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<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: According to Standards
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which sets the standards for fire prevention, does not prohibit the use of a 90-degree turn in a chimney. NFPA emphasizes the importance of using factory-produced stovepipe that meets the manufacturer's recommendations.
On the Other: Safety Recommendations
The University of Idaho Extension suggests that 90-degree bends in pipe contribute to buildup of soot and creosote, blocking the flow of gases and creating a fire hazard. They suggest that you "try to have no more than one right angle turn between the stove and the chimney," but do not address the issue of using a bend in the chimney itself.
Bottom Line
Wood-stove installation often requires the use of a 90-degree turn in the pipe that connects the stove to the chimney, since the stove must be placed at the recommended distance from the wall. Using an additional 90-degree turn in the chimney itself violates safety recommendations because it likely creates a fire hazard.
Source:
University of Idaho, Cooperative Extension System: Wood Stove Installation and Safety
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