Shed Wood Burner - Safety Considerations

Installing a stove into a shed, a log cabin or another off grid residence is a great idea. However, there are several considerations to be made before deciding to do this.

It is essential to ensure that your cabin or shed is properly insulated to reduce the loss of heat and save fuel costs. Insulation can help reduce dampness and increase fire safety.

Size

A shed log burner is the perfect way to add heat to a shed or summer house. It is crucial to choose the correct stove and make sure that it meets the safety standards. A stove that is too big will not be capable of properly venting and will also quickly soot up the flue. A stove that is too big will not be able to heat the room adequately.

The first step is to determine the size of your shed and then determine the best location for the stove. Once you've determined the location, you'll need to create an open hearth for the stove to rest on. The hearth needs to be at least 12mm thick, and constructed of a non-combustible substance. The distance between a single wall flue pipe and non-combustible materials is 3 times the diameter of the pipe. However, this distance could be reduced by using an insulative panel to shield.

After you've built the hearth, Shed Wood Burner then install the stove. Based on the type of stove you want to install you might need to purchase a stove door, a stovepipe or a damper. Install a carbon monoxide alarm in your cabin or shed because they are smaller than homes and can quickly fill up with CO gas.

If you're installing a stove inside the shed, you'll need to install a flue liner for safety and to stop condensation. You can find flue liners at most hardware stores, and they're typically simple to cut to the right length. Be sure to use tin snips or a can opener to open the lid and bottom of the can, and make sure to bend sharp edges inside.

Safety

Shed wood burner stoves burners are comfortable and efficient, however you should take into consideration the safety aspects of the installation. This includes the proper installation and usage of the stove as well as an alarm for carbon monoxide and a fire extinguisher. It is also important to keep pets and children away from the stove in order to reduce the chance of accidents.

Installing your shed stove by an HETAS registered installer is a great idea. They will ensure that the installation is carried out in accordance to building regulations. This includes relevant distances from walls that are combustible. This can help you avoid the requirement for a formal building control certificate.

You must ensure that you burn well-seasoned, kiln-dried modern wood burner in your stove in your shed. Do not try to burn treated off-cuts, since this could result in chemical emissions in the flue gas that could pollute the air and lower the quality of the air. It is also important to ensure that you have a correctly sized chimney. In most sheds, a single wall flue is enough however if your shed is fitted with a double wall stove, you'll need a larger chimney.

The smoke of wood-burning stoves can be dangerous, especially for pregnant or new mothers children, elderly people and even the young. Smoke from a stove that burns wood can be dangerous for those with asthma, shed wood burner COPD, heart disease and even cats and dogs.

A fire guard screen should be used to protect pets and children from hot embers and sparks It is recommended to keep a fire log book and extinguisher on hand in the event of an emergency. Also, ensure that you never employ charcoal starter fluid near your stove in the shed since they are highly flammable materials and can explode or ignite in the case of an accident.

You may live in a smoke-control zone. This will affect the type of stove that you can put in. You must select the type of stove that is part of the DEFRA (External link) approved appliance list.

Installation

The addition of a log burner to your summer house or shed is a fantastic idea and can bring you closer to nature in a way that just can't be achieved with a regular fireplace in your home. A log burner in your garden or shed can be a fantastic focal point for family gatherings and socialising. It also allows you to take in the beautiful outdoors in the at-home comforts of your home.

When installing a shed wood burner it is important to consider the size of your summerhouse or shed and the output that you need from the stove in order to heat it properly. You'll also need to consider if you reside in a zone of smoke control and if there are local regulations on planning that might affect the installation. Ideally, you should consult with an HETAS registered installer to assist you plan and installation.

If you decide that you'd like to install a shed wood burner, the first thing you'll need to do is find out what size flue pipe your shed will accommodate. This is usually easy enough and the supplier of your stove will be able to guide you on this. Once you've decided on the size of the flue pipe, you can begin to search for shed log burners suitable for your summer house or shed.

After you have selected the right stove for your summerhouse or shed it is important to prepare the area for its installation. This includes removing any materials that could ignite and ensuring that there is at least 1m from the shed to the front edge of the chimney stack. It is also recommended to ensure that the stove is positioned at least 2m away from the closest combustible wall and that any combustible items inside the shed are covered with fire boards or lined with insulation.

The hearth should be constructed of non-combustible material and at least 12mm thick. You can make use of any type of concrete or stone for instance, but it is important not to use sand since this could compromise the stove's performance and cause a chimney fault. You'll also require a pair of twin wall flue pipes, class D airvent and chimney cowl.

Maintenance

Shed wood burners are generally safe to use, provided that they have adequate ventilation and a smoke alarm installed. If you intend to install a wood burner in your shed, ensure that the electrical installation is signed off by an electrician and that any flammable material is kept away from the stove.

It is recommended to clean the glass and chimney of your shed log heater on a regular basis. You can apply a light splash of vinegar to wash away any marks or smudges that have accumulated on the inside of the stove glass. But be careful not to get any vinegar inside the burner. You can also clean the exterior of the glass log burner with an easy solution consisting of water and paper towels.

Keep in mind that shed log burners are designed to be used with dry seasoned firewood. The logs' moisture content should be less than 20%. The most effective method of determining the level of moisture in your logs is to use a wood moisture meter. Keep your wood in a well ventilated shed, and make sure to keep any flammable items such as furniture and curtains from the shed. It is also an excellent idea to have the chimney swept at minimum once a year.