Asked on Sep 10, 2012
How do I install a pot belly stove legally up to code standards?
by
Chris W
+4
I bought a pot belly stove 2 years ago & I understand I have to use use certain building items to install it,but everyone that I have asked does not know the answer.I want to install it in my mobile home safely,so there are no future accidents.Please help?
7 answers
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Because this stove is old...and your in a mobile home, you have two strikes against you already... Check out this article http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/1985-09-01/Woodstoves-and-Mobile-Home-Safety.aspx I would be very surprised that any approved installer would take on this project...with all of that being said. You may still be able to install it but is it going to be much more involved. As a general rule of thumb stoves need 18 to 24" of clearance to combustibles, Hearth protection of comparable distances and a class A clearance stove pipe. Mobile homes also require outside combustion air, tie downs and some other reuirements. http://www.woodstove.com/pages/pdffiles/mobilehomeinstall.pdf
KMS Woodworks
on Sep 10, 2012
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KMS is right on with his answer. It is not so much the type of stove you have, but you must maintain clearances from combustible areas, use proper stove pipe and fresh air in a mobile home is just not there as they tend to be pretty tightly constructed. If your thinking of doing this, and were not really saying you cannot, it is just not practical as the stove is very inefficient to operate and and by the time you get all the items you need installed to make it safe, you have spent way more money then you will save over a few years of just using the homes heating unit. If your really looking for ways to save money on heat and want some sort of stove. Look into pellet stoves for the home. They do make units that will work for the smaller tighter mobile home installs. Just check with your local fireplace stove dealer in your area.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Sep 11, 2012
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I don't know what the fuss is about. I grew up in mobile homes that travelled the country and had a small stove in them. It wasn't dangerous. Like any fire you have to be careful. but there was never a problem in that stoves in any of the older caravans or mobile homes i lived in.....Going back 30 years or more
Emb295064
on Feb 12, 2014
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Sounds like embr lives under a lucky star! Just my 2 bits worth: Every place I've ever lived has had building codes spelling out just what is legally and safely acceptable. If Chris installs this stove (against the advice of the experts and/or not w/ the code) and has a fire, his insurance is most unlikely to cover any losses. And if the inspectors discover it done wrong, they usually make you take it out and do it over. Chris needs to find out what his local code requires before he does anything. In the end, he might as well bite the bullet and buy that pellet stove and install according to code and be both safe and legal.
MJ
on Feb 14, 2014
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contact your areas fire department. they can & will tell you what has to be done to make it safe, call and make an appointment with them.
Charlotte Belange
on Aug 05, 2014
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You'd have to check with your county/ city hall building permit/code regulations. they aren't all the same.
Polly Zieper
on Sep 29, 2014
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woodstove typically have to be 18 inches from a wall minimum, It needs to have protection from underneath.... something fireproof for it to sit on and be really careful... most places I know of do not allow woodstoves in trailers and your insurance company will definately give you problems about it
Cathy C
on Oct 18, 2014
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