garage heat

[OLDdedhed]

As an old hose dragger, I have to chime in a little in defense of codes. There is in fact a national code pertaining to this issue. The 2006 (latest) edition of NFPA 211 (and NFPA is the organization that most P&C insurance companies ascribe to) says "12.2.3 Solid fuel-burning appliances shall not be installed in any location where gasoline or any other flammable vapors or gases are present" and "12.2.4 solid fuel-burning appliances shall not be installed in any garage".

The NFPA develops its codes based upon fire loss experience (what has already gone wrong) as well as engineering research it conducts. It is independent of the insurance industry in terms of funding or control. Codes aren't all bad. I've seen a hundred times where adherence to code would have prevented heartbreak. Just my two cents.
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100K LDJ boiler w/ 40 gal Heat Flo indirect water heater and Tekmar 256 Outdoor Reset Control
Mobile Cornvac
75 Bu Stor-Kleen bin outside
80+ Bu homemade bin inside

[SidecarFlip]

Code regulations are like lawsuits and attorneys. If you fling it on the wall and something sticks.....go after that.

I prefer to err on the side of caution myself. In my case, my trusty Modine does a much better and safer job of heating the shop.
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Flipmeisters Specialty Products, LLC
www.flipmeisters.com

[tinman]

see ask and you shall receive, that is good info to know oldedhed. And I'm sure your right about the insurance companys using it to there benefit.
Its just sometimes somebody thinks something is a good idea and it takes on a life of its own and there is nothing in any code book to support it.
I have dealt with many heating/boiler inspectors over the years and sometimes they forget that there job is to enforce the code, not make it.
And when ever I had a problem with a installation we did and they wanted something else......my response was "well if you want that you'd better show me in that code book where it says I have to do that".
Don't get me wrong codes are good, there safety (not design, sometimes you have to remind them of that to) and they save lifes.
The mech. code book does refer to NFPA 88b (88b I'm not sure what that is) under public garages but not private garages. Anyway like sidecar says even if you could be in compliance with the state codes it may not make a bit of difference with the insurance company.
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"You know everybody is ignorant only on different subjects"...Will Rogers
"If life was fair Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead"....Johnny Carson
USSC 6300

[kappel15]

ya, state of iowa is in the process now of wanting to pass regulation that any dwelling, whether it is single family or what, has to be built with a sprinkler system installed, after 2013. why in the hell are we giving them this kind of power! some regulation is fine, but this is big brother at his worst!
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Quadra Fire
Trained Tech.
Sante Fe
Mt. Vernon AE
kan-burn shur-kleenII kap-kleaner

[SidecarFlip]

I had a 'sprinkler system' yesterday that eliminated my trip to the gun club.

My wife's old/new clawfoot bath tub sprung a leak in the hot side supply line and was 'sprinkling' the wall behind the tub.

Naturally, the shut off valves were frozen open so I had to shut the main supply down and make a trip to Lowes for the wrong stuff......

Another trip to the local hardware store (where I should have went in the first place got me the right parts and elimination of the 'sprinkler system'.
_________________
Flipmeisters Specialty Products, LLC
www.flipmeisters.com

[kappel15]

love to hate them claw leg tubs when it's flooring time.
_________________
Quadra Fire
Trained Tech.
Sante Fe
Mt. Vernon AE
kan-burn shur-kleenII kap-kleaner

[sting]

fire protection

You should apply for a homeowners insurance discount!
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When you turn your boiler on -- Does it return the favor?
I am sorry - My responses are limited - You must ask the right question!

[tallcorn]

[SidecarFlip]

It's a new/old tub. My wife wanted a slipper tub in the bathroom and I got my corner shower. The floor is grouted ceramic tile, cold as ice and slippery as hell.

I told the contractor that exposed plated brass supply lines would not last with our slightly akaline well water (as well as my wife) but the contractor always knows better. The lines (hot side) sprung a leak in one of the bends (I think it was thinner there). I wasn't about to force the valves so I soaked the whole shebang with PB Blaster and took it apart. Went to Lowes for some stainless braided over plastic hose fittings only to discover that the shut off valves are bastard sized and I'm not about to tear into that (in the crawl space) in this weather so I bought some nylon braided plastic hose, cut the supplies at the tub and floor with 2" sticking out, pressed the hose on and witek clamped them.

Actually, it don't look bad....and it don't leak.

In the spring, I'll revalve the supplies and change over to Watts braided stainless inlets.

Frigg'in contractors.
_________________
Flipmeisters Specialty Products, LLC
www.flipmeisters.com

[kappel15]

[OLDdedhed]

No sweat Tinman. I appreciate your "show me" attitude; it's well justified. I had a staff of inspectors who were always relying on their fading memories and fantasies rather than the code book. Guys like you kept them straight and I loved it.

State code adoption is another can of worms--all sorts of interest groups chime in and the political BS flies. Often what is safe is ignored. Plus, people would rather pay for their mistakes than for preventing them. Personally, I'd rather pay up front for that crew of little firemen on my ceilings than pay every year for that crew of boobs that's going to show up on their million dollar truck to water my foundation hole. The problem is you have to pay for both.
_________________
100K LDJ boiler w/ 40 gal Heat Flo indirect water heater and Tekmar 256 Outdoor Reset Control
Mobile Cornvac
75 Bu Stor-Kleen bin outside
80+ Bu homemade bin inside

[tallcorn]