Shed Wood Burner - Safety Considerations
If you have a garden, log cabin or other off grid dwelling, you might be interested in installing a stove in it. There are a few things to consider before deciding to do this.
It's crucial to ensure your cabin or shed is properly insulated to minimize the loss of heat and save fuel costs. Insulation can help reduce dampness and increase the safety of fire.
Size
A shed log burner can be used to heat a summerhouse or shed. However, it is important to choose the right stove for your home and ensure that it complies with all the safety requirements. A stove that is too big won't be able to properly vent and can also rapidly soot up the flue. A stove that is too large will not be able to heat the room effectively.
The first step is to determine the size of your shed, and then decide where to position the stove. Once you have decided the place where the stove should be placed, you will need to build a hearth to support it. The hearth should be at least 12mm in thickness and constructed of a non-combustible material. The safe distance between a single wall flue pipe and any other combustible materials is 3x the diameter of the pipe however, this distance can be reduced by using an insulative panel as shielding.
Once you've created the hearth, then put in the stove. Based on the type of stove you want to install you may have to purchase the stove door, stovepipe, or a damper. You'll also need to install carbon monoxide detectors in your shed or cabin because these areas are smaller than homes and can fill up with dangerous CO gas quickly.
Installing a stove inside a shed will require installing a chimney liner to protect your family from the risk of condensation and ensure that it doesn't happen. Liner flues are available at most hardware shops and can be cut to the right length. Just be sure to make use of tin snips, or a can opener to open the lid and bottom of the can, and be sure to bend sharp edges within.
Safety
Shed wood burning stoves are efficient and comfortable, but they must be installed in a safe manner. This includes making sure you are using the correct installation and use of the stove, as well as a carbon monoxide detector as well as a fire extinguisher. To minimize the chance of an accident it is essential to keep children and pets away from the stove.
It is recommended to hire an HETAS registered installer to set up your shed stove. They can make sure that the installation is completed in accordance the current building regulations, which include relevant distances from combustible walls. This can help you avoid the requirement for a formal building control certificate.
You should ensure that you only burn well-seasoned, kiln-dried wood in your shed stove. Do not burn treated off-cuts as they produce chemicals that can pollute the air and contribute to air pollution. You will also need to ensure that you have a correctly constructed chimney. A single wall flue is suitable for most sheds, however if you are planning to install a double wall stove in your shed, it will require a larger chimney.
The smoke from wood-burning stoves can be hazardous, particularly for mothers who are expecting or newly born as well as children and the elderly. It can also be dangerous for those suffering from asthma, COPD or heart diseases and can also affect pets and dogs as well.
It is essential to install a fire guard screen to safeguard pets and children from sparks and hot coals. A fire log book should also be kept nearby in the event of an emergency. Also, ensure that you don't employ charcoal starter fluid near your shed stove since they are highly flammable substances and could explode or flare-up in the event of an accident.
Depending on the location that you reside in, you could be in a smoke-control area, which will affect the type of stove you can put in. You will need to choose a log burner that is on the DEFRA (External link) approved appliance list.
Installation
Having a log burner in your shed or summer house is a great idea and can really bring you closer to nature in a way that can't be achieved with a regular fireplace in your home. A log-burning stove in your shed or garden can also serve as an ideal location for socializing and family gatherings as well as giving you the opportunity to take in the beautiful outdoors without leaving the comforts of your own home.
It is also important to determine if you live in a zone of smoke control and if there are local planning laws that might impact your installation. You'll also need to consider whether you reside in a zone of smoke control and if there are local regulations on planning that could affect the installation. You should seek out a HETAS-registered installer to assist you in the planning and installation.
If you decide that you'd like to install a wood burner in your shed, the first thing you'll have to do is find out what size flue pipe your shed will accommodate. The supplier of your stove should be able to give you some tips on this. Once you have determined the size of the flue pipe, you can begin searching for shed log burners that are suitable for your summer house or shed.
Once you have chosen the ideal stove for your summerhouse or shed it is important to prepare the area for its installation. This will involve clearing away any flammable materials and ensuring that there is a minimum distance of 1m from the shed to the front edge of the chimney stack. It is also important to ensure that the stove is placed at least 2m away from the closest combustible walls and that all combustible material within the shed is covered by fire board or insulated.
The hearth should be made of non-combustible material and at least 12mm thick. You can use any kind of concrete or stone for instance, however, it is important not to use sand as this could affect the performance of the stove and cause a chimney fault. Also, you'll need twin wall flue pipes, class D air vents and a chimney cowl.
Maintenance
Shed wood burners are generally safe to use, provided that they have adequate ventilation and a smoke alarm installed. If you're thinking of installing wood stoves in your shed, be sure that the electrical installation has been signed off by a licensed electrician. Also, make sure that any flammable materials are kept away from the stove.
Clean the glass and chimney of your shed log heater on a regular basis. You can use a light spray of vinegar to get rid of any smudges or marks from the inside of the stove glass. However, be careful not to get any vinegar inside the burner. stoves log burners can also use a mild solution of washing liquid on a paper towel to wash the outside of the glass in the log burner.
Be aware that shed log heaters are made to work with dry-seasoned firewood. The moisture content of the wood should be less than 20%. Utilize a wood moisture meter to determine the moisture content of your logs. Keep your wood in a well ventilated shed, and be sure to keep any flammable items such as furniture and curtains from the shed. It is recommended also to have the chimney cleaned at least once a year.