The Flue System; General; Suitable Chimneys; Factory Built Insulated Flue Kits - Drolet ESCAPE 1800 Installation And Operation Manual

8. The Venting System

8.1 General

The flue system made up of the flue system and the flue between the wood fire and the flue
system, acts as the engine that drives your wood heating system. Even the best wood fire will
not function safely and efficiently as intended if it is not connected to a suitable flue system.
The heat in the flue gases that pass from the wood fire and flue into the flue system is not waste
heat. This heat is what the flue system uses to make the draft that draws in combustion air,
keeps smoke inside the wood fire and safely vents exhaust to outside. You can think of heat in
the flue gas as fuel the flue system uses to make draft.

8.2 Suitable Chimneys

Your wood fire will provide optimum efficiency and performance when connected to a 150 mm
diameter flue system. The cross-sectional area of the flue shall be within 20 percent of the flue
collar opening.
To be suitable, a factory built Insulated Flue Kit must comply with AS/NZS 2918 Appendix F or
AS/NZS 2918 Appendix B

8.2.1 Factory built insulated flue kits

Factory built flue kits are normally sold as a
complete system, (not just the flue pipe), with all the
components needed to install a heater into a normal
2.4 meters (8 foot) timber stud wall, low pitched roof
home. Each flue kit should contain a set of installation
instructions covering all the components supplied in
the kit. Incorrect installation of these kits is a major
source of post installation problems and no short
cuts should be taken. All components supplied in
the kit are required and should be used to ensure
the installation is correct and safe. It is essential
the flue pipe is manufactured from stainless
steel that meets the specifications stated in AS/
NZS 2918, as stainless steel can be damaged by
excessive stress in the lock forming process or
by faulty machinery.
Installation and Operation Manual - Escape 1800 Page 33