IAFCI Position Statement Dated 01/23/08

RE: Placement of Solid-Fuel and Gas-Burning Inserts into Factory-Built Fireplaces

Position:

It is the position of the IAFCI Board of Directors that the installation of any insert into a factory-built fireplace is a potential fire hazard and may result in a structure fire. This action is considered detrimental to the hearth industry and the clients that it represents. This position is based on the lack of product specific test standard and historical performance of this application.

Commentary:

There is no listing standard for the installation of gas or solid fuel burning insert within UL 127 tested factory-built fireplaces. The current insert manufacturers have applied selected portions of varying standards to gain approval.

With this knowledge and fire investigations to support this opinion, the IAFCI Board has taken a position against this application to prevent fire, personal injury and property damage.

The IAFCI Board is willing to revisit this position if there is a development of a standard that would test the individual insert within a specific factory-built fireplace. This listing should state the specific brand and model of the factory-built fireplace and the insert information. The listing should not allow any modifications or alterations to either appliance that may void the appliance listing, reduce predictability and/or performance, or lessen health, life or fire safety requirements set forth by the adopted Codes. Any modification or alteration to the factory-built fireplace that may result in increased temperatures or void the listing of the original factory-built fireplace should be disallowed. Any modifications or alterations shall not cause an existing system to become unsafe or adversely affect the performance of the either appliance.

Respectfully,
The IAFCI Board of Directors
http://www.membersIAFCI.org/

Last Revised 01/23/08