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Chimney and Wood Stove Safety in NH

Updated 2026-10-10 · 5 min read

Annual chimney inspections, creosote, dry firewood, EPA-certified stoves, ash disposal, NH's carbon monoxide detector law and what to ask a chimney sweep.

Why chimneys matter in New Hampshire

Heating is a top cause of home fires in New Hampshire, and chimneys are a big part of that. The NH State Fire Marshal's Office reported more than 1,300 chimney fires in the state from 2017 to 2021, over half of all heating fires in that period.

Yearly maintenance, the right firewood and a few habits around the stove go a long way. Fall, before the first fire of the season, is the time to get it done.

Get the chimney inspected every year

Fire safety agencies agree on this one. The NFPA, the U.S. Fire Administration, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the NH State Fire Marshal all recommend having chimneys and heating equipment inspected and cleaned every year by a qualified professional. NFPA suggests doing it before the heating season starts. This isn't only for wood: the Fire Marshal says all chimneys and vents should be inspected each year, and CPSC's list includes furnaces and boilers along with fireplaces and wood stoves.

If heating costs are a strain, the Fire Marshal's Office points residents to the NH Department of Energy for information on fuel assistance and local Community Action Agencies.

Creosote and how to limit it

Creosote is the buildup that collects inside a flue when wood burns. CPSC warns that fireplaces can start fires if chimneys are cracked, blocked or coated with creosote. ReadyNH, the state's emergency preparedness site, advises anyone who heats with wood to have the flue checked for creosote and cleaned before winter.

The Fire Marshal's advice is to burn a hot fire, not a smoldering one, using clean, dry wood. EPA's best wood-burning practices page adds:

Wood burns best at a moisture content below 20 percent. A moisture meter lets you check before you burn.
Season firewood for at least six months. Store it outdoors, off the ground, with only the top covered.
Don't burn trash, cardboard, plastics, painted, coated or pressure-treated wood, plywood, particle board, driftwood, or wet or moldy wood.

Choosing and installing a stove

According to EPA, most wood stoves in homes are not EPA-certified, and certified stoves burn cleaner and more efficiently. EPA's guide to choosing an appliance links to its database of certified wood stoves, inserts, hydronic heaters and furnaces. Note that EPA stopped updating its Burn Wise program pages on October 30, 2025, so treat them as a reference that may not reflect the newest models.

Have a qualified professional install heating equipment according to local codes and the manufacturer's instructions, as the Fire Marshal recommends. Follow the clearances and floor protection in the stove's installation instructions, and keep those instructions handy. EPA notes that installation mistakes by a non-professional may not be visible, and that installers can hold a National Fireplace Institute (NFI) certification (EPA installation and maintenance).

Gas fireplaces and gas inserts are different. New Hampshire licenses fuel gas fitters through the Mechanical Licensing Board, and one license category is Hearth System Installation and Service. Ask a gas hearth installer for their license.

Permits are local

State law lets towns adopt the Fire Marshal's model code for solid fuel heating appliances and require inspections, with a reasonable fee charged to the property owner (RSA 31:117). Requirements vary. New Hampton, for example, requires a building permit from the Selectmen's Office, a separate fire department permit and an inspection for any interior wood-fired heating system.

Before installing or replacing a stove, insert or chimney liner, call your town's building department and fire department and ask what they require. Our building permit guide explains how local permitting works.

Clearances, screens and ashes

From the NH State Fire Marshal and EPA:

Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from wood stoves, fireplaces, space heaters and radiators, and keep a 3-foot kid-free zone around open fires.
Use a sturdy fireplace screen to stop sparks.
Let ashes cool, then put them in a metal container. EPA recommends a covered metal container, stored outdoors on a nonflammable surface. The Fire Marshal says to keep it a safe distance from the house.
Never use an oven to heat your home.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

Any wood, oil, gas or kerosene appliance can produce carbon monoxide (CO), which you can't see, smell or taste. New Hampshire law (RSA 153:10-a) requires fire warning devices (smoke alarms) and CO detectors in every multi-unit dwelling and rental unit, and in single-family homes built or substantially rehabilitated after January 1, 2010. Homes with no attached garage and no fuel-burning appliance are exempt from the CO part until one is added. In rentals, the owner must keep the devices in working order.

Even if the law doesn't cover your house, the Fire Marshal recommends alarms in every home:

Smoke alarms inside bedrooms, outside sleeping areas and on every level, including the basement.
CO alarms in a central spot outside each sleeping area and on every level, including the basement.
Test alarms monthly. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years and CO alarms every 5 to 7 years, following the manufacturer's instructions.
CPSC recommends battery-operated alarms or alarms with battery backup, and says interconnected alarms are best (CPSC).
CO poisoning symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness and confusion. If you suspect it, get outside to fresh air, then call 911.

Hiring a chimney sweep

We did not find a New Hampshire state license for chimney sweeps; OPLC's licensing boards cover electricians, plumbers and fuel gas fitters, among others, but not sweeps. Some sweeps hold a credential from the Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA), a private organization. Its Certified Chimney Sweep credential requires passing an exam and renewing on a three-year cycle. It's a useful sign of training, but it is not a government license.

When you hire a sweep or a chimney contractor, ask what the inspection covers, whether you'll get a written report and photos, and for proof of insurance. For masonry repairs such as crowns or rebuilt chimney tops, look for experienced masons. Our contractor hiring checklist covers contracts and payments.

If you add or replace a wood stove, it's worth asking your insurance agent whether they want to know about it or need any paperwork from the installation.

This guide is general information. Rules vary by town, so confirm permit and inspection requirements with your building department and fire department.