Installations in thatch properties

Heating thatch properties with a stove or open fire are a popular choice for many homeowners. With such properties having a combustible roof, expert advice is essential to minimise the risk associated with any installation of solid fuel or wood heating and associated chimney work. There are some key points which homeowners should be aware of when either specifying a new installation or moving into a new property with a solid fuel heating appliance, to ensure the continued safety of both the occupants and the building.

Before purchasing and installing any sort of appliance within a thatched property, homeowners should be aware of the critical safety considerations and initially speak with their insurance provider, and in some cases, a conservation officer to ensure the installation of a solid fuel heating appliance is permitted, particularly when living in a listed property.

A HETAS Registered Installer should be consulted for advice on the best location for the appliance and permitted ways in which to install it to ensure compliance with the Building Regulations and ensure the risk of ignition of combustible roof materials in proximity is negated. This may involve additional constructional works in heightening the existing chimney stack, repairing the inner skin of the chimney so that is in sound condition and/or providing ventilation around a chimney to reduce the risk of ignition. In some rare cases, this may not be fully achievable dependent on the design of the chimney and/or property, and may even result in the installer requiring to walk away from a potential installation if compliance cannot be achieved.

For existing installations, there are some top tips that consumers can apply to ensure continued safety whilst the appliance is under fire, including

• Ensure the chimney is regularly swept by a HETAS Approved Chimney sweep, at least annually when burning mineral fuels and twice a year when burning wood. This is to ensure that the flue remains clear of sooty deposits, debris, and any birds that may be found to be nesting in the chimney
• Ensure installation is serviced on a regular basis, check the integrity of the chimney and ensure the stack is in sound condition
• It is encouraged to ensure the chimney remains open where possible, to enable flue gases to disperse freely and outside of any pressure zones.
• Assessment may determine that a bird guard type cowl is required to avoid nesting within the flue, ensure that the cowl is of an open-type mesh design to again promote good flue draw.

Spark arrestors should be avoided on chimney terminals in thatched structures. This is because they can become clogged (either naturally or through lack of maintenance) restricting the free flow of combustion gases and becoming a fire hazard in themselves.