Clearances for a Harman VF3000 Boiler

Coalbrokdale · Post by **Coalbrokdale** » Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 10:56 am

Question on clearances for my new to arrive VF3000 Boiler:

The manual says 36" from the hopper to the wall. Could I have my gas boiler setting next to the VF3 hopper as log as the hopper is a total of 36" away from the wall? Meaning the hopper is 40" from the wall but the Gas boiler is in between VF3K and the wall. Gas boiler is still with in it's recomended clearances.

Here is what the Manual Says:

Installation
Place the boiler a minimum of 18” from a wall. The flue pipe must be at least 18” from anything combustible.
The rear of the hopper should be a minimum of 36” from the wall.
The boiler should be placed on a non-combustible floor.
Install a 6” stove pipe from flue opening to chimney with a barometric damper.
Secure all pipe joints with sheet metal screws.
Set barometric damper at .04 to .06 on draft meter.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 11:09 am

Coalbrokdale wrote:The manual says 36" from the hopper to the wall. Could I have my gas boiler setting next to the VF3 hopper as log as the hopper is a total of 36" away from the wall? Meaning the hopper is 40" from the wall but the Gas boiler is in between VF3K and the wall. Gas boiler is still with in it's recomended clearances.

The clearances for the hopper are so you can fill it easily and/or work on it and/or the stoker, so it is not really a combustion issue. Your gas boiler is non-combustible so it would be a non-issue. My coal and oil boiler are about 1' apart.

Coalbrokdale · Post by **Coalbrokdale** » Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 11:13 am

I was hoping that was the case.

I'm thinking they may also be concerned with the event of a hopper fire or something. Alot of fuel sitting there.

Post by **coaledsweat** » Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 11:19 am

In the view shown, it could be rotated 90* counter clockwise and still perform identically and allow clearance for your gas unit. The coal unit does not have to have its back to the wall, it can have a side to it and perform exactly the same with more room for you gas unit.

Coalbrokdale · Post by **Coalbrokdale** » Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 11:34 am

I thought of that but Hopper needs to be 36" from the wall, based on what they are saying in the manual. If I turn it 90* then hopper would be about 24" from the front wall, since I have to alow the 18" away from the back basement wall. 18" does seem like a lot of distance from a brick wall. Is this code? Gas boiler says 4" and it's 4.5" from the brick wall. I guess I should take the "should be" and "must be" more literal...?

Post by **coaledsweat** » Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 11:57 am

Your drawing doesn't show a front wall. The 18" clearance is for a combustible surface usually, since your walls are brick that clearance is a non-issue. Other than that, if there is nothing to service on the side of the unit, it could go closer to the wall. I would set it up so you have easy access to what you need to service, hopper, ashpan, and stoker. Kicking it to a 45* angle may do that for you.

Coalbrokdale · Post by **Coalbrokdale** » Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 12:32 pm

Oh sorry, no that drawing came from the manual (pg 13) as a reference. My back wall is Brick and the other 3 walls are suds and drywall. Just giving you what it say verbatim.

**Broken Link(s) Removed**

beatle78 · Post by **beatle78** » Thu. Feb. 28, 2008 8:21 pm

did u pull a permit for the install, or are you planning on getting it inspected?

If not, all those clearances are a non issue.... (well except for the possibility of a fire.

I have a stud non finished wall less than 1' from the side of my stoker.....

one thing to remember, if you're getting it inspected, they probably have their own set of "distances".

Perhaps someone can chime in here, but you are probably better off telling them it's a "pellet" stove. When people here "coal" stove the sometimes relate that to wood stove.

Coalbrokdale · Post by **Coalbrokdale** » Fri. Feb. 29, 2008 7:56 am

I haven't received it yet so I'm considering all the options. If it's not to much trouble to do it to code then I will. As far as filing a for permits, it's not that expensive.. $25-50 by me I don't think it will raise my taxes. I think a swimming pool is only $150 for a permit. I'm just trying to figure the best option and positioning of the boiler. I would think the town is going to at the least require the UL list limits I would think..

Can some one with a VF3000 take at look a the UL Listed plate to see what it says for Clearances.

I'm thinking 90* is going to be the best solution as long as I can easily access the Vertifow for service, empty the Ashes and refill the hopper.

coalkirk · Post by **coalkirk** » Fri. Feb. 29, 2008 8:45 am

No UL listing. This boiler was listed by Warnock-Hersey. They are like UL by are more specialized to heating equipment.
sorry for the poorly focused picture but they say 18" back and both sides.

.JPG | 75.9KB | IMG_9171.jpg

LsFarm · Post by **LsFarm** » Fri. Feb. 29, 2008 8:50 am

Like coaledsweat said, remember, you will be accessing the hopper and ashpan daily... so make them easily accessable.. Nothing like having to do some contortionist-act to load the hopper or pull out the ashpan.. it gets really old really quick.

Greg L
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Coalbrokdale · Post by **Coalbrokdale** » Fri. Feb. 29, 2008 11:47 am

The Keyword is in fact "Combustible Materials"

Nice....... Thank you guys. Yeah I don't think the hopper "HAS" to be more the 18 inches. But It will require some room if it needed to be removed from the unit. I'll have a good 24-30" at least between it and a wall. But in at a 90* angle I'll have full access to fire box and ash pan.

I may build a Coal bin Outside and and use a 4 Inch PVC pipe as a shoot into the bin.

Clearances for a Harman VF3000 Boiler

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