Shed Wood Burner - Safety Considerations
If you have a garden or log cabin, or an off grid residence, you might be interested in installing an oven in it. There are a few aspects to consider prior to doing so.
To reduce fuel costs and heat loss, it's vital that your cabin or shed be properly insulated. Insulation can also reduce dampness and increase fire safety.
Size
A shed log burner can be used to heat a shed or summerhouse. It is important to select the right stove and be sure it meets all safety standards. A stove that is too large will not be able to vent properly and will also quickly make the flue smear. A stove that is too large will not be able heat the room adequately.
First, you must determine the size of your shed and then decide where to position the stove. Once you've determined the location you'll need to construct an area for the stove to rest on. The hearth should be at least 12mm in thickness and made of a non-combustible substance. The safe distance between a single-wall flue pipe and any combustible material is 3x its diameter however this distance can be reduced by using an insulative panel as shielding.
Install the stove after you have built the hearth. You may need a stove pipe, a door, or a damper, depending on the type of stove you want to install. Install an alarm for carbon monoxide in your shed or cabin because they are smaller than homes and are able to quickly fill with CO gas.
If you're installing a stove inside an outdoor space, then you'll require an air liner to ensure safety and to prevent condensation. Liner flues are available at a wide range of hardware stores and are easily cut to the proper length. Just be sure to 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 efficient and cosy, but you should take into consideration the safety aspects of the installation. This includes ensuring that you have the proper installation and use of the stove, a carbon monoxide detector as well as a fire extinguishers. It is also essential to keep children and pets away from the stove in order to reduce the chance of accidents.
It is recommended to hire an HETAS certified installer to install your stove in your shed. They can ensure that the installation is carried out in line the current building regulations, which include relevant distances from combustible walls. This can save you from the requirement for a formal building control certificate.
You will need to ensure that you burn well-seasoned, kiln-dried wood in your shed stove. Don't burn treated off-cuts as they produce chemicals that pollute the air and cause air pollution. It is also important to ensure that you have a properly sized chimney. A single wall flue system is ideal for most sheds, however if you would like to install a double wall stove in your shed, it will require a bigger chimney.
Smoke from a wood-burning stove is dangerous, particularly to pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Smoke from a stove that burns wood could be harmful to those who suffer from asthma, COPD, heart disease as well as cats and dogs.
It is essential to install a fire guard screen to protect children and pets from sparks and hot coals. A book of fire logs should also be kept nearby in the event of an emergency. It is also important to make sure that you do not employ charcoal starter fluid near the stove in your shed since they are highly flammable materials and could explode or cause flare-ups in the case of an accident.
You might live in a smoke-control zone. This will impact the type of stove that you can install. You'll need to select an appliance that is on the DEFRA (External link) approved appliance list.
Installation
Having a log burner in your summer house or shed is a great idea and will bring you closer to nature in a way that can't be achieved with a regular fireplace in your home. Having a log burning stove in your garden or shed can also serve as an ideal place to socialize and gatherings with your family, as well as providing you with the chance to enjoy the outdoors without leaving the comforts of your home.
When installing a wood burner in a shed, you'll need to consider the dimensions of your shed or summerhouse and the output you'll require from the stove to heat it properly. You'll also need to take into account if you reside in a zone of smoke control and if there are local regulations on planning that could affect the installation. In the ideal scenario, you should speak with a HETAS certified installer to assist you with your planning and installation.
If you decide you would like to install a shed wood burner, the first thing you will need to do is to determine the size of flue pipe your shed can accommodate. This is usually easy enough and the company that sells your stove can help you on this. Once you have figured out the size of flue pipe you'll require then you can begin to look at log burners for your shed that are suitable for your shed or summer house.
Once you have chosen the ideal stove for your shed or summerhouse, you will need to prepare the area for installation. This will involve removing all 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 positioned at least 2m from the closest wall that is combustible and that any combustible material within the shed are covered with fire boards or insulated.
The hearth must be constructed of non-combustible material and at least 12mm in thickness. You can make use of any type of concrete or stone, for instance, but you must be cautious not to use sand since it can affect the performance of your stove and result in an issue with the chimney. You'll also require a pair of twin wall flue pipes, a 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 are planning to install a wood burner in your shed, make sure that the electrical installation has been approved by an electrician and that any flammable material is kept away from the stove.
It is recommended to clean the chimney and glass of your log heater in your shed regularly. Make use of a small amount vinegar to wash the inside of your stove glass. Be cautious not to spill vinegar on the burner. You can also use a mild solution of washing up liquid on paper towel to clean the outside of the log burner glass.
Remember that shed log burners are designed to be used with dry-seasoned firewood. The moisture content of the wood should be less than 20 percent. Utilize a wood moisture meter to determine the moisture content of your logs. Store your wood in an area that is well ventilated. Keep outdoor wood burning stove as curtains and furniture away from the shed. It is also recommended to have the chimney cleaned at least once per year.