CHARLESTOWN
WOODBURNERS & FIRES
FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST
Always use the right fuel for the appliance
Keep all combustibles, including logs, at a safe distance from the hot stove
Make sure any external air ventilation grills are not blocked
Do not slow / slumber burn. Do not ‘turn the stove down for the night
Never leave an open fire unattended without a spark guard
Always use a securely fitted fireguard when children are in the house
Get your stove serviced annually
Contact your insurer about your new stove as it may affect your insurance policy
OPERATING & MAINTAINING
YOUR WOODBURNERS & STOVES
Many solid fuel-fired appliances are expected to work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, keeping us warm and supplied with constant hot water. However, like any other machine, they work better and last longer when correctly installed, burn the right fuel and are properly maintained. This leaflet will guide you through the basics of owning and running a stove, from a general overview, through lighting your stove, burn efficiency, the fuel to use, to maintenance and safety.
Primary Air
Primary air enters the appliance below the grate and the control is often in the ash pit door. This controls the burning rate of the fire. Please see your appliance’s instruction manual for correct operation.
Throat Plate
Soot can fall down the flue and collect on the throat plate. This needs clearing to reduce the risk of these deposits igniting and to ensure there is a clear flue way for smoke to leave the appliance.
Secondary Air
Secondary air enters from above the grate and provides oxygen for the secondary combustion of gases and vapours given off during the primary combustion. This helps combustion efficiency so that smoke emission is minimised.
Fire Brick
Many solid fuel appliances have fire bricks lining the floor and walls. Their purpose is to help insulate the fire bed, improving the stove’s efficiency by retaining heat. Broken fire bricks should be replaced immediately.
Flue Outlet
The flue outlet is generally situated on either the top or the rear of the stove. Combustion gases leave the stove through this outlet to be carried to the chimney through a connecting pipe. The gasses eventually safely leave the dwelling at the top of the chimney. Building Regulations require that all products of combustion are discharged safely to the outside atmosphere.
Ash Pan
Most stoves incorporate a pan to collect ashes as they are produced from burning fuel and fall through the grate, allowing regular easy removal.
Fire Door / Windows
Doors should be tight fitting and may have mechanisms to allow adjustment to achieve a good fit. Many doors will have heat-proof rope seals to aid a gas tight seal. This seal is subject to wear and tear and will need to be replaced when its effectiveness is reduced. Using a stove with its doors open will reduce efficiency, and with some designs may result in overfiring and damage to the appliance. Excess air intake will cool the fire and draw cold air into the house.
Appliance Controls
The main controls on a stove are for regulating the flow of air reaching the fuel, which in turn will affect the heat output and the efficiency of burning. Instruction manuals usually show how to operate the controls to achieve the best combustion and efficiency. You may find a flue pipe temperature gauge helpful to set the controls for your appliance.
Chimney Sweeping
Chimneys should be swept at least twice a year when burning wood or bituminous house coal and at least once a year when burning smokeless fuels. The best times to have your chimney swept are just before the start of the heating season and after any prolonged period of shut-down. If sweeping twice a year, the second time should be after the peak of the main heating season.
RTHINGS TO KNOW WHEN BUYING LOGS
FOR YOUR WOODBURNERS & STOVES
