Tim J Havens on sun 9 jul 00
Yeaaaa John ; any potter out there installing a kiln in an area that has
codes - read and remember - - - ---- - - - -- - -
I've only one thing to add - never , never alienate the inspector , They
may seem like a - - - - but they are the law ; be nice and ask for help
. They are cold and offish because they are unfamiliar with this stuff -
- - afraid ; usually. The whole trip may be an education for you both -
you can help change the code book in your county and make it easier on
those who follow. Be gentile ; it will save you money.
Alohaz Tim
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John Baymore on sun 9 jul 00
(part two of previous message)
It has been a while since I did a new MA installation.......... it is
possible that they now have changed the state regs and require a licenced=
engineer for ALL gas kiln plans. I'll have to call them and check next
week. That'd be a real pain.
Massachusetts, unlike most other states I have dealt within, actually has=
written into it's formal fuel gas code some standards for studio
ceramics-type pottery kilns. Any gas fired studio kiln built in the Stat=
e
of Mass. is governed by these specific codes. One of the most basic part=
s
of this regulation is that the State Gas Board must approve ALL gas kiln
installations in the State. The codes involved are, in my estimation, no=
t
unduly restrictive if you assume that the standards have to be sort of
"idiot proof"....which is the job of the State to oversee.
If you want to put in a gas kiln fired on high pressure propane supplied
through garden hose connected with hose clamps to venturi burners with no=
flame safety, venting the chimney with standard galvanized stovepipe run
through a home-made roof penetration unit up through three wooden
floors....... then you are probably just plain out of luck in Mass. for a=
legal installation. But a reasonably well done installation typically
does not have any problems. Typically the more urban the more costly it
works out, and natural gas will typically require more sophisticated (rea=
d
costly too ) flame safety than propane. The more complicated the
venting of the appliance (multiple penetration points or multi story
building).... the more costly.
If they (MSFGB) are completely denying a particular installation in a
particular site and you have done the "due dilligance", got a kiln
designer/installer involved, got engineers involved as needed, and got al=
l
of the "ducks in a row" on the documentation.............. then they are
probably correct. The kiln should not be installed in that loaction, and=
everyone involved in the project is "pushing the optimism envelope" in
attempting to do it .
More often when there are problems with getting a kiln installation
approved I find that it is the LOCAL town officials that are the real
problem. Sometimes it is the "business" issue in a residential
neighborhood. Sometimes it is the neighbors concerned about fire,
explosion, or property values. The more "NIMBY"-ish the town or the
section of town, the harder it is to get a gas kiln (or wood kiln) in
there. Historic districts can be death on gas kiln installations . =
Mostly it is simply the fear of the unknown. If the town government
"approves" the installation..... then should disaster strike...... they
will have to justify to residents WHY they approved it in the first place=
. =
Uncomfortable position. If you know little about the risks of a particul=
ar
thing, it is scary to "approve" it. Better to say "no" than to possibly
alienate future voters .
These town concerns can often be dealt with, given some skill, aequate
time, and care about others feelings.
What is VERY interesting to me has always been this bit of an anomoly in
gas kiln regulation in MA......... specific studio-type gas kiln
regulations written into state codes. In most places, the applicable
"code" for a studio gas kiln is open to wide interpretation as to exactly=
what codes to apply (which is either a blessing or a curse ), since
studio pottery kilns are not usually mentioned in ANY specific regulation=
s.
There are gas codes..... but exactly how to "classify" how a gas kiln fi=
ts
into the regulations is unclear.... and so open to interpretation. This
leaves a lot of discression to the local "powers that be" and opens the
door to "negotiations" on certain points. These "negotiations" can often=
keep costs down....and yet STILL provide for a reasonably safe
installation. This can be a two edged sword though. The lack of gas kil=
n
specifics can ALSO have the local inspectors/zoning folks to classify the=
unit as an "industrial furnace"..... usually causing all sorts of problem=
s
.
In most "local control" cases though, if the local inspector is
"comfortable" with you and what you are proposing.... you can work with
him/her. Sending the plans off to downtown Boston takes all personal
connection out of the loop...... feels very intimidating......... and
places all of the judgement of merit on the "paper presentation" you are
making. So it makes the paper presentation of paramont importance. This=
paper presentation approach is not something that potters are usually
highly comfortable with. Sort of like doing a major NEA grant
proposal...... a major nailbiting undertaking .
In the kiln design course that I teach, the final project is to prepare a=
set of plans for formal submission to an "approving body". I stress the
imporance that this paper presentation can have. A good, professional
looking submission can create an impression of competence that extends in=
to
the design and operation of the unit as well. I also stress the effect o=
f
"document creep" in regard to this stuff .......... a kiln presentation
that 20 years ago would have been "slick"...... today would barely "cut t=
he
mustard". Computers have caused the level of paper that crosses people's=
desks to look better and better. So expectations change as a result. =
Marshall McCluen had it right...... the medium is the massage. You want
your presentation to be taken seriously....... and it has to get past the=
"fast eyeball" first. If the quick glance says "amatuer endeavor".......=
..
the assumption is that the CONTENT is not up to snuff either. Then someo=
ne
goes looking to prove themselves right in their snap judgement......
looking for problems.
Someday I'll ask the MSFGB about HOW this specific situation ever got
started. I have been consulting on and installing gas kilns in Mass. sin=
ce
the early 70's (used to frequently work for Cutter as an independent
consultant / kiln designer). This situation has been in place for about =
25
years or so, if I am remembering correctly. I have never heard about one=
specific major studio kiln disaster or anything that precipitated the
writing of the regs into code. But it has been in place for a long time.=
=
It is quite curious.
Unfortunately, this oversight authority adds a layer of cost to the typic=
al
gas kiln installation in MA that most potters sorely want to avoid, and i=
f
they come from out of state, are unfamiliar with. It also sort of requir=
es
that the installation be done certain ways.... and precludes a lot of
"cheap" potter-type solutions. Not too many corners are left to cut.
So.... I guess if you want to go AROUND them or ignore them.... and the
local town authorities are telling you to get the plans approved by
them.......... then I guess I'd have to say that I AM "none too
encouraging". Give the MSFGB what they want to look at, meet the
appropriate codes, and of course pay the bills for supplying all that, an=
d
you shouldn't have too much of a problem.
Best,
..........................john
John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086 USA
603-654-2752 (s)
800-900-1110 (s)
JBaymore@compuserve.com
John.Baymore@GSD-CO.com
"Earth, Water, and Fire Noborigama Woodfiring Workshop August 18-27,
2000"
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