Can You Use Two Wood Stoves on One Pipe?

National Fire Protection Standards

• The National Fire Protection Association prohibits connecting a wood stove to a flue system serving another fuel-burning appliance or amenity, including a second wood stove or fireplace. States across the country incorporate this requirement into major building codes for residential and commercial structures.

  This means it is illegal for licensed building contractors to install multiple fuel-burning appliances into single flue systems or chimneys. Doing so could result in stiff fines from state regulatory agencies and the loss of professional contractor licenses.

Homeowner Insurance Policies

• A homeowner's insurance policy usually has several clauses directly relating to upholding local, state and federal safety regulations while owning and caring for property. Adding a second wood stove to a single flue system would constitute a safety violation under a homeowner's insurance policy.

  This can void the agreement and allow an insurance company a way out of paying for damage to the home caused as a result of the overloaded flue. Without adequate insurance, a homeowner could be personally responsible for tens of thousands of dollars worth of fire and smoke damage to the property.

Carbon Monoxide Buildup

• Burning wood produces carbon monoxide. Under normal flue operation, the smoke from the stove swirls out the chimney and away from the home, allowing residents to breathe clean air. Hooking up a second wood stove to the same flue can cause a buildup of creosote and soot, which clog the system and cause airborne particles to pour into the home.

  Inhaling carbon monoxide in large amounts can cause dizziness, nausea, lung complications, suffocation and death. Burning particles from the two wood stoves can also land on flammable materials in the home and start a fire.

Installation Approval Requirements

• To increase the safety of wood stoves operating in homes, The National Fire Protection Association maintains national standards for local fire marshals and insurance agencies to follow regarding placement and installation.

  Homeowners must have the installation of a wood-burning stove performed by a licensed building contractor and have that installation independently inspected by a state-licensed inspector. The local fire marshal may also need to approve the stove. With all these requirements in place, installing a second wood-burning stove in a manner that violates safety regulations should not be possible.