Shed Wood Burner - Safety Considerations
If you have a shed or log cabin, or any other off grid home you may decide to put a stove in it. However, there are several factors to be considered prior to doing this.
here are the findings to make sure your cabin or shed is properly insulated to reduce heat loss and reduce fuel costs. Insulation can also help reduce dampness and increase the safety of fire.
Size
A shed log burner can be used to heat a shed or summerhouse. It is essential to choose the correct stove and make sure it meets all safety standards. A stove that is too big won't be able to properly vent and can also rapidly soot up the flue. On the other side, a stove that is too small won't be in a position to heat the room enough.
You will need to first determine the size of the shed, and then decide on the location of the stove. Once you've decided the place where the stove should be positioned, you'll have to construct the hearth that will support it. The hearth should be at minimum 12mm thick and constructed from a non-combustible material. The safe distance between a single-wall flue pipe and any combustible material is 3 times its diameter however this distance can be reduced by using an insulative board as shielding.
Install the stove after having constructed the hearth. You may need an oven pipe, a door, or a damper based on the type of stove you want to install. You'll also need to install a carbon monoxide detector in your shed or cabin, as these spaces are smaller than homes and can be filled with dangerous CO gas quickly.
Installing a stove within a shed will require the installation of a chimney liner to protect your family from the risk of condensation and ensure that it doesn't happen. Flue liners are available at most hardware shops and can be easily cut to the proper length. Make sure you make use of tin snips, or a can opener to remove the lid and the bottom of the can, and be sure to bend any sharp edges within.
Safety
Shed wood burners can be extremely comfortable and efficient, however you should consider the safety aspects of the installation. This includes ensuring the correct installation and use of the stove, a carbon monoxide detector, and a fire extinguisher. To reduce the risk of a mishap, it is important to keep pets and children away from the stove.
Installing your shed stove with an HETAS-registered installer is a great idea. They can make sure that the installation is carried out in compliance with current building regulations, which include relevant distances from walls that are combustible. This can save you from the requirement for an official building control certificate.
You will need to ensure that you burn well-seasoned, kiln-dried wood in your shed stove. Do not burn treated off-cuts because they produce chemical compounds that can pollute air and contribute to air pollution. You will also have to ensure that your chimney is the proper size. For most sheds, a single wall flue will suffice but if the shed is equipped with a double wall stove, you'll require a bigger chimney.
The smoke from a wood-burning stove can be dangerous, particularly to children, pregnant women and the elderly. Smoke from a stove that burns wood can be dangerous for those with asthma, COPD, heart disease and even cats and dogs.
A fire-proof screen is recommended to shield pets and children from hot embers and sparks and it's a good idea to keep a fire log book and extinguisher handy in case in an emergency. You should also be wary of using charcoal or gasoline starter fluid near the stove in your shed. These substances are extremely flammable and could result in an explosion or flare-up should you make mistakes.
You could be living in a smoke-control area. This can affect the kind of stove you can put in. You must select a log burner that is part of the DEFRA (External link) approved appliance list.
Installation
A log burner in your summer home or shed is a great idea. It can bring you closer to the nature than a regular fire in your home. A log burner in your shed or garden can be a fantastic location for family gatherings and socialising. It also lets you to take in the beautiful outdoors in the comfortable confines of your home.
When installing a shed wood burner you'll need to think about the size of your summerhouse or shed and the amount of output you'll require from the stove to properly heat it. Also, you'll need to take into account if you reside in a zone of smoke control and whether there are any local regulations on planning that could affect the installation. In the ideal scenario, you should speak with a HETAS certified installer to assist you plan your installation.
If you decide that you would like to install a shed wood burner, the first thing you'll need to do is to determine the size of flue pipe your shed is able to accommodate. The supplier of your stove is likely to be able give you some tips on this. Once you've determined the size of the flue pipe, you can begin searching for shed log burners suitable for your summer house or shed.
After you have selected the right stove for your shed or summerhouse it is important to prepare the area for its installation. This involves removing any flammable materials and ensuring that there is at least one meter between the shed and the front edge of your chimney stack. It is also advisable to ensure that the stove is placed at least 2m from the closest combustible wall and that any combustible material inside the shed are covered with fire boards or lined with insulation.
You'll then have to install a hearth which should be made from non-combustible materials and be at minimum 12mm thick. You can use any kind of concrete or stone for instance, but you should be cautious not to use sand since it could affect the performance of the stove and cause a chimney problem. You'll also require two twin wall flue pipes, class D air vents and a chimney cowl.
Maintenance
Shed wood burners can be used safely if there is adequate ventilation and a smoke detector is installed. If you intend to install a wood stove in your shed, make sure that the electrical installation has been signed off by an electrician and that any flammable material is kept away from the stove.
It is essential to clean the flue and glass of your stove's log burner in the shed. Make use of a small amount vinegar to clean the inside of the stove glass. Be cautious not to get vinegar inside the burner. You can also apply a mild solution of washing liquid on paper towel to clean the exterior of the glass in the log burner.
Be aware that shed log heaters are designed to use dry seasoned firewood. wood burning stoves of the wood should be less than 20%. Use a wood moisture meter to determine the moisture content of your logs. Keep your wood in an area that is well ventilated. Keep combustibles like furniture and curtains out of the shed. It is also an excellent idea to have the chimney swept at least every year.