Pellet stove hearth pad specs?

[cantman]

I am expecting delivery of a Harman XXV and I am puzzled about the fire or building code for hearth pad size. The manual states
the pad should be minimum of six inches in front and two inches on the sides. This stove will be installed at my new office and the township fire
marshall just did a preliminary inspection. I asked the fire marshall about the pellet stove install along with the hearth pad specs
and he stated that the minimum pad should be eight inches on each side and eighteen inches in the front. Am I missing something here?
I plan on following what the fire marshall says but does this sound excessive?

 

[tinkabranc]

Not sure if this helps or not, but the hearthpad we have under our Harman XXV is 41 x 41.
The Pad size was recommended by our dealer and is just right for the style of this stove.
It meets the requirements in my area and passed inspection with no issues.

 

[FireJumper]

Just keep in mind that the clearences that Harman provides are a basic "guidline" for installation. Your local codes could supercede Harman's clearences depending on the local building inspector.

 

[moog5]

Obviously you have to do what the Fire Marshall says, but 18" seems ridiculous (just a laymens point of view). Pellet stoves just don't get that hot, nor is there much chance of hot embers falling out when you open the door. They aren't like wood stoves. I often lay in front of my xxv pellet stove and put my feet on the stove (not the glass, it's a tad too hot). There is some radiant heat, but mainly just hot air from the blower. The cast iron just doesn't get very hot.

You can see my install in the photo section (see the the green xxv in the photo section). I went with top vent adapter and wanted the pipe to go straight up for aethetic reasons (w/out 45's for offset), I thought it would look cleaner. To do this, I had set the edge of the ash tray at about 4" off the front end of the hearth. This put the glass more than 6" back (I know that's not what the book says, but that's what I did...initially). The vertical pipe was a little off plumb, hard to notice, but you can see it in the photo. For inspection/insurance and general peace of mind, and after burning for about 4 months, bought the 45's and moved it back per the xxv manual and our local code.

If the Fire Marshall insists on 18", look on the bright side, when you clean the inside of the glass, it will be less likely that dirty ash will fall on your carpet.

P.S. you will love the stove.

 

[cantman]

Thanks for the quick reply's! I will follow what the fire marshall requires and call it a day.
There is probably not a deliniation between a wood stove and a pellet stove in the code books
hence the eighteen inch requirement of hearth pad in front of the stove. I hope my Harman
XXV is on the way and I don't get screwed by the recent buy out. Replacement parts will be
available!? (......putting hands together and praying to the parts god!.........)

 

[FireJumper]

I really don't think you will have any issues getting parts. I don't believe HHT would discontinue one of the better stoves on the market. Happy heating!

 

[kinsmanstoves]

Stupid question but did the inspector know this was a pellet and not a wood burner?

 

[cantman]

Kinsman Stoves,
He knew it was to be a pellet stove.
Reading in a previous post I found that the NFPA 211 regulation is "eighteen inches" from the FRONT of the stove.
Whoda thunk......

 

[Shane]

I would kindly show him the installation instructions and ask what safety concerns he has. Don't come off like he's wrong but more like you wish to be educated. He is probably quoting you standard clearance for wood and or pellet stoves. Many inspectors do this when they're un aware of specific model etc.

 

[masterswimmer]

I've got the XXV also. Love it. Looking forward to seeing pix of yours. Good luck.

swimmer

 

[stoveguy2esw]

personally i think the 18 inch requirement for woodstove loading door side floor protection is more than extreme for a pellet stove , the door isnt opened while the unit is in operation, and the radiation through the glass isnt near as hot as a wood unit rockin is going to be. but thats the literal translation of the code as it stands and the inspector is well within his rights to enforce it being his name is on the inspection. i can't honestly fault him , but i think instead the code could be edited somewhat for pellet stoves.