Chimney & Wood Stove Safety

Chimney and woodstove safety

Tips on heating safely with wood and other solid fuels.

In 2018, there were 556 fire incidents involving chimneys, fireplaces, and woodstoves in Massachusetts. These fires caused 1 civilian death, 3 civilian injuries and 7 firefighter injuries, and resulted in $3 million in property losses.

Tips for safe use of wood, coal, and pellet stoves

You need a building permit before installing fireplaces, wood, pellet or coal burning stoves. The local building inspector  must inspect new fireplaces, wood, pellet or coal burning stoves before they are used as required by the Massachusetts State Building Code.

Allow for at least 36 inches of clearance around the appliance to prevent combustibles from coming into contact with a heat source. This is the 3 foot circle of safety.

Solid fuel heating appliances cannot share a common flue with chimney flues used by another solid fuel, fossil fuel, or gas fire appliance. 

A qualified mason should inspect the chimney and flue before the stove is used and annually. Cracks in the flue or mortar joints can allow flames and heated gases to get into living spaces.