Combustion Air Intake Question

Zinj · Post by **Zinj** » Mon. Sep. 23, 2013 6:02 am

I recently had a conversation with a chimney sweep that was very much pro 3" combustion air intake pipe. His point of view did make sense especially considering I usually run a box fan in the attic window during summer to keep the heat from the roof down...and if I don't have all the upstairs windows and maybe a few 1st floor windows open I can pull air out the baro. My only concern is that pipe could provide fresh air if a fire started (outside the stoker) in the basement for whatever reason. Two question I have: 1) is there any readily available fire damper for this application? 2) Am I over thinking this because in all likelihood the old single pane window, above the oil tank, would most likely break due to a fire anyway? I know that shutting off a 3" air intake wouldn't keep the whole house from burning down but maybe it could provide a few extra seconds to get out. Thoughts?

Thanks,
Zinj

Rigar · Post by **Rigar** » Mon. Sep. 23, 2013 6:33 am

make up air for combustion is an excellent idea...and so is the fire damper-but thats probably over doing it.

what type of construction is your basement?
is it pretty air tight?
is part or most of your foundation above ground?

blrman07 · Post by **blrman07** » Mon. Sep. 23, 2013 6:52 am

This topic was beat up pretty good in the following link. Supplying ducting for excess air for combustion is a requirement for burning anything indoors. My place was built in 1895 and the cheapest way to seal up the house envelope is to tear it down and build a new house.

Try this link....

Air Requirements for Coal Combustion

Rev. Larry

coalkirk · Post by **coalkirk** » Mon. Sep. 23, 2013 8:22 am

Yes you are over thinking it. A fire damper in your make up air pipe won't matter in a fire. And since you mentioned a single pane window over your oil tank, I'm going to assume your home is older. Like all older homes it has lots of opportunites for outside air infiltration. Your 3" pipe just helps to manage where it enters the home.

Post by **Lightning** » Mon. Sep. 23, 2013 7:29 pm

blrman07 wrote:This topic was beat up pretty good in the following link. Supplying ducting for excess air for combustion is a requirement for burning anything indoors. My place was built in 1895 and the cheapest way to seal up the house envelope is to tear it down and build a new house.

Try this link....

Air Requirements for Coal Combustion

Rev. Larry

Yikes, I would advise everyone to not read this thread

mikeandgerry · Post by **mikeandgerry** » Wed. Sep. 25, 2013 2:35 pm

just open the window. forget the rest.