Woodstove Installation Guide for Home Owners
Wood stoves are free-standing space heating appliances used either as the principal source of heat for a home or to supplement conventional heating systems. A typical wood stove will hold a fuel load of 15 to 40 kg, which results in 4 to 12 hours of operation between refueling. Wood stoves fall into two categories, conventional and advanced combustion types.
WETT Inspection – Wood Stove Installation
Most Insurance Companies now require clients have an inspection by a WETT Certified Inspector prior to issuing a home owners insurance policy. When installing a new wood burning appliance most local building departments will also require a WETT Certified Inspection. A WETT Inspection Report is a method of verifying that appliance was installed in accordance with Ontario Building Codes and CSA B365 at the time of inspection. When changing insurance companies you will be required to obtain a new WETT Certified Inspection even if you have a report from when appliance was first installed.
If you are installing a wood stove in a garage there are additional rules that are required for Garage Wood Stove Installation.
For your convenience we provide many popular Wood Stove Installation Guides.
Advanced combustion wood stoves use advanced technology for energy efficiency and lower particulate emissions relative to conventional wood stoves. Advanced combustion stoves fall into two sub-types:
Catalytic stoves are equipped with a ceramic combustor coated with palladium located in the appliance downstream of the firebox. The catalyst reduces the ignition temperature of the smoke so it burns more completely, cutting smoke emissions at normal stove operating temperatures; and,
Non-catalytic advanced combustion design includes an insulated firebox, an internal baffle that acts as a reflective surface and separates the firebox from the secondary combustion chamber, and a system to pre-heat and distribute a secondary air supply above the fuel bed.
Safe Installation of your Wood Stove
A wood stove can have surface temperatures which reach over 400 degrees F. The interior stove temperatures are over 1,000 degrees F, and if a chimney fire occurs, temperatures over 2,000 degrees F are possible. Proper installation is imperative to operate a space heater in your home.
Stove Installation Tips – Includes Chart for popular types of Firewood.
Once you have chosen a location for your stove, prepare the area properly to ensure there is adequate clearance from any combustible surfaces. Combustible surfaces include floors, furniture, and walls of plaster, drywall or paneling. The proper distance from these combustible surfaces is determined by consulting the installation instructions or “Certification Label” typically located on the back of the stove.
All new wood stoves are tested by a Listed Laboratory to determine the required distance from combustibles in order to 
safely operate your appliance. Underwriters Laboratories of Canada tests wood stove by setting up heat sensors in accordance with the manufactures installation instructions and then operating appliance to ensure a safe distance from combustible material is maintained.
Although Uncertified Wood Stoves can be installed by using requirements of CSA B365 guidelines, most insurance companies will not insure a home with an uncertified wood stove.
Your Wood Stoves Certification Label will List the Testing Laboratory, Model Number of Stove and Serial Number. Distances 
to combustibles are also Listed. A is typically your Side Clearance, B is typically your Rear Clearance, C is typically clearance for corner installation and D is measurement from ceiling to top of stove.
The clearance to combustible distance can be reduced up to 67% when using an approved heat shield. Heat Shield must be constructed in accordance with CSA B365 requirements. Read more about Reducing Clearances to Combustibles. Many people think because they have a brick wall where they want to install their stove that will reduce distance required to combustibles, this would only apply if the whole wall was constructed of masonry, if there is drywall behind the brick wall it has no bearing on reducing distances to combustible products.
Ember Protection ( Ember Pad )
Ember protection is required to extend a minimum of 18 inches in front the opening door, and 8 inches beyond the appliance on both sides. Construction of the ember pad could be ceramic tile, that is grouted, or sheet metal of a minimum thickness of 0.38 mm. You can also purchase a ULC Rated Hearth Pad to provide ember protection. This pre-finished units come in multiple sizes and are very popular with people who have wood stoves and fireplaces.
Floor Protection
In Accordance with CSA B365 An appliance with less than 75 mm ( 3 inches ) of clearance between the firebox bottom and the 
ember pad shall be supported off the ember pad by two courses of 90 mm ( 3.5 in ) thick hollow masonry, clay or concrete units, arranged such that the hollow cores in the two courses are at right angles to each other to permit air circulation through them.
Most modern wood stoves have either legs or wood stove compartment which provides the required clearance so that floor protection is not required. Older wood stoves which require Floor Protection are likely uncertified and most Insurance Companies will not insure a home with an uncertified wood stove.
If buying a used wood stove, ensure there is a Certification Label attached to space heater and ensure the required clearances to combustibles will be able to be met in your preferred locations. Over the years I have seen older stoves, while being a Certified Wood Stove, still have a side or rear clearance of 36 inches or more. Note: Keep in mind the older the wood stove, the less efficient it is likely to be. So your initial saving maybe not as important over the long term.
Flue Pipe Installation
According to CSA B365 a Flue Pipe is the component of the venting system that connects the appliance to the breech pipe and is designed to conduct and contain flue gases. ( also known as chimney connectors )
- Maximum overall length of straight pipe: 3 m (10 ft.)
- The assembly should be as short and direct as possible between the stove and chimney. The use of two 45 degree elbows is often preferable to a single 90 degree elbow because less turbulence is created in the exhaust flow and they result in less horizontal run.
- Maximum number of 90-degree elbows: 2. Maximum unsupported horizontal length: 1 m (3 feet).
- Galvanized flue pipes must not be used because the coatings vaporize at high temperatures and release dangerous gases. Use black painted flue pipes.
- 6-, 7-, and 8-inch diameter flue pipes must be at least 24 gauge in thickness.
- Flue pipe joints should overlap 30 mm (1 1/4 in.)
- Each joint in the assembly must be fastened with at least three screws.
- The assembly must have allowance for expansion: elbows in assemblies allow for expansion; straight assemblies should include an inspection wrap with one end unfastened, or a telescopic section.
- Minimum upward slope towards the chimney: 20 mm/m (1/4 in/ft.).
- One end of the assembly must be securely fastened to the flue collar with 3 sheet metal screws and the other end securely fastened to the chimney.
- There must be provision for cleaning of the pipes, either through a clean out or by removal of the pipe assembly. Removal of the assembly should not require that the stove be moved.
- The crimped ends (male) of the sections must be oriented towards the appliance so that falling dust and condensation stay inside the pipe.
- A flue pipe must never pass through a combustible floor or ceiling or through an attic, roof space, closet or concealed space.
- Minimum clearance from combustible material: 450 mm (18 in.). The minimum clearance may be reduced by 50 percent to 225 mm (9 in.) if suitable shielding is installed either on the pipe or on the combustible surface.
Chimney Cleaning
Your chimney should be inspected at least once a year. When burning wood fuel in your wood stove, creosote and soot gradually accumulate on your flue pipes, chimney liner, 
smoke chamber, fire box and damper. Your chimney should be cleaned when you have a minimum 1/8 inch of deposits in your chimney or creosote glaze is present.
When to Clean Your Chimney
Inspect your chimney using a flashlight. Scrape away soot and creosote deposits with knife or screwdriver, if deposits are 1/8 of an inch or thicker, your chimney needs cleaning. When buying a new home with an existing chimney I always recommend my clients get a WETT Certified Chimney Sweep to clean their appliance and chimney. Soot and Creosote can hide small cracks etc which will be visible after chimney has been cleaned.
Levels of WETT Inspection
Contact Roger Frost for info or book a WETT Inspection
Phone 705-795-8255 or Toll Free 888-818-8608
Email Roger roger@napoleon.cc