Coalpail.com Forum

The code enforcement officer is coming this friday to inspect the installation of my furnace and masonary chimney. He was already out once to inspect the footer. I have been using the furnace for a few weeks and it is burning well. Do you think I need to shut it down before he comes or should I leave it burrning?

Davidl, I would shut it down. This will allow him to inspect the chimney if he chooses.

Around here the inspectors get pretty steamed if you run b4 inspection. Now just a "test burn" would be ok.
That's why I avoid them. My insurance guy said all I have to do is have it listed on the policy and pay an extra $35 per year. No fine print about code. Screw em. The guy put my bro inlaw through the hoops on his install, just a bunch of crap. A small towner flexing his power

My insurance guy said all I have to do is have it listed on the policy and pay an extra $35 per year. No fine print about code.

Same here.

"Screw em"

that's pretty much my attitude towards them.

I should have done this in the beginning. I just called my insurance company and they said they just switch my primary heat source from oil to coal on the policy. I asked if they required inspection, she said no, but just hold on to the inspection report incase it is needed later.

Does your insurance company need to know you have a coal stove? I'm new to this and am unfamiliar with how everything should work.

Call them anonymously and ask.

I was also told the code is for wood stoves, they give you no break even though coal runs much cooler stove pipe temps (particularly compared to older less efficient wood burners) and there is no chance of a chimney fire. Was told someone might put in a wood burner later so no break for coal. Someday when I move I will get a signed statement from the next owner that he will "get it up to code b4 running". That will get me off the hook regardless if the new owner plans to or not.

My 2 cents, I'm not a lawyer or a code guy.

I informed my insurace agent, and he did need/want to know, but he didnt even come out to look, just talked on the phone and if I followed and understood there clearance instructions. They were nice, not being jerks, just trying to help, the agent burns a big Harman stove, I forget the model.

Code officer came out today to inspect my furnace and chimney. Took him about 5 minutes with a few pictures and said everything passed.

Code officer came out today to inspect my furnace and chimney. Took him about 5 minutes with a few pictures and said everything passed.

Congrats on your inspection, now you can "legally" burn coal. Good ole government...

Inspections and insurance. Depends on your local city codes. I would say MOST if not ALL have some type of inspections for changing or added heating systems. Most CAN go as far as anything you change in your house (electrical, plumbing, structural, furnace, hot water tank, etc...) SHOULD be inspected so it meets the standards of building/installation for you local and/or national codes. They write these codes to protect both you and your property and for the insurance companies.

You put in a wood stove and do NOT have it inspected or tell your insurance company and your house burns down, I bet they won't cover you. things like that.

Always good to do it to the Code and have it inspected. Then you don't have any problems in the future. Especially if you go and sell your house, the bank or lender may require documentation on the installation or inspections. etc...

Fees, taxes, premiums. Inspection is supposed to be about protection, and like all good intentions that pave the road to hell, it turned bad. It's now about the money. That being said, if you can afford it, and are unsure and need someone to check your or someone else's work, it's one of the cheapest ways.
Jotuler

The $50 for the permit and inspection was well spent. CYA