Over the years, we really have seen and heard some horror stories regarding stove installations across Nottinghamshire.  Many unsuspecting home owners have moved in to a new residence and have assumed that the existing stove was fitted safely.  As time passes, it is often revealed that the stove was installed without adhering to the vitally important safety specifications that HETAS insist upon as they weren`t installed by a registered installer.

Over time, we have had to rectify many of these installations, so we thought it wise to share some of this information. Installations that were not only badly put together by the previous non- HETAS installer, but extremely dangerous for the occupants of the house.  Most recently, a flue pipe that ran through a wardrobe and a stove that was more like a ticking bomb as it was placed (unknowingly by the occupants) dangerously close to a live gas feed.

Of course, even the best installations of stoves can still be problematic if the occupant is not using them properly. A little maintenance, some common sense and using the best quality wood will keep you problem free.

The room that your stove is placed in should have enough air coming into the room.  Any stove over 5KW requires an airbrick to ensure this and reduce the likelihood of airborne particulate within the room. Particulate within the room has the potential to be hazardous to heath, more so for those with a pre-existing respiratory illness.
Carbon Monoxide is produced when fossil fuels burn without a good supply of air. It is a colourless, odourless and tasteless gas which is difficult to detect. And If that happens in a room without adequate ventilation, levels can build up dangerously. Tell-tale signs of carbon monoxide emissions included 'black sooty marks' on the wall around the stove, boiler or fire and smoke accumulating in rooms due to faulty flues.
By law, every wood burning stove installed should have a carbon monoxide alarm fitted in the immediate vicinity. Once your HETAS engineer has placed your alarm in a suitable place, please leave it where it is.
Wood burning stoves must be placed on a fire-resistant base. Due to the extreme heat in the fire box, placement on laminate/wooden  floors or carpet is forbidden.

The most common causes of chimney fires are:

• Infrequent sweeping or cleaning - The chimney should be cleaned at the end of each heating season and at least once during the  heating season. It should also be inspected regularly. If the creosote is not removed through yearly  cleaning, there is a significant danger of the creosote igniting and causing a chimney fire.
• Burning unseasoned wood
• Improper appliance sizing and overnight burning/slumbering of wood for long periods in wood/multifuel stoves. 
• If the wood burner has been used slowly for some time (eg overnight), then have a period of hot, faster burns to dry out any creosote residue in the chimney.
• Do not stack logs or any other combustible material directly next to the stove.
• The wood should be dry and well-seasoned. Wet or newly-felled wood can cause tar or creosote to form in the wood burner  and chimney.
• Children should be educated about the dangers of fire and should not be permitted near hot surfaces or the stove door.
• Use a protective fire guard that is suited to the design of the stove within your property.
• Use extra caution and proper protection when opening the stove door, adding to the fire or touching any part of the wood burning stove to prevent yourself from getting burnt. 
• For open fires, always place a fireguard in front of the fire, do not overload the grate or build the fire too high, dispose of ash properly and regularly.
• Do not dry or air clothes in front of the fire and ensure the fire is out before you go to bed.
• Never use paraffin or petrol to light a fire in your house.

We certainly wouldn’t be without our wood burner in our home.  We rarely use our central heating during the winter as it is so efficient.  If you feel that you need your stove looking at or are considering  installing one then do get in touch.  Used and installed correctly you have no need to worry about its safety and will get hours of comfort and enjoyment.
 

We had an emergency call out recently to assess an old Aga. When the home owners` Carbon Monoxide alarm went off in the house they have just moved in to, they called the fire brigade. A reading of 14,000 parts per million of Carbon Monoxide was recorded. Thankfully, they had had a window open as 12,000 gives you about 3 minutes until you fall asleep and die from poisoning. The fire brigade disabled the pipe work and ventilated the property. The couple spent the weekend in hospital on oxygen. Carbon Monoxide alarms must be fitted in the immediate vicinity of a solid fuel installation by law. Please don't be tempted to move them after your HETAS engineer has left. Carbon alarms should have a minimum of 7 years battery life. Make a note of when that is up and please, please replace them. If you haven't got one, then PLEASE buy one. They are literally life savers.