Hi All,

I have just finished installing a kiln in a basement pottery studio for my
wife. I've done the best I can in terms of ventilation, safe wiring, etc.
but I'm still feeling like it's crazy to have a kiln actually in your
house.

Keep in mind I am a total newbie at this, so I have no idea what to expect.
I guess I'm worried about the massive amount of heat I will be injecting
into the house. Should I be covering the 2 drywall walls that are closest
to the kiln with cement board? The kiln is about 12" away from the wall.
The kiln manufacturer says 8" is enough but I've read as much as 18".

Ventilation:
I mounted a powerful inline fan very close to the exterior wall and then
plumbed it with galvanized duct to a T. From the T I have one branch going
to the bottom facet opposite the peep holes where I have drilled a 3/8"
diameter hole on the joint between 2 firebricks. The endcap of the duct is
held away from the kiln body by standoffs (2 nuts in this case, is there a
recommended distance?). How do I test if I have enough but not too much
flow through this hole? I've tried holder a match flame near the top
peephole (with the kiln off) I can't say I can really see it being pulled
in very much. Maybe my endcap is too far fromt he kiln body, it's
probably stood off about 3/8".

The other branch goes to an aluminum hood which I mounted to the ceiling so
it is about 2.5' above the kiln. I didn't feel I needed to be able to
lower it close to the kiln because I have installed the downdraft vent. I
installed this hood just as a means of keeping the room cooler.

Wiring:
The wiring for the kiln is snaked through the ceiling of the finished
basement and then direct wired to the kiln. I had it professionally
inspected with no issues.

I'm trying hard to cover all the bases as I have to small children and I
don't want to comprosmise anyone's health or safety at all.

Any comments?

Zander