S
Sombrero
all the trend of late, but what are the rules... as a user, what can you burn or not? painted timber? daily rubbish? and as a neighbour? what can you complain about? smoke smelliing washing?
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Big question. I think the answer should begin with the question, 'Where do you live?' If you are in a smokeless zone, you are limited to burning at least fully seasoned wood and preferably kiln-dried wood. These are acceptable to the authorities, as are other fuels that are specified as being smokeless such as smokeless coal. Having said that, I understand that it is OK to burn paper or cardboard in order to get the fire going (we do, anyway!).
The other thing is to try to avoid things that give off a lot of tar as these will end up leaving deposits in your chimney or flue liner that can result in chimney fires, especially if the chimney isn't swept regularly. It's a good idea to have this done at least once a year even if you only burn the 'good stuff'.
I certainly wouldn't burn painted wood or most rubbish.
As for neighbours complaining, if you stick to kiln-dried wood, for example, they'd have no grounds for complaint and probably wouldn't even notice. You can sometimes smell the wood outdoors but it is not going to dirty their washing and probably wouldn't even be seen, especially at night (!), so they wouldn't know who to complain about anyway!
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This from my local council's website:
RE: Smoke Control Areas.
Dear Sir/Madam
As part of Stockport Councils continuing commitment to improve air quality for the residents of Stockport, the Council created Smoke Control Areas.
If you live in a Smoke Control Area, it is an offence to burn unauthorised fuels on an open fireplace, stove or similar appliance. Special fuels such as ‘smokeless coal’ have now been developed to burn on these appliances.
Wood or coal is classed as ‘unauthorised fuel’ and cannot ordinarily be burnt unless you own an ‘exempt appliance’.
Exempt appliances are appliances (ovens, wood burners and stoves) which have been exempted by Statutory Instruments (Orders) under the Clean Air Act 1993. These have passed tests to confirm that they are capable of burning an unauthorised or inherently smoky solid fuel without emitting harmful smoke. A list of exempt appliances and authorised fuels is available at www.uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk
You are allowed to use kindling, such as paper or twigs, to start the fire; however we would recommend that you use this sparingly or use firelighters so that the amount of smoke is kept to a minimum.
Householders living in a Smoke Control Area could be fined up to £1000 for each offence of burning unauthorised fuel, such as wood or coal on an appliance that is not exempt under the above legislation.
Smoke, which may not be dark, can also cause a nuisance to your neighbours and is an offence under the Environment Protection Act 1990. A notice can be served and you may also be fined if further instances occur.
If you are not sure whether you live in a smoke control area, you should contact the Environmental Health Department on 0161 474 4284 or you can look on line at www.stockport.gov.uk/environment
Here is the direct link to the exempt appliances pages for England: it also lists the type of fuel approved for use with the appliances:
http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/appliances.php?country=e
RE: Smoke Control Areas.
Dear Sir/Madam
As part of Stockport Councils continuing commitment to improve air quality for the residents of Stockport, the Council created Smoke Control Areas.
If you live in a Smoke Control Area, it is an offence to burn unauthorised fuels on an open fireplace, stove or similar appliance. Special fuels such as ‘smokeless coal’ have now been developed to burn on these appliances.
Wood or coal is classed as ‘unauthorised fuel’ and cannot ordinarily be burnt unless you own an ‘exempt appliance’.
Exempt appliances are appliances (ovens, wood burners and stoves) which have been exempted by Statutory Instruments (Orders) under the Clean Air Act 1993. These have passed tests to confirm that they are capable of burning an unauthorised or inherently smoky solid fuel without emitting harmful smoke. A list of exempt appliances and authorised fuels is available at www.uksmokecontrolareas.co.uk
You are allowed to use kindling, such as paper or twigs, to start the fire; however we would recommend that you use this sparingly or use firelighters so that the amount of smoke is kept to a minimum.
Householders living in a Smoke Control Area could be fined up to £1000 for each offence of burning unauthorised fuel, such as wood or coal on an appliance that is not exempt under the above legislation.
Smoke, which may not be dark, can also cause a nuisance to your neighbours and is an offence under the Environment Protection Act 1990. A notice can be served and you may also be fined if further instances occur.
If you are not sure whether you live in a smoke control area, you should contact the Environmental Health Department on 0161 474 4284 or you can look on line at www.stockport.gov.uk/environment
Here is the direct link to the exempt appliances pages for England: it also lists the type of fuel approved for use with the appliances:
http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/appliances.php?country=e
S
Sombrero
very interesting... thanks. And JBR i'm on the receiving end, not a burner, so interesting comments. And SSpark, thanks, i'll contact the council methinks...
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There are nuisance laws, rather complicated to follow, but if the smoke causes a nuisance, regardless as to whether approved fuel is used, you can be told to stop and get into trouble if you don't.
It's very unlikely to happen, as the neighbour would have to prove a nuisance (say smoke coming into your house or grounds), and that involves all kinds of faffing about with trying to prove it.
I'm very much against wood burners of any type in urban settings, living in a valley it doesn't matter how "clean" the fuel is, it still causes a layer of smoke to collect in certain weather conditions.
Ah, so you're in Stockport too! Thanks for the pointer about the web site.
I've got a big one 
24KW that does my hot water and heating and i burn pretty much anything.
On my travels i pick up pallets and always stop at skips to pull out any timber.Last march i got lucky and had the pick of a huge shop/store roof that was being replaced including 10x6 purlins and this has lasted me right through the winter.I live in a rural area with no gas and i don't bother other people as most also burn solid fuel.
You can't beat it on a cold winter night.
24KW that does my hot water and heating and i burn pretty much anything.
On my travels i pick up pallets and always stop at skips to pull out any timber.Last march i got lucky and had the pick of a huge shop/store roof that was being replaced including 10x6 purlins and this has lasted me right through the winter.I live in a rural area with no gas and i don't bother other people as most also burn solid fuel.
You can't beat it on a cold winter night.
There are also a number of stoves that are approved by DEFRA to be used in smokeless zones, these pass approval because they are so efficient and produce next to no smoke - I have such a stove although I don't actually live in a smokeless zone.
These threads may also be of interest to you
http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=9907
Longer but has some good bits
http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/forum114/comments.php?DiscussionID=9305
S
Sombrero
Thanks all, appreciated.
We recently finished an extension whereby the guy had a w.b.
The smell and the smoke were quite prevalent as we arrived for work in the mornings, as he was just firing up the w.b.
Sometimes it was enough to leave your clothes smelling a bit.
We also picked a job up six door up the street. I was measuring it up and i could smell the smell - you know burning wood. "Yeah" the guy said, "that's yer mates burner up the road!"
I think some people do view a w.b. as a nuisance. different i suppose if everyone had one.
The smell and the smoke were quite prevalent as we arrived for work in the mornings, as he was just firing up the w.b.
Sometimes it was enough to leave your clothes smelling a bit.
We also picked a job up six door up the street. I was measuring it up and i could smell the smell - you know burning wood. "Yeah" the guy said, "that's yer mates burner up the road!"
I think some people do view a w.b. as a nuisance. different i suppose if everyone had one.
I can't understand the whingers. I love the smell of burning wood.
OK, I could understand if there was thick smoke that could discolour things like washing hanging out to dry, but a slight smell isn't going to harm anyone or anything.
Perhaps that's why, when local government rules are adhered to, it is perfectly alright to do it.
Do the same people who object to wood burners also object to cars and other vehicles, I wonder.
OK, I could understand if there was thick smoke that could discolour things like washing hanging out to dry, but a slight smell isn't going to harm anyone or anything.
Perhaps that's why, when local government rules are adhered to, it is perfectly alright to do it.
Do the same people who object to wood burners also object to cars and other vehicles, I wonder.
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