Coal Fires

[b2dan]

I've currently got a gas fire in a fire place. The top of the fire place has been capped with either plasterboard/ fire proof board but I think the rest of the chimney is open (on a windy day you can hear the air moving in the chimney).

If I take out the fire/plasterboard are there any regulations that I need to get to put a coal/wood fire in?

b2

[Kermit power]

Don't know about regulations (other than checking what you can or can't burn in terms of smokeless fuels) but I'd certainly get a chimney sweep in before you do anything else.

[Hereward]

Agree with the need to get a chimney sweep in. They will advise if a liner is necessary and check the overall condition of the chimney.

Get a multi-fuel stove so you can burn both coal and wood.

[dr_gn]

Make sure you've got enough ventilation too. When I built my house in '04 (with an open fire), the regulation was that you needed one air brick either side of the hearth to supply the room with fresh air. If it's a modern house which is fairly air tight, an open fire will use the air in the room very quickly and you need to make sure you can replace it.

You may/may not need a vented capping on your chimney pot to reduce the draw of the chimney, or to stop down draughts. It's all a bit experimental with a new open fire.

Also, make sure that if you have insulated plaster board on the walls around the hearth that the open ends are sealed. Otherwise the insulation will melt (ask me how I know).

EDIT: And of course you need a constructional hearth (ie something under the fire that won't burn!). there are regulations for the plan size of the hearth too. I've got all the min. dimensions for fireplaces if you need them.

Edited by dr_gn on Monday 30th November 20:25

[rlw]

Also invest in a good vacuum cleaner, a dustpan and brush, lots of thick black bags and say hello to a lot of mess.

Edited by rlw on Monday 30th November 20:26

[SS2.]

rlw said:

Also invest in a good vacuum cleaner, a dustpan and brush, lots of thick black bags and say hello to a lot of mess.

Yes, but its well worth it IMO - there's not much which beats an open fire crackling away on those cold winter's evenings..

[rocksteadyeddie]

Henry Hoover off Ebay is your friend

[b2dan]

Thanks for the advice. The house was built in 1822 so the hearth should be up to scratch! Will get a sweep in though to check. I can put up with the mess, an open fire will be so much better than the gas fire that's there already!

b2

[dr_gn]

b2dan said:

Thanks for the advice. The house was built in 1822

b2

Should be fine then...and have enough draughts to ventilate it!

[b2dan]

Going to get in touch with a chimey sweep tomorrow. Hopefully before the weekend I'll have a proper fire going! Thanks for the advice chaps.

b2

[dr_gn]

b2dan said:

Going to get in touch with a chimey sweep tomorrow. Hopefully before the weekend I'll have a proper fire going! Thanks for the advice chaps.

b2

More importantly take *his* advice. My Grandparents' house had open fires, and if you lit a fire in the living room, the bedroom would fill with smoke because of the crap condition of the chimney. Don't risk it if he says it's in any way dodgy!

[Trevelyan]

From when I ripped out my gas fire and installed a multifuel stove I seem to remember that you only need to install an airbrick if the stove is over 5kW. The ventilation requirements did seem a bit pointless in my house though as I could run a wind turbine in my lounge on a breezy day.

[dr_gn]

Trevelyan said:

From when I ripped out my gas fire and installed a multifuel stove I seem to remember that you only need to install an airbrick if the stove is over 5kW. The ventilation requirements did seem a bit pointless in my house though as I could run a wind turbine in my lounge on a breezy day.

For a new-build you *definitely* need at least one air brick for an open fire. I assume for an old house you don't, but if it has modern draughtproofing and double glazing it would be worth looking into it.

[Wacky Racer]

Here you go:-(Turn volume up)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMjh1DhIhBM&fea...