Chimney & Fireplaces/Automatic Door damper?

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Expert: Paul Karthaeuser - 1/16/2012


Question
Hello,
 I presently have two wood stoves. One in a garage and one in our home.
Years ago I owned a small stove that had an automatic damper mounted to the front of the door. The dampers was really nothing more than a coiled piece of steel with a flapper damper and a knob to adjust the tension of the spring for different tensions resulting in different temp. settings.
Since the stove in the garage is 1/4" steel on the door with existing front manual screw dampers I could easily adapt such a damper to it.
The stove in the house has two front doors with removable panels for glass and I could also easily fabricate a 1/4" plate for the damper also.
Do you know of such a damper and if so can you supply it along with specs. or if not do you know who does.
     Thank you,
        Richard

Answer
Richard,

I'm sorry but I have no experience with such a damper or device.  In fact I have never even seen one of these so I am doing my best to visualize your words but being that I am unfamiliar with it I cannot guide you in the direction of who might supply or fabricate something like this for you.

I will tell you this though.  If the woodstoves you are describing are UL or otherwise tested and listed woodstoves you ought not consider altering them in any way not approved by the manufacturer specifically as you will void the listing, warranty and leave yourself in a position where, in the event of a loss, you will not be covered by your homeowners insurance policy.  Check with the woodstove manufacturers for allowable components and alterations before moving forward with your plan would be my advice to you.

Sorry I cannot help you find what you are looking for.

Paul

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Paul Karthaeuser

Expertise

I am a Chimney/State Licensed Building Inspector and New Jersey State Superior Court Recognized Expert Witness in the chimney, hearth and venting categories. I hold certifications in sweeping chimneys, installing wood and pellet stoves, chimney inspections and have performed countless repairs and rebuilds of chimneys. I perform many inspections for real estate transactions, school systems and churches as well as residential chimney inspections and repairs. Experience is good, education with experience is better. Ask me anything fireplace, woodstove, chimney, pellet stove or venting related. Any questions related to a chimney, hearth appliance or venting system for residential use.

Experience

I have six years experience in the field with inspections, repairs and installations of all types of hearth appliances fired by wood, wood pellets, coal, oil and gas. Fireplaces, pellet stoves, woodstoves, inserts and factory built systems.

Organizations
International Association of Fireplace and Chimney Inspectors-Charter Member New Jersey Chimney Sweep Guild-President (current) New Jersey Chimney Sweep Guild Board of Directors- present and past National Fire Protection Assc. Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Assc.

Education/Credentials
State Licensed Building Inspector- NJ License #010429 I.A.F.C.I. Certified Professional Inspector CPI-#009 F.I.R.E. Certified Fireplace and Chimney Inspector #FP-168 National Fireplace Institute-Certified Woodburning Specialist #157063 -Certified Pellet-burning Specialist #157063 C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep #6587 NJ Superior Court Recognized Expert Witness- Chimney, Venting and Hearth Appliances

Past/Present Clients
Various churches, school systems and private clients represented in court matters.

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