The installation of a wood-burning or multifuel stove is heavily regulated. All installations must be signed off by a HETAS qualified person or the local authority building control department. Therefore, finding a responsible and qualified installer is very important. There will be serious repercussions for those who install stoves without the necessary qualifications and paperwork.
Some of the more common issues to look out for include:-
Register plate fitting
Any sensible stove owner or stove installer would be horrified to learn that some apparently “qualified” installers have in the past used combustible materials as a register plate. We have seen instances of chipboard and other similar material used in place of steel. Aside from the fact there are tight regulations regarding the distance between your stove/flue pipe and combustible materials, this does not make sense.
Using a material which could itself catch fire and be compromised at a relatively early stage is crazy. A register plate not only protects your stove from debris falling down the chimney but from potentially poisonous fumes entering your room.
Incorrectly installed flue liners
Companies which manufacture flue liners are under great pressure to make them a simple and safe as possible. The fact that flue liners today have an arrow which should point up to the chimney, i.e. rising air, would you think be enough of a clue. Unfortunately, there have been instances where flue liners have been installed with the arrow pointing down which can have potentially dangerous ramifications. Is someone who can install a piece of equipment with arrows pointing the wrong way someone you would trust with your life?
How dangerous are stove gas leaks?
Aside from the fact that a stove installation should only be carried out by qualified personnel and/or signed off by the local building control department, there are simple safety regulations in place. The installation of a carbon monoxide alarm is a legal obligation these days. This effectively alerts you to the presence of carbon monoxide, which is an odourless and colourless killer gas. There will be times when stove parts are compromised and the presence of a carbon monoxide alarm will alert you immediately.
Unfortunately, there have been too many instances of rogue installers taking scant notice of regulations. We have seen instances where machines where leaking from day one and faulty/non-existent carbon monoxide alarms. Its simple, the regulations are there to protect people and should be respected.
Stove installation and safety
Whatever type of stove you acquire it will come with instructions and clear guidance on issues such as combustible materials. The basic regulations are that all stoves must be at least 50 mm from the rear wall. A greater distance will be required if made of combustible material. The Internet is littered with stove installations which “look the part” but on further investigation are compromised by combustible materials. If you just imagine the heat created by a wood-burning or multifuel stove. A combustible material too close to your machine will eventually be compromised.
Building regulations for stove installations
The vast majority of stoves are installed by HETAS qualified personnel (with no additional sign off required) but this is not always the case. We have seen instances of so-called “competent” individuals installing stoves which should legally have been signed off by the local authority building control department. Even though stove installation may “look the part” there are many factors to take into consideration. Failure to have a stove installation signed off by your local authority is illegal. Aside from the fact it is also potentially dangerous there are other implications. Insurance claims may well be null and void if involving an “illegally installed” stove.
Conclusion
While competition in all areas of business is intense there are areas where you should not even contemplate cutting corners. The safety and well-being of you and your family should always be paramount. Using unqualified personnel to install your stove is dangerous. Ignoring building regs is just crazy. Building regulations are there to ensure the safety of individuals in the immediate and local vicinity. As the clampdown on wood-burning and multifuel stoves continues, expect local authority building control departments to get even tougher.
When installing a stove, safety should come first. A flawed installation is not only expensive to rectify but could prove fatal. Therefore, you should always deal with qualified personnel.