The Relationship Between The Flue System And The House; Why Inside Flue Systems Are Preferred - Enerzone Solution 1.6 Installation And Operation Manual

The top of the flue system should be tall enough to be above the air turbulence caused when wind
blows against the house and its roof.
The flue exit shall be located outside the building in which the appliance is installed so that:
a) The flue pipe shall extend not less than 4.6 m above the top of the floor protector;
b) The minimum height of the flue system within 3 m distance from the highest point of the
roof shall be 600 mm above that point;
c) The minimum height of the flue system further than 3 m from the highest point of the roof
shall be 1000 mm above roof penetration;
d) No part of any building lies in or above a circular area described by a horizontal radius of 3
m about the flue system exit.

8.4 THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FLUE SYSTEM AND THE HOUSE

Because the flue system is the engine that drives the wood heating system, it must have the right
characteristics. The signs of bad system design are cold downdraught when there is no fire in the
wood fire, slow kindling of new fires, and smoke roll-out when the door is opened for loading.
There are two guidelines to follow. First, the flue system should be installed up through the heated
space of the house, not out and up an outside wall. Second, the flue system should penetrate the
top of the building at or near the highest heated space.

8.4.1 WHY INSIDE FLUE SYSTEMS ARE PREFERRED

Flue systems that rise straight up from the wood fire flue collar provide the best performance. Flue
systems that rise inside the warm space of the house tend to provide a small amount of draft even
when there is no fire burning. This means that when you light a fire, the initial smoke goes up the
flue system and strong draft builds quickly as the flue system warms up. Flue systems that exit a
house wall and run up outside can cause problems.
Good System Design
Inside flue systems are preferred because
even when no fire is burning, there is
normally upward flow in the system.
Solution 1.6 Installation and Operation Manual
Inferior System Design
Outside flue systems are a problem because when
no fire burns they will go into cold downdraught if
the wood fire is installed low in the house.
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