Home Appliances

Question:
I recently purchased a used pellet stove.
It is an enviro-fire EF-3 BAY i. It was made in 2002.
Does it need to have a CSA tag for insurance purposes?

Answer:
As far as I know most insurance companies require that the unit have CSA certification. You will need to contact your own insurance company.
It is up to them if they will accept it without a CSA label.
They may or may not accept a written authorization from a professional installer who installs it and deems it safe.
It all depends on the policies of your insurance company.
Regarding CSA approval, one visitor mentioned that CSA has not approved wood burning stove appliances for some time now. However, you can contact CSA and ULC through their websites for information directly from them.
Refer to the Resources Page for information.
Toll free numbers are also provided under the ‘contact us’ section of their websites.
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Visitor: Kelley
Ottawa, Ontario
February 2009.

Question:
I was just given a gas range to replace my electric one. Someone told me that you just couldn’t put it in without confirming the space requirements for the stove. Distance from wall (side) and counter (other side). Also if I purchase a microwave range hood for above my stove - is there any requirements for that too? Where would I find the information? Also how do you go about getting a natural gas line ran to your kitchen, what kind of contractor would I call?

Answer:
There should be a minimum of 6 inches between the top of the appliance and any sidewall or cabinet. There should be enough room between the range and any lower cabinets to easily maneuver the range in and out of the space. For the micro/hood combo, measure the space you have available for it, if it is to be place between and/ or below existing upper cabinets. Discuss the details, such as venting, type of fan, fan noise, replacing an existing hood (if applicable), and so on with the company from which you are purchasing the unit. Typically, there should be 16 to 18” between the bottom of the micro/hood and the surface of the cook top.
To get a natural gas line run to the range, contact your natural gas service provider. They will recommend a licensed heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor(s) who is qualified to do gas line installations.
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Visitor: Rick
Winnipeg, Manitoba
February 2009.

Question:
I am thinking of mounting a microwave oven under my kitchen cupboard and above my stovetop. I would like to know the minimum distance required between the stovetop elements and the bottom of the shelf for the microwave?

Answer:
Typically, there should be 16” to 18” between the bottom of the shelf and the surface of the appliance.
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Visitor: Peter
Winnipeg, Manitoba
January 2009.

Question:
I would like to install a small wood-burning stove in my attached garage. Are there any special requirements in regards to height from floor/ceiling and clearances to walls/windows?

Answer:
Your appliance must be installed in compliance with the ‘Installation Code for Fuel Burning Appliances and Equipment’ and the manufacturer’s installation instructions. I believe that the floor to ceiling height of the area must be a minimum of seven feet.
The clearances from the back and sides to combustible materials depends on the how the stove is being installed. These will vary if it is perpendicular to a corner, at an angle to the corner, in the center of the wall or if non-combustible materials are installed around the stove.
Contact your local building department and provided the appropriate information. Explain where you are locating the stove within the garage, where the window is in relationship to the location, what the wall material is, what is above the garage, such as a roof or another floor level and so on.
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Visitor: Joanne
Lafleche, Saskatchewan
January 2009.

Question:
I am putting in a gas-stove top, how far do the burners have to be from the wall and cupboards on either side?

Answer:
The distance between the gas stove top unit (not the burners) and a sidewall above the top is typically a minimum of 6 inches. This applies to both sides.
Check your installation instructions, to ensure that the design of your particular appliance does not call out for more space.
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Visitor: Cecil
Louisdale, Nova Scotia January 2008.

Question:
Can I direct vent a pellet stove chimney through my garage wall, or will my insurance require me to have a chimney.

Answer:
The question is pretty general and I do not know exact what you are planning by going through the garage wall, I can only answer that:
1. The exhaust vent must terminate into an open area (exterior). The exhaust vent must not terminate into closed or semi closed spaces, such as a garage.
2. Interior vent pipes must be enclosed where they extend through any occupied space or anywhere where the surface of the vent is exposed to contact by a person or combustible materials. Call and check with the manufacturer of the appliance to ensure that the type of venting layout you are planning does not affect the performance of your pellet stove.
Chimneys are not necessarily required. The venting termination must comply with codes and local by-laws.
The insurance company will accept a venting installation, which complies with the codes.
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Visitor: Wanda
Cloverdale, British Columbia
December 2007.

Question:
I bought my home in January 2007.I just want to find out about my wood-burning fireplace in the basement. Do I just need to have it cleaned or do I need some sticker for insurance purposes? I believe it was put in when the house was built.

Answer:
As you did not state the age of your home, it is best to check with your insurance company to determine how you will be covered regarding the fireplace. They may require confirmation that the fireplace is in good working condition. In other words that it does not pose a fire hazard if it is old. Having your fireplace cleaned is always a good idea.
Have the chimney and dampers inspected by a professional. Creosote and carbon deposits can build up and pose a fire hazard. So can dampers that do not work properly.
If any work is required you should have it done before using your fireplace. This ensures your own personal health and safety. A document stating the fireplace is in good working condition (from a reputable, professional company) may also entitle you to a better insurance rate.
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Visitor: Gerard
Okotoks, Alberta
December 2007.

Question:
There are pellet stoves that advertise that you can direct vent them out of the basement wall.
My question is: Is this allowed in the town of Okotoks?
Considering my cold air intake of my furnace will be 10 feet away if this unit will be operational (neighbors unit). My concern is fire and more so health.

Answer:
Pellet stoves vented out the basement wall must be installed/ vented according to the manufacturers instructions, which must conform in Canada to the ‘CAN/CSA B365 Code - Installation Code for Fuel Burning Appliances and Equipment’.
A minimum 4-foot clearance is required from a non-mechanical air supply inlet to the building or the combustion air inlet to any other appliance. A minimum of 3-foot clearance from any forced air intake of any appliance.
There are many other code requirements to be considered, the location of windows, doors, regulator meters, grade, grass, plants, adjacent buildings, etc. for both fire and health concerns.
To determine if the town of Okotoks has a by-law regarding the venting of a pellet stove, please contact the Okotoks Building Department.
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Visitor: Jenn
Goodwood, ON
November 2007.

Question:
My husband and I recently bought an older home that came with a wood stove. The wood stove is about 30 years old so removed it. We came across a newer wood stove that someone was selling but when we investigated getting it installed we were asked if it had the CSA approved tag on the back, which it did not. My insurance company advised that they do not approve them unless there is a tag. I contacted CSA to see how a stove is approved and they advised me that they have not been approving wood stoves for a very long time now. I contacted a wood stove specialist who advised that a wood stove that is not approved can still be installed under the B365 building code as long as it is 4ft from any combustible and 5ft from the ceiling and a professional has to do the inspection. Now because the house came with a wood stove (which is CSA approved) there is a brick wall, chimney and concrete block already there. Do you have any further knowledge on this?

Answer:
It appears that you have already done a lot of research. The information, which you have received, is correct regarding the placement of the wood stove. The existing chimney will need to be inspected and will have to conform to current standards. This is also for your safety.
I suggest having the appliance, brick wall, etc. inspected as well, which I am sure the specialist/ installer will look after for you.
Check if your insurance company will accept a signed document from this wood stove specialist, stating the appliance, is in good working condition and installed according to code. If not, then have a building inspector come in and inspect the stove and installation. A document from the building inspector should be enough to satisfy your insurance company.
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Visitor: Don
Burlington, Ontario
June 2006.

Question:
I am building a log cabin in northern Ontario and planning to install a wood cook stove. Where can I find regulations and guidelines on how to install, dimension clearances from interior walls, heat shields, etc.?

Answer:
Please provide some further information. Is it a new model or an old (antique) one? Is there an upper section to it? Do you plan to use it for cooking or heating? Are you planning on doing the installation yourself?

Visitor:
Thank you for responding. Answers to your questions are as follows:
-The stove is a new Pioneer Maid wood cook stove
-There is an upper section that is the warming oven/compartment
-We are planning to use it for cooking and heating as the log cabin is approx. 860 square feet is size.
-As the stove weighs over 500 lbs. I am having the dealer deliver and install the stove c/w the stainless steel vent stack thru the roof.
I am planning on installing 1/2" thick stone or ceramic tile on the floor under the stove. I am trying to find a rear heat shield to protect the wall that the stove will back onto. One dealer says the back of the stove must be a minimum of 25 inches off the wall and another dealer says that if he can find a heat shield that the distance can be reduced to somewhere around 18 inches. Due to the layout of the kitchen, I would prefer the minimum distance. Regardless, I was thinking of installing stone or ceramic tiling on the wall behind the stove. If this is not suitable, I may have to go with clay/refractory bricks. Hope this is of some help.

Answer:
I am glad to hear that you are planning to install a new model, as an old appliance could pose health and fire problems. Also I am glad that you have chosen to use an installer. Please ensure that the installer is a certified technician and that there is general liability and errors and omissions insurance.
You should also determine if you require a building permit and have the building department or fire department inspector in the area do a final review of the installation.
This is not only for safety reasons but it could also play an important role in your insurance policy.
I believe that stone and ceramic tile (providing that the ceramic tiles have a fire rating label) are both an acceptable choice of material for floor and wall. A stainless steel panel on the wall would be an appropriate heat shield although perhaps not as appealing.
The Ontario Building Code does state that the stovepipe must be double steel wall. Otherwise there does not appear to be any other specific guidelines. I contacted the OBC and was informed that a wood cook stove must be designed and installed in accordance with the CSA B365 Standard. CSA is the Canadian Standards Association. Please contact them at 1-866-797-4272. I am sure that they will be able to answer your questions regarding the heat shield and distance required.
Don’t forget to install smoke detectors and have a fire extinguisher near the installation.
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