getting old stove inspected

[Liam2198]

Hi, my wife and I bought an old stove and we need to get it inspected and brought up to code before we can use it. Who does these inspections? We live in Massachusetts. Thanks in advance!

[Don Phillipson]

Ask the local fire brigade; you may also need a building permit to instal the stove. In other jurisdictions e.g. Ontario there is a Wood Energy Technology Transfer group supposed to help such problems.

Do not ask your insurance agent until you have found out for yourself about safe installation and building codes. Some insurance companies are so jumpy about wood stoves these days that they may pressure you to meet code standards for new stoves in a new house.

[robson]

you are correct. they are very jumpy. i recently had an insert installed in my old fire place. photos were required of the removal of the old fire box. photos required of the installation. installed by a certified masonary tradesman - his signature on a letter stating it was installed to code and inspected by the regional fire department - and his signature. all because i called to see if my home owners insurance would increase due to the addition of a wood stove.

[Phisherman]

How old? You'll probably spend more with inspection costs, repair, parts, and efficiency than buying a new stove. Anyway, contact your local appliance repair shop.

[SQLit]

Lets see, gas? electric? wood? coal?

Why would you bring an old stove up to code? Go out an buy one that is to code.

[Liam2198]

Because it is an old house and we want an old stove that goes with the house. It is a gas stove from around 1912 or so.

[rck]

I phoned my insurance company to inquire about a modification and they raised the rate. I never installed anything but the agent told me that by inquiring I was proving intent. I lived in Massachusetts, codes there can be ugly.

Bob

[robson]

go buy a new vermount castings stand alone stove. it looks the part