There is a general misconception that wood-burning/multifuel stoves are a new phenomenon. In reality they have been used for hundreds of years and been popular in homes across the UK for a number of decades now. True, the design and the look of the modern day stove has been developed as have the regulations which company the installation and use of a wood-burning/multifuel stove. It is therefore very important that you stay on the right side of the law when installing and using your stove.
Building regulations, document J
Whether you install a stove yourself (not advised) or have it installed by a qualified installer (HETAS engineer) the installation will need to comply with document J of the building regulations. These are regulations which are managed by the local authorities although your stove can be signed-off by a HETAS engineer. If the installation was not carried out by a qualified engineer then it must be signed off by a member of the building department of your local authority.
These regulations ensure maximum safety for your stove with regards to ventilation, stove position and flue position. Even if your stove is perfectly safe but has not been signed off by the local authority you could still be in serious trouble. If the stove is unsafe, with no checks carried out by your local authority or a HETAS engineer, then there is every chance that legal action will be taken. These regulations are there to protect those in the house and those in the local vicinity as well as the environment.
Smoke control areas
Those who follow the stove industry will be well aware that we have seen a significant increase in the number of smoke control areas across the UK. This means the type of fuel and appliances which can be used in these areas are restricted by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). It is a serious offence to use the wrong type of fuel/stove in a smoke control area and the authorities are certainly clamping down on this issue. Numerous health reports over the years have suggested that older less efficient stoves can be harmful to the atmosphere. As a consequence, we have seen a growing number of DEFRA approved stoves which can be used in smoke control areas.
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide is often described as the deadly assassin because it has no smell or colour and has been responsible for many deaths over the years. It is therefore extremely important from a safety aspect, as well as a legal point of view, to have a fully functioning carbon monoxide alarm with every stove installation. Failure to do so can result in prosecution by the local authorities not to mention the potential harm to those in the property.
We know that carbon monoxide can be redirected into the property for a variety of reasons. Having a carbon monoxide alarm next to your stove will alert you instantly if there is ANY carbon monoxide in the atmosphere.
Summary
As you can see there are various issues to be aware of when installing and using a wood-burning/multifuel stove across the UK and in particular in smoke control areas. The authorities are clamping down on legal infringements and prosecutions could well follow if you have not followed the letter of the law. If you have any issues, questions or queries, please feel free to contact us and we will assist you where possible.