American Energy Systems O2 Catalytic - Manual (Page 19)

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b. Determine the R-value of the proposed alternate floor protector.
i. Use the formulas provided in STEP 2 to convert values not expressed as “R.”
ii. For multiple layers of material, add each R-value of each layer to determine the materials overall R-
Value.
c. If the overall R-value of the alternate material is greater than the tested material defined in STEP 1, then the
alternate floor protection is acceptable.
d. EXAMPLE:
i. The tested material was 3/8 inch thick with a k-factor of 0.85.
ii. The R-value of the tested material was R = (1/0.85) x 3/8 = 0.44.
iii. Suppose the tested material is to be replaced by 4-inch brick material with a C of 1.25.
iv. The R-value of the alternate brick material is R = (1/1.25) = 0.80. Since the R-value of the alternate brick
material [R = 0.80] is greater than the tested material’s R-value [R = 0.44] then the alternate material is acceptable for use
in the specific application.
3. Listed Floor Protector Definitions:
a. Thermal Conductance = C = Btu/(hr)(ft
2
)(
O
F) = W/(m
2
)(
O
K)
b. Thermal Conductivity = k = (Btu)(inch)/(hr)(ft
2
)(
O
F) = W/(m)(
O
K) = Btu/(hr)(ft)(
O
F)
c. Thermal Resistance = R = (ft
2
)(hr)(
O
F)/Btu = (m
2
)(
O
K)/W
d. HEARTH EXTENSIONS must total an R-value equivalent to or greater than 2.0 to ensure proper floor
protection for combustible materials.
4. WARNING: A catalytic stove must always be placed on a listed floor protector if the existing floor where the stove
is to be placed is made of any combustible material. IF THE AREA WHERE THE STOVE IS TO BE PLACED IS
CARPETED, THE CARPET MUST BE REMOVED. A LISTED FLOOR PROTECTOR IS NEVER TO BE
PLACED ON CARPET. CHECK LOCAL CODES FOR ADDITIONAL CARPET RESTRICTIONS AND FLOOR
PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS.
CHIMNEY REQUIREMENTS
The installer must be prepared to deal with one of two different types of chimneys that will be encountered during the
installation of a freestanding catalytic stove. The chimney systems are defined as follows:
1 FACTORY BUILT CHIMNEY: Stainless steel pipe with interlocking sections that can be double walled or
triple wall air-cooled or double wall-insulated stovepipe. In the event that a factory built chimney already exists, a
certified chimney professional should inspect the chimney system for mechanical or structural weakness, broken, leaky,
corroded or warped joints or any other signs that would indicate the need for replacement. All sections of chimney that
pass through the floors, ceilings, or attics should be inspected for proper installation, adherence to code, and correct
installation to protect from overheating.
2
MASONRY BUILT CHIMNEY: Masonry chimneys are built with several different types of brick material.
The outer brick is for appearance and the inner brick (called tile) are designed to withstand high temperature exhaust gases
being emitted from the fire. A good masonry chimney system should not have cracks, loose mortar, missing sections of
tile, other signs of deterioration or blockage of the flue. A qualified mason should perform construction or repairs to a
masonry chimney. Inspection of a chimney should be completed by a certified chimney sweep and before a new stove is
attached, the chimney sweep should certify the chimney has no obstruction and is clean of creosote and debris.
3
OVERSIZED CHIMNEY: Regardless of the type of chimney used, over sizing a chimney will result in reduced
performance of the catalytic stove. A chimney’s flue size should be no more than three (3) times the cross sectional area
of the flue size of the catalytic stove’s flue collar. EXAMPLE: Assume the stove’s flue collar has an inside diameter of 6”.
This means the stove’s flue area is approximately 28 square inches, which means the chimney’s cross sectional area
cannot exceed 84 square inches. This means the chimney flue pipe or clay liner diameter must be less than 10” in
diameter. The installer should ensure a chimney is of proper size over the full length of the chimney. If not, install a
properly sized liner to ensure optimal performance of the catalytic stove that is being installed.