Forum:

rocket mass heaters

Insurance vs Codes

pollinator

Posts: 102

Location: South Central Alaska Zone 4a/b

posted 1 year ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

This is prob a sly a dumb question but I’m asking it anyway. I don’t totally understand what regulatory issues related to RMH come from building codes, vs insurance. We are starting building a house this spring and want to put an RMH in it. There are NO CODES where we live. But we would like to insure our house. In this case, is it just up to the insurance company to decide if they approve of the RMH or not? Or is there regulation within the whole insurance industry that would determine this? The simple answer would be to call the insurance co and ask them, but we don’t yet have homeowners insurance because we don’t own a home. If it’s up to the company themselves, it would be nice to “shop” based on which company would be most likely to approve the stove.

So I guess my question is, if building codes are not a concern, how does one go about understanding the insurance issue?
Thanks!
-Eloise

Douglas Alpenstock

pollinator

Posts: 5520

Location: Canadian Prairies - Zone 3b

1518

posted 1 year ago

5
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Others more knowledgeable will chime in, but I think Insurance likes Code because it gives them a lazy cookie-cutter window on risk and they don't have to think too hard. This one's a number six with fries and Coke!

Individual insurers vary, and they will consult their underwriters to cover their tails. Masonry heaters are a known entity, even though they are custom built. If you can show a reasonable setback from flammables and a Code-friendly roof jack and chimney, you may get a green light. They certainly aren't more hazardous than a dumb-box wood stove. If they balk, shop around. My 2c.

thomas rubino

master rocket scientist

Posts: 6730

Location: latitude 47 N.W. montana zone 6A

3602

I like...

posted 1 year ago

10
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Hi Eloise;
To start only use the words Rocket Mass Heater while talking on Permies.
Always talk about your European style masonry heater to any insurance people.
There are insurance codes that apply.
Here is a post I wrote about it. https://permies.com/t/241332/RMH-Rocket-Masonry-Heater#2242015
And here is a post of a double wall 6" Batchbox currently under construction https://permies.com/t/238503/Batch-Rocket-Build

For all your Montana Masonry Heater parts (also known as) Rocket Mass heater parts.
Visit me at
dragontechrmh.com Once you go brick you will never go back!

Eloise Rock

pollinator

Posts: 102

Location: South Central Alaska Zone 4a/b

posted 1 year ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

These were helpful responses, Thank you!

Thomas, in the post you linked to, you summarize: "My take on what I read, is that Montana allows home-built masonry stoves (Rocket Masonry Heater)

as long as they follow the international building code."

Where can I read the IBC for masonry heaters? or is what you provided in that post all there is? It just doesnt seem to communicate much. Just defines what a masonry heater is. I assume they have some guidlines regarding set backs, materials, chimneys etc. Does anyone know where to find this info?

Thanks again,
Eloise

Matt McSpadden

gardener

Posts: 2802

Location: Central Maine (Zone 5a)

1346

I like...

posted 1 year ago

3
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Hi Eloise,
When I talked to my insurance agent the answer was "make sure it's installed according to the manufacturers instructions". When I said it was custom built, they said follow the standard codes. I haven't found everything, but I did find some info for the state of Maine. I would imagine it would be similar, but you would want to check your state's recommendations. I have had good luck reaching out to a local fire department and asking them where to find the codes. They are the ones who are going to be putting out the fire if its wrong, so they should know.

Filename: standardsfor_solidfuel_stoves.pdf

File size: 199 Kbytes

[Download standardsfor_solidfuel_stoves.pdf]

Download Attachment

"When the whole world is running towards a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind." C.S. Lewis
Visit https://themaineingredient.com for organic, premium dried culinary herbs that are grown, processed, and packaged in the USA.

Thomas Tipton

pioneer

Posts: 337

I like...

posted 1 year ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Masonry Heater Association Reference Manual

Where there is Liberty, there is Christ!

R Scott

pollinator

Posts: 4139

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

327

posted 1 year ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

When I put in a wood cook stove, I documented all the changes I made, especially how I replaced the wood studs and drywall with steel studs and cement board. I made sure my clearance to combustibles was more than needed and I had the receipts and spec sheets for the chimney components. And fort chimney cleaning gear.

The key was it couldn’t be “primary” heat, so have a furnace of some kind even if you never plan to use it. I know several people with baseboard electric heater or a blue flame gas heater in the living room that has been used once.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." --Mahatma Gandhi
"Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words." --Francis of Assisi.
"Family farms work when the whole family works the farm." -- Adam Klaus

thomas rubino

master rocket scientist

Posts: 6730

Location: latitude 47 N.W. montana zone 6A

3602

I like...

posted 1 year ago

2
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

IBC code
https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/IBC2021P2/chapter-21-masonry#IBC2021P2_Ch21_Sec2112

For all your Montana Masonry Heater parts (also known as) Rocket Mass heater parts.
Visit me at
dragontechrmh.com Once you go brick you will never go back!

S Bengi

pollinator

Posts: 3828

Location: Massachusetts, Zone:6/7 AHS:4 GDD:3000 Rainfall:48in even Soil:SandyLoam pH6 Flat

557

I like...

posted 1 year ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

For insurance, I would call it a "wood stove" and then also install a regular heating system and just never turn it on, unless the temp gets down to 50F so that it prevents the pipes from bursting.

Iterations are fine, we don't have to be perfect
My 2nd Location:Florida HardinessZone:10 AHS:10 GDD:8500 Rainfall:2in/mth winter, 8in/mth summer, Soil:Sand pH8 Flat

Friends help you move. Good friends help you move bodies. This tiny ad will help:

Learn Permaculture through a little hard work

https://wheaton-labs.com/bootcamp