancelled. Because of potential conflict with an insurance company it is advisable to notify your insurance agent before you purchase or install a stove.
PROTECTING SURROUNDINGS
WALLS, FLOORS, & CEILING
How do I prepare my floors for protection and safety?
Protect combustible floors from radiant stove heat, flying sparks, and hot ashes by extending the material used to protect the floor. Non-combustible materials commonly used to improve the appearance of the installation, such as stone, tile, brick or marble chips can be place over the basic NFPA recommended materials.
| Recommended Floor Protection |
| Distance between Floor and Base of Stove |
Recommended Protection |
| Stove has less than 2 inches of open space beneath the fire chamber or base. |
May not be placed on floors of combustible construction. |
| Stove has 2 to 6 inches of open space beneath the tire chamber or base. |
Protect combustible floors with 4 inches of hollow masonry block, laid with ends unsealed and joints matched to allow air circulation. The masonry must extend 18 inches on all sides of the unit and be covered with 24-gauge sheet metal. |
| Stove has legs that provide over 6 inches of open space beneath the fire chamber or base. |
Protect combustible floors with 2 inches thick closely spaced brick, concrete or stone. The masonry must extend 18 inches on all sides of the appliance and be covered by 24-gauge sheet metal. |
| Adapted from the American National Standard ANSI/NFPA 2 1 1, Feb. 1984 |
How do I prepare my walls and ceilings for protection and safety?
The 36" clearance between the stove and combustibles can be reduced considerably if the walls and ceilings are protected with mineral fiber, masonry, or 24 gauge sheet metal spaced out 1 inch from the combustible wall. The space allows air to circulate behind the panel to cool the wall. The spacers must be made of non-combustible material, such as a stack of washers, small diameter pipe, electrical conduit or tubing. Ceramic fence insulators, stacked washers, or a small-diameter pipe will work well, but don't use copper or aluminum because it will conduct too much heat. Click here for a chart of the National Fire Protection Association's suggestions for wall protection.
Nail or screw the panel to the wall studs through the hole in the center of the spacer. Use a screw and spacer every 16 inches horizontally and vertically, but do not use any directly behind the stove or connector. Mount the panel 2 inches off the floor, leaving the top and bottom edges open to allow for air circulation.
| Recommended Wall and Ceiling Protections & Clearances |
| Protection Materials |
Recommended Clearance
from Walls |
Recommended Clearance
from Ceiling |
| None |
36 inch |
36 inch |
| 3 1/2 inch thick Masonry (brick) wall without ventilated air space |
24 inch |
Does not Apply |
| 1/2 inch thick non-combustible insulationboard over 1" mineral wool batts, without ventilated air space |
18 inch |
24 inch |
| 24-gauge sheet metal with or without insulated backing and with ventilated air space |
12 inch |
18 inch |
| 3 1/2 inch thick masonry (brick) wall with ventilated air space |
12 inch |
Does not Apply |
| 1/2 inch thick non-combustible insulation board with ventilated air space |
12 inch |
18 inch |
| Adapted from the American National Standard ANSI/NFPA 2 1 1, Feb. 1984 |
What does a proper stove installation look like?
All wood burning stoves and ranges must be placed a minimum of 36 inch from combustible surfaces or 18" from non-combustible surfaces. The addition of a heat shield reduces these distances by one-half. Allow a one-inch clearance between rear wall and protective, non-combustible materials for air circulation. Allow at least 18" between the top of the chimney protector and the ceiling or other combustible material.
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