Check Flue for Log Burner

[rhys9918]

Hi all,

Have installed a flexi liner for a log burner (connects to a stainless twin wall at the top).

Wanted to know whats the best way to check the flue. Ive bought smoke pellets, but Im guessing that without the heat rising, this smoke will not be in a hurry to leave the log burner (and as the air vents are not air tight Im guessing smoke will find its way out through them as well)

Is it the done thing to use smoke pellets or just start with a small fire and check that way.

Hope you can help?

 

[Burnerman]

Natural convection will allow the smoke, from the pellet, to be pulled up the flue in the usual way.....it shouldn't come out of any of the burner vents at any time.
John

 

[rhys9918]

OK, will give the pellets a bash, should I have the vents open?

 

[Burnerman]

Try the vents in all positions when the pellet is burning and you'll see the smoke progressing hopefully as it should.
HETAS people should really be doing this I guess and if the burner is rated at over 5kW it should have an air vent into the room.
John

 

[rhys9918]

Thanks for the tips, and yes idealy HETAS installation would have been perfect, but Im on a budget and a decent DIYer.

I have carbon monoxide alarm at the ready, and will be installing one in all floors including the loft!

 

[XtraRaptor]

Thanks for the tips, and yes idealy HETAS installation would have been perfect, but Im on a budget and a decent DIYer.

I have carbon monoxide alarm at the ready, and will be installing one in all floors including the loft!

Have you cancelled your house insurance?

One way of saving money if you are on a budget.

 

[rhys9918]

Thanks for the suggestion xtraraptor, very helpful.

 

[Richard C]

Thanks for the tips, and yes idealy HETAS installation would have been perfect, but Im on a budget and a decent DIYer.

You can DIY a stove install but you need to understand the Building Regs (which changed in October 2010), submit a Building Notice & pay a fee. Your LABC will inspect &, assuming everything is OK, issue a compliance certificate; the BI may want to witness smoke & spillage tests. No compliance certificate may lead to difficulties when you come to sell your property; if you cannot produce a compliance certificate in the event of a problem, your insurance company may invalidate your policy & reject any claim.

Lots of archive threads on this, & other things you have to watch out for, here a few links for you to read but not all will apply to you:
http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/stove_building_regulations.html
http://www.woodburnerwarehouse.co.uk/building_regualtions_for_stoves.phtml
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADJ_2010.pdf
http://www.hetas.co.uk/public/certificates.html
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/pdfs/buidling_regs_consumer leaflet.pdf
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=183614
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=211524
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=242738
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=224751
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1855590#1855590

& some more sobering reading just in case you think it’s all a load of old tosh:
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/main_pages/news.htm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...wood-burning-stove-leaks-carbon-monoxide.html
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/warning_over_heaters_after_norfolk_couple_s_death_1_811099
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ouple-dead-arms-sofa-overcome-coal-fumes.html

I have carbon monoxide alarm at the ready, and will be installing one in all floors including the loft!

The carbon monoxide alarm must have a sealed for battery life to comply with BR’s, renewable battery type alarms are not acceptable.