Drolet Spark DB03400, Installation And Operation Manual, Page: 42 / 56

Spark Installation and Operation Manual
42
9 The Venting System
9.1 General
The venting system, made up of the chimney and the connecting pipe between the stove
and the chimney, acts as the engine that drives your wood heating system. Even the best
stove will not function safely and efficiently as intended if it is not connected to a suitable
chimney.
The heat in the flue gases that pass from the stove and chimney connector into the
chimney is not waste heat. This heat is what the chimney uses to make the draft that
draws in combustion air, keeps smoke inside the stove and safely vents exhaust to
outside. You can think of heat in the flue gas as the fuel the chimney uses to make draft.
9.2 Suitable Chimneys
Your wood stove will provide optimum efficiency and performance when connected to a 6-
inch diameter chimney flue system. The connection to a chimney having a diameter of at
least 5 inches (Canada only) or no more than 7 inches is permitted, if it allows the proper
venting of combustion gases and that such application is verified and authorized by a
qualified installer. Otherwise, the diameter of the flue should be 6 inches.
To be suitable, a factory-built metal
chimney must comply with UL 103 HT
(U.S.A.) or ULC S629 (Canada).
9.2.1 Factory-built Metal Chimneys
These are sometimes referred to as ‘high
temp’ chimneys because they have the
special characteristics to withstand the
temperatures that can be created by wood
burning stoves. Factory-built chimneys are
tested as a system with all the necessary
components
for installation. The
instructions provided with the chimney by
its manufacturer are the only reliable
source of installation guidelines. To be
safe and effective, the chimney must be
installed exactly in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions. Use only
components intended for the brand and
model of chimney you are using. Never
substitute parts from other chimney
brands
or fabricate your own
components. The chimney must be a
type suitable for solid fuel.