Expert: James Ball - 11/6/2008

Question
I have come across a old fisher wood stove insert that i would like to put in my place and have taken out a fireplace insert. There isn't any brick, all that is exposed is plywood and 2x4's is there a box that is supposed to go inside to protect the combustible materials? also is single wall flew pipe OK for wood stoves? i still have the shroud that goes around it all the way up.

Answer
Hello Chris, all wood stoves (and inserts) have "a minimum clearance to combustibles" with out the manual you will have to check with your local building codes. Inserts go "inside" a masonry fireplace ONLY. now it sounds like you removed a Pre-Fab fireplace and want to install the wood stove there? if so DO NOT DO IT. Single wall is ok inside (20-26 gauge) but out side it must be double wall.
I would have a local Certified Chimney Sweep (www.csia.org, there you can look up by zip code to find one near you) take a first hand look at what you have.
James Ball