Consumer Alert: Beware of Unlisted Wood Stoves

By Marge Padgitt

►CONSUMER ALERT:

There is a big difference in quality and longevity when it comes to wood-burning stoves. Some metal wood-burning stoves and all barrel stove kits being sold by home improvement stores are NOT U.L. Listed or EPA approved, and therefore, cannot be installed in most cities according to the International Residential Code and city codes. 

Wood Stove Kit from U.S. Stove - this is an unlisted product

Wood stove barrel kits allow the consumer to modify a 50-gallon barrel to be used as a wood-burning stove. The barrels were not designed for this purpose, nor have they been tested for this use. It is unknown how long the so called "stove" would hold up. It is definitely not a product with a secondary burn chamber, so would be very dirty burning, spewing black smoke during use. The EPA does not allow such wood stoves to be used. 

So why are these kits sold? Good question, and I don't have the answer to that other than apparently, anyone can sell anything in the U.S. 

When purchasing a wood stove look for a label on the product that says "U.L." or Underwriters Laboratories, which indicates that the appliance has been tested do U.L. standards. If no label exists, it is not legal to install in most cities. 

Check with your local building codes official before purchasing a wood-burning heating appliance to see what their jurisdiction requires. Most major cities require that a licensed contractor do the installation of the stove and chimney or flue liner. The license they are looking for is called an HVAC or Master Mechanical License. Some cities require that a Certified Chimney Sweep by the Chimney Safety Institute of America or an NFI Certified Woodburning Specialist by the National Fireplace Institute do the installation. 

However, it is good advice to not waste your money on these potentially dangerous products. Find a local professional chimney sweep or hearth retailer who carries good quality wood-burning stoves with a warranty. 

_______________________________

Marge Padgitt is the CEO of HearthMasters, Inc. in Independence, Missouri. 

MCSC Offers Educational Classes March 20-22

The Midwest Chimney Safety Council is Holding Educational Classes 

Friday, March 20 through Sunday, March 22, 2015 in Independence, Missouri
 

Friday:

8:00 a.m.—6:30 p.m.

CDET Certification:  Get yourself and your employees C-Det Certified and learn what you don’t know about dryers, dryer vents, and the lucrative dryer vent cleaning and inspection market. Keep ahead of the competition with this additional credential!

To Register: Go to www.csia.org/cwt/external/wcpages_csia/certification/c-det_in-person_reviews.aspx to pay and register for the CDET review and test and purchase your manual.  Get your manual NOW to study before the review. The MCSC is NOT taking registrations or payment for this portion. 

Saturday:

8:30 am—5:30 pm
What Every Contractor Needs to Know About OSHA Requirements
Avoid heavy fines and possible financial ruin by attending this class.  A Midwest chimney company recently had over $40,000 in fines—don’t let this happen to you! Learn what you need to know about OSHA safety requirements on the job and record keeping requirements for 2015.  Bring your employees and safety manager along with you!
Instructor: Robert M. Kellogg, MS, CSP, CHST, CSM, CSSM, CSST with Safety Consulting & Training Services, LLC

Sunday:
9:00 am—10:30 am

How to Use FLIR Technology for Inspections
Find out how you and your techs can use a FLIR infrared camera to check for leaks and other issues with fireplaces and chimneys and more. Connect E-Series cameras to smartphones and tablets with a Wi-Fi app. Stream live thermal video so co-workers can watch along. Import radiometric JPEGs, adjust contrast and color, add more measurement tools, then package images in concise reports and email findings right from the field to expedite critical decisions. This is the latest in high-tech and can be very useful in your business and at home. Technical CEU’s will be applied for. Instructor: Roy Huff with the Snell Group.

11:00 am—12:30 pm

Reducing Stress in the Workplace
How about learning some unique and fun techniques to reduce stress in the workplace, which is something we all need? Health CEU's will be applied for. 
Instructor: Alice Brink

12:30 pm Lunch and meeting

Visit www.mcsc-net.org for more information and to download the registration form.

Hearth Applicance Installation Training For Pros Aug 8-10, 2014

The Midwest Chimney Safety Council is hosting a charity hearth workshop August 8 - 10, 2014 at the Boy Scout Camp at Lake of the Ozarks. 

The workshop includes installation of a wood-burning freestanding stove, installation of a Class A stainless steel chimney, different methods of crown building, how to build your own chimney chase top, and Business and Personal Risk Management. Instructors are Steve Hoover, Gary Hart, Gene Padgitt, and Lisa Hatcher.

An auction will be held with auctioneer Steve Hoover and items donated by suppliers and manufacturers in the industry. 

Camping is available on site or stay at a nearby hotel. 

CEU's have been applied for from the Chimney Safety Institute of America and the National Fireplace Institute.

The MCSC will also hold their annual meeting.

All hearth and chimney professionals and their employees are invited to attend. Visit the website at www.mcsc-net.org for registration and pricing information.