Wood Burner Insert | Mammoth Fire Deparmtment Local Ordinance

MAMMOTH LAKES

WOOD BURNER INSERT REQUIREMENTS

Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District Ordinance 20-01

EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 31, 2022, ALL WOOD BURNER INSERTS THAT WERE INSTALLED PRIOR TO 2013 AND WOOD BURNER INSERTS THAT WERE NOT PERMITTED SHALL BE REPLACED OR HAVE CHASES RECONSTRUCTED TO MEET MLFPD FIRE CODE REQUIREMENTS.

Per MLFPD Ordinance 20-01, all wood burning inserts installed into a prefabricated firebox within the Town of Mammoth Lakes shall be removed or have the chase reconstructed upon the sale of the real property or by October 31, 2022, if no sale has occurred before this date. This requirement shall apply to all occupancy types, including single family homes, multifamily residential structures, and commercial structures in which wood burning inserts have been installed.

Requirements

A building permit shall be obtained from the Town of Mammoth Lakes before the start of any work, and a rough-in and final inspection are required before the project is deemed complete.

Dimensions to Combustibles

A minimum of 48 vertical inches of non-combustible material shall be installed within the chase area, measured from the top of the existing prefabricated metal firebox. A minimum of 24 horizontal inches of non-combustible material shall be installed within the chase area, measured from the edge of the wood burning insert. Some construction exceptions may be permitted. Further, should the manufacturer's minimum dimensions be greater than MLFPD's required dimensions, the manufacturer's dimensions shall prevail.

Air channels around Enclosure Panel

Per NFPA 211, passive circulation shall be maintained in the void space around the wood burning insert and the prefabricated fireboxes. Passive circulation shall be installed in each corner of the panels in the insert.

Circulation of Air in the Prefabricated Fireboxes

Passive circulation shall be maintained in the void space around the wood-burning insert and the prefabricated fireboxes. Passive circulation shall be installed in each corner of the panels installed with the insert.

Support of Prefabricated Fireboxes at the Base of Unit

Should the wood burning insert assembly weigh more than 200 pounds, then the base of the prefabricated firebox shall be supported by an approved method. Should the complete assembly of the wood burning insert exceed more than two stories in height, then the base of the prefabricated firebox shall be supported regardless of the weight of the wood burning insert.

Lintel Bar

All lintels and all supporting material for said lintels shall be of non-combustible materials, and no air gap shall be permitted.

Flue Pipe

Required spacing of not less than two inches shall be maintained for all installations. All installations shall contain approved liner and flue cap. The flue cap shall conform to the new liner and shall not interrupt the airflow of the original flue pipe assembly. Existing non-conforming shall require modifications prior to permit being issued. Inspection and verification shall be required.

Prefabricated Firebox

Any modification to the prefabricated firebox shall be approved by the manufacturer of record. Inspection and verification shall be required prior to installing decorative panels.

Download the Mammoth Lakes Fire Department Wood Burner Insert Issue Paper

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