Info & Guides
Chimney and Flues
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At Glowing Embers we supply everything you need to get your stove up and running. From complete installation kits to individual flexible flue liner parts, we can supply all the flue pipes and accessories required to complete your system whether it is internal, external or using an existing chimney.
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Why do stoves need and rely on an effective flue installation system?
All stoves that generate smoke and/or unwanted gasses (such as lethal carbon monoxide) need to be able to vent that smoke/gas outside of the property. Failure to install an effective and safe flue installation system can result in smoke and dangerous gasses being leaked into the room. As well as venting, the flue system provides the air flow to allow the stove to burn efficiently and can effectively be seen as the engine that drives the stove. A reliable and effective stove flue system needs to establish what is called a 'Draw' (also known as an Updraft).
How to create an effective draw
To achieve an appropriate level of draw, a minimum recommended length for any flue pipe installation is 4.5 metres from the outlet of the stove to the top of the system. This enables an adequate supply of air to maintain an effective draw as there is a sufficient length of flue pipe to create a difference in air pressure to draw the air up and out through the top of the flue. Keeping the installation as straight and vertical as possible also improves the draw.
Other ways to improve the draw:
- use a minimum of a 6" pipe* (adapters from 5" to 6" are available for stoves with outlets of only 5")
- increase the diameter of the system by 1" further (for example using an adapter to convert from 6" to 7") - this can apply to the enamelled flue pipe, the liner and/or the twin walled pipe
- never reduce the width of the flue pipe within the installation
- never use more than 4 bends in any system
- never use a pipe with a diameter less than the diameter of the outlet on the stove
* An exception to this is where the stove is DEFRA approved - in this case the flue system can be maintained at 5".
Failure to ensure an appropriate draw would a) result in smoke and gasses escaping the stove and entering the room (especially if the room is cold as is often naturally the case), b) reduce the fuel efficiency of the stove, c) increase significantly the generation of soot and d) limit the ability of the stove to reach its highest rated temperature.
Some flue installation systems can be adversely effected by wind travelling over the top of the flue - this is particularly the case in exposed areas and subject to high winds and in this instance, it is recommended to incorporate an Anti-Downdraught chimney cowl or a Roto chimney cowl.
Sufficient ventilation is essential so as to create an appropriate level of air flow coming from outside into the room of the property. Stove ventilation kits (Rytons AirCore Ventilators) can be found in one of our listings.
Installation guides can be found on our website. A more detailed guide for installations can be found at:
www.bfcma.co.uk/siteFiles/resources/docs/BFCMAGeneralGuidance10.12.12.pdfPlease note the information given applies to houses and not boats, caravans or outhouses.
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Building regulations
If you wish to install a flue system, building regulations apply. We always recommend that installations are carried out by a suitably qualified installer.
It is strongly recommended that you make reference to the Building Regulations 2010 - Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems - Document J.
This is quite an exhaustive document and therefore we suggest you focus on the following sections:
- Wood Burning and Multifuel Stoves; refer to Sections 1 & 2, pages 17 to 41
- Gas Stoves; refer to Section 3, pages 43 to 55
- Oil Burning Stoves; refer to Section 4, pages 56 to 61
While this may be a lot of reading, it is worth ensuring that you are complying with these Regulations. Two significant reasons are to i) ensure the safety of all persons in your household and ii) to ensure that if you come to sell the property, any potential buyer may wish to be assured that all Building Regulations have been complied with.
Confirmation of compliance with the Building Regulations can be obtained from a qualified HETAS installer or your local council inspector.
We can make recommendations of qualified HETAS installers (based on positive customer feedback) or alternatively refer to www.hetas.co.uk
Planning permission
Fitting, altering or replacing an external flue or chimney is normally considered to be permitted development, not requiring planning consent, if the conditions outlined below are met:
- Flues on the rear or side elevation of the building are allowed to a maximum of one metre above the highest part of the roof.
- If the building is listed or in a designated area even if you enjoy permitted development rights it is advisable to check with your local planning authority before a flue is fitted.
- In a designated area the flue should not be fitted on the principal or side elevation that fronts a highway.
Please note: the permitted development allowances described here apply to houses not flats, maisonettes or other buildings. It is best to check with your local council for more guidance in relation to these types of buildings.
You are strongly advised to read a technical guidance document produced by the Government to help understand how permitted development rules might apply to your circumstances.
Download Technical Guidance on Permitted Development
This information is extracted from among other sources, the Planning Portal set up by councils, which can be found by following the link below:
www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/commonprojects/flueschimneys/Additional
By law a Chimney Notice Plate must be located in the vicinity of the stove/chimney. A checklist certifying the installation must also be completed in accordance with Building Regulations ADJ Appendix A (this is usually competed by your HETAS approved installer or a local council inspector where the customers carries out their own installation).
Under article J3 of the Building Regulations relating to the installation of wood burning stoves (among other appliances) appropriate provision should be made to detect and give warning of the release of carbon monoxide. Suitable detectors are available on our site.
Click here for the complete document relating to installations.
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Gas and Oil Flexible Liner (single skin)
- Single skin
- Cannot be used with Wood Burning or Multifuel Stoves
- Designation Number EN1856-2 T260 N1 D V3 L50010 G
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Solid Fuel Flexible Liner (double skin)
Type: 316
- Double skin
- Can be used with: Solid Fuels, Oil, Gas
- Approvals: CE
- Lifetime Warranty (Terms & Conditions apply)
- Tested To: EN 1856-2
- Designation No.: 316L T600-P1-D-Vm-L50010-G(xx)
Type: 904
- Double skin
- Can be used with: Solid Fuels, Oil, Gas
- Approvals: CE
- Lifetime Warranty (Terms & Conditions apply)
- Tested To: EN 1856-2
- Designation No.: 904L T600-P1-D-Vm-L70010-G(xx)
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Single Wall Flue Pipe
- Can be use with fuels: Solid Fuels, Oil, Gas
- Resistant to heat up to 1200°C
- Very Hard Wearing
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Twin Wall Flue Pipe
SFL Sflue Brand
- 15 Year Warranty
- Insulation: 25mm Compressed Rockwool
- Temperature Resistance: 450°C
- Approvals: HETAS Approved, CE, BS EN ISO 9001
- Designation: BS EN:1856-1 T450 N1 D Vm L50040 G50
Shieldmaster Brand
- 12 Year Warranty
- Insulation: 25mm Compressed Rockwool
- Temperature Resistance: 450°C
- Approvals: HETAS ANC112, BS 476-20, CE, EN 1856-1:2009
- Designation: T450-N1-D-Vm-L50050-G60
Convesa
- 12 Year Warranty
- Insulation: 30mm Compressed Rockwool
- Temperature Resistance: 600°C
- Approvals: CE, HETAS, EN1856-1
- Designation: T600 N1 D V2 L50040 G6
- T(n) - Temperature the product is rated to (for example T450 would be rated up to 450°C)
- D - Used in non-condensing applications, such as wood burning stoves
- W - Used in condensing applications, such as pellet stoves
- G - Distance to combustible materials (for example G60 is such that the product is tested for a minimum of half an hour where items within 60mm do not catch fire)
Designation Explained
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