WoodBurner Installation Questions

[V8RX7]

I've read lots of info and spoken to a HETAS installer and from what I can see I can't do a fully compliant install so I'm looking for as near as possible because frankly the rules I've been told are in force are ridiculous.

I'm fitting an older Yeoman stove into a new kitchen extension - I'm told this is impossible due to the extractor fan.
I'm told a HETAS engineer cannot re fit an older stove due to it not having a data plate

Essentially I want to refit a stove that was fitted in the lounge into the large kitchen / diner on a granite hearth.

It is NOT going in a fireplace - it's freestanding - I'd like it as close to the wall as possible and I'd prefer not to have a fireback - how close can I go ?

The rules I've seen class skimmed plasterboard as combustible so 500mm away, if I use a 30mm granite fireback how close can I go 150mm ?

My granite is 750mm wide, the rules state 840 minimum but the measurements required in front and behind the appliance I can comply with, within 740mm so surely that's good enough ?

[hast2]

Are you reading "Building Regulations - Document J"? It gives the dimensions that should be used for Stoves ***** UP TO 50KW ******

I'm no expert, and not condoning going outwith the regulations, but if your stove is a 5KW for example, it won't be producing nearly as much heat as a 50KW,..............just putting that thought out there

[marcusgrant]

Chances are it'll be absolutely fine. It's just whether you're willing to take the tiny risk that if your house burns down because of it, and it's not signed off, you're going to have problems with insurance (I'd guess anyway).

There probably 00000's of fire out there not to HETAS regs.

[V8RX7]

I was looking at the Stove manufacturers instructions for the same model (same size but it has minor air control changes)

The HETAS guy freely admitted he felt foolish telling people that their current installations, that have been fine for xxx yrs are now considered dangerous.

[Herbs]

You should be fine with that - if it is easy enough, i'd probably replace the plasterboard with the fireboard equivalent (pink) for extra peace of mind as it's a pretty easy swap, even more so if you are covering it up with granite.

[LeadFarmer]

I was told by a Hetas fitter that a stove couldnt be fitted into a room with an extractor fan, such as a kitchen, as the extractor could restrict the available air needed by the stove. My kitchen/livingroom is open plan so the extractor fan in the kitchen meant I couldnt have a stove installed in my living room. So I got another Hetas fitter round who didn't mention anything about the extractor fan. Guess which fitter i used ...;-)

You could consider having a large pile of glass behind the stove to act as the heat break. Some stoves like mine can also be stood on a hearth that as thin as 12mm in thickness (Woodwarm Phoenix Firegem).

I got the necessary HETAS certificate from the fitter, despite the fact my install doesn't even comply as the gaps between the sides of the stove and the fireplace are less than 150mm. I found that Hetas fitters don't all seem to know the rules, every one I had round gave me different and contradicting advice, so just get one thats happy to do what you want and still issue the certificate. As long as theres nothing glaringly wrong with the install you should be fine. Even when you get the Hetas install certificate theres nothing stopping you from changing the install at a later date, other than your conscience.

[C0ffin D0dger]

LeadFarmer said:

I was told by a Hetas fitter that a stove couldnt be fitted into a room with an extractor fan, such as a kitchen, as the extractor could restrict the available air needed by the stove. My kitchen/livingroom is open plan so the extractor fan in the kitchen meant I couldnt have a stove installed in my living room. So I got another Hetas fitter round who didn't mention anything about the extractor fan. Guess which fitter i used ...;-)

Same setup here, the extractor never got a mention and we had three different quotes for a stove. Was back in 2010 so maybe the rules have changed.

To be honest if the stove happens to be lit and we're cooking then the windows tend to get opened as it all gets a bit too warm Plenty of air for it then.

[V8RX7]

I've been googling UK images of freestanding stoves - it's hard to find any that meet the Regs.

[Simpo Two]

You know H&S has achieved its objective when all options are mutually incompatible and nothing can be done. The men with clipboards will be having an extra drink of alcohol-free beer from plastic containers tonight.

[-Pete-]

Simpo Two said:

You know H&S has achieved its objective when all options are mutually incompatible and nothing can be done. The men with clipboards will be having an extra drink of alcohol-free beer from plastic containers tonight.