2013 IRC Code Change Proposal RB455

Buckley Rumford Fireplaces
2013 IRC Code Change Proposal RB455
3/30/13

RB455-13
R1002.2, R1002.5, Chapter 44
Proponent: Timothy N. Seaton, B.S.C.E., Empire Masonry Heaters LLC (tseaton@timelyconstruction.com)
Revise as follows:
1002.2 Installation. Masonry heaters shall be installed in accordance with this section and comply with one of the following:

1. Masonry heaters shall comply with the requirements of ASTM E 1602; or
2. Masonry heaters shall be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1482 or EN 15250 and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.

1002.5 Masonry heater clearance. Combustible materials shall not be placed within 36 inches (765 mm) of the outside surface of a masonry heater in accordance with NFPA 211, Section 8-7 (clearances for solid fuel-burning appliances), and the required space between the heater and combustible material shall be fully vented to permit the free flow of air around all heater surfaces.

Exceptions:
1. When the masonry heater wall thickness is at least 8 inches (203 mm) thick of solid masonry and the wall thickness of the heat exchange channels is at least 5 inches (127 mm) thick of solid masonry, combustible materials shall not be placed within 4 inches (102 mm) of the outside surface of a masonry heater. A clearance of at least 8 inches (203 mm) shall be provided between the gas-tight capping slab of the heater and a combustible ceiling.
2. Masonry heaters listed and labeled in accordance with UL 1482 or EN 15250 and installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Add new standard to Chapter 44 as follows:
EN European Committee for Standardization (EN)
Central Secretariat
Rue de stassart 36
B-10 50 Brussels
EN 15250 Slow Heat Release Appliances Fired By Solid Fuel. Requirements And Test Methods.
Reason: This proposal harmonizes IRC Section 1002 with the corresponding 2013 IBC Section 2112.
UL 1482, Solid-Fuel Type Room Heaters, was created to evaluate wood stoves and similar appliances. It does not address thermal mass storage devices of masonry construction such as masonry heaters and contains significant deficiencies in evaluating them. Specifically, UL 1482 stipulates fueling the appliance until temperature equilibrium is reached at which point the safety clearances are verified. This is not an appropriate end of test for masonry heaters and cannot in testing application actually be clearly reached. While UL 1482 may eventually be modified to specifically address masonry heaters, in 2007 the European standard EN 15250, Slow heat release appliances fired by solid fuel. Requirements and test method, was finalized specifically to address masonry heaters and similar devices and has since been adopted by 37 countries in Europe and elsewhere. Since Europe is the original source of virtually all masonry heater technology and since IBC already references European Union standards elsewhere, it is appropriate to reference this standard here. EN 15250 stipulates the same allowable temperature elevations of adjacent combustible materials as UL 1482 but uses an appropriate test fueling method.
Cost Impact: The code change proposal will not increase the cost of construction.
Analysis: A review of the standard proposed for inclusion in the code, EN 15250 with regard to the ICC criteria for referenced standards (Section 3.6 of CP#28) will be posted on the ICC website on or before April 1, 2012.
RB455-13
MACS NO POSITION Public Hearing: Committee: AS - Because of staff analysis and already in UBC.
Assembly: ASF AMF DF