Solid Fuel Fires

Most installations of solid fuel and wood biomass appliances and systems are subject to requirements of building regulations and must be reported to the local authority in your area by law. You can make sure that you follow your local building using an approved installer or contractor who can provide you with a certificate. This certificate can be shared with HETAS (heating test and Approval Scheme) and they can inform the Local Building Authority.

There is help out there, the Official Guide on approved solid fuel products and services (The Guide HETAS). The guide will help you find installers who are registered under the relevant systems people, who normally participated in the training and supervision using the safe and efficient facility and equipment maintenance.

When you come to sell your home information on the work done under the Building Regulations in England and Wales is used by lawyers on their inquiry forms and failure to demonstrate consistent work, the if any, could hinder the sale of properties. The message is not taking any chances and get a licensed contractor do the work. If you have not saved your construction could also affect your home insurance in case of disaster.

There are a multitude of brands and suppliers of solid fuel appliances. You can search on the internet and the furniture is always a good idea to see the wood stove before you buy and install it. You can also get expert advice from most showrooms solid fuel appliance and is always helpful to have the dimensions of the room, working on the device properly.

When you buy a solid fuel stove, it is best to confirm the type of fuel they can burn, giving you the flexibility of fuel prices can vary considerably and new fuels such as compressed briquettes are being actively marketed. You also need to know about your chimney, if it has a lining and a rough idea of the height of the chimney. You may find that the lining of the chimney with a steel pipe will be more expensive than the solid fuel appliance.

Be aware of building regulations Part J

Building Regulations Part J has been updated since 2002 and can be found on http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADJ_2010pdf explain what are the regulations on the construction of combustion appliances and storage systems for fuel. There are new guidelines for access for visual inspection of hidden utilities. This should ensure that the chimney can be properly inspected when the unit is first commissioned and then maintained.

Building and construction are more closely aligned with Europe and part J has an informative annex that provides an explanation of the European designation system for combustion of certain products from the chimney. You can check with your installer that the installation complies with Part J and the latest European regulations.

Why solid fuel

There is a real pleasure to come home to a solid fuel fire and if you have an existing chimney or may have been convicted, they could again be used to provide heat and a focal point for a room using special fuels solids from a local source. As with all aircraft fuel, treat them properly and you'll be able to enjoy the warmth and the warmth they create.