A wood heating system requires as much or more attention than an oil or gas heating unit. The complete wood heating system should be inspected. This includes the (a) wood heater, (b) stovepipe, (c) chimney, and chimney flue liner. The interior walls of all these parts should be brushed to remove creosote deposits before inspection. Creosote is a highly flammable material and is the leading cause of fires from wood heating.

THE WOOD HEATER Check the interior walls of your wood burner for cracks in the firebox. These should be sealed with a fire-resistant paste or caulking, or welded to prevent sparks or coals from escaping. Cracks or separation of welded joints should also be repaired. Stove doors should be checked for warping or cracks. The drafts and seals should be replaced to insure an air-tight seal.

ELECTRICAL WIRING. Inspect the electrical wiring for fans or blowers on fireplaces and wood heaters. Defective wiring should be replaced. A heat-resistant lubricant should be used to lubricate moving parts when and where required.

STOVE PIPE. The stovepipe or connector from the stove to the chimney flue is a potentially dangerous fire hazard. Rusted or weakened stove pipes should be replaced. Pipe joints should be inspected to insure they are tightly sealed. Apply a fire-resistant pipe cement to seal the joints. This material should be available at a local hardware or woodstove retailer.

Pay special attention to elbows. This is the most likely place where creosote will accumulate, and will be the first place in the pipe where a hole will appear. Replace if needed. Closely inspect where the pipe goes through walls, ceilings, and into chimneys. Look for brown, charred, or cracked walls near the pipe. Evidence of this indicates the pipe gets too hot when burning. Make sure there is at least 18 inches of noncombustible material around a 6-inch thimble passing through a wall.

SAFE DISTANCES. Check to find out if your wood heater is a safe distance from combustible walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, and draperies. A minimum of three (3) feet (36 inches) is required by the State Building Code. A shorter distance of 18" to 24" is permitted if the surface is protected by an approved noncombustible material like UL approved fire stove mats or wall boards. Brick and concrete block walls are also suitable noncombustible materials which can be used.

Contact your COUNTY EXTENSION AGENT for more information about wood heating and wood heating safety.

Revised 2/16/2006.