Chimneys and BBQs that do not have a building or shed chimney are not covered by Smoke Control legislation, but when using these you should:
Installing a solid fuel burner is not the best environmental option for domestic home heating. It is not recommended next to tall buildings or amongst the highest population density. Consider cleaner home heating options.
It's a legal requirement for solid fuel burners and boilers to be fitted in accordance with Part J of the Building Regulations.
If your installer has been accredited as a competent person no action is needed after the installation is complete. If they're not accredited, or you have fitted it yourself, you'll need to get building regulation approval.
HETAS runs the most widely used competent persons scheme. You can search for HETAS-approved installers on their website. There are also other competent person schemes.
Ideally, when buying a home with a solid fuel appliance you should ask to see evidence that it:
Building regulations are there for your safety. Solid fuel appliances can be dangerous if they're not installed correctly and well maintained.
Badly fitted appliances:
If your chimney has not been used for some time it's essential to have it inspected and swept before using solid fuels. Defective chimneys can leak smoke and dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide into your home.
Solid fuel appliances may appear simple, but they require regular maintenance to stay safe, clean and efficient.
You should ensure:
Your installer will be able to provide an appropriate maintenance schedule.
If other people are occupying your home, for example, if you rent out the property or have a carer, you must provide guidance on using and maintaining your solid fuel appliance.
It's essential to keep your chimney clean by sweeping it at least once a year. You can find a chimney sweep using:
While all solid fuel burning produces some smoke, it's essential to ensure the fuel choice reduces this risk.
Poor quality fuels may:
The most common wood fuel is seasoned or kiln-dried logs, although the various types of wood available burn in different ways. Fuel suppliers can provide ready-to-burn advice.
You should also be aware that wood needs to be seasoned (dried) before it can be burnt, which can take up to 2 years.
Fuel suppliers have a duty to provide wood that:
Logs should be stored in a well-ventilated stack in a sunny position before being taken indoors.
To help us manage elm disease in the city, don’t buy logs for fuel if the supplier cannot guarantee the wood isn't elm.
Other wood fuels include wood chips and pellets which are commonly used in more complex appliances such as wood fuel boilers.
Before burning, solid fuels should be kept dry by keeping them indoors or under a secure cover. They are a fire risk if stored next to a hot stove.
Wet fuels including recently felled timber burn inefficiently and can create smoke.
There are many sources of discarded wood, for example:
In the past, waste wood used to decompose in a landfill and produce methane. Local authorities no longer landfill waste. Not all wood is suitable for burning at low temperatures you should take great care before using it as a fuel.
Wood needs to be left to dry (seasoned) before it can be burnt. Burning wet, freshly felled or rotten wood can produce large amounts of smoke.
Wood can be coated with preservatives such as varnish, creosote or lead paint. If burned, toxic fumes including metals and organics can be released into the air. Solid fuel burning such as logs releases carbon dioxide into the air within a few hours.
It takes decades for growing trees to reabsorb this carbon. Ready-to-burn log supplies usually need to be kiln-dried and transported by truck. Wood burning in an urban area (remote from a farm or forest) is not carbon neutral.