Shed Wood Burner – Safety Considerations
If you have a garden or log cabin, or any other off grid residence, you might decide to put an electric stove inside. There are a few things to consider prior to doing so.
To cut down on fuel costs and heat loss, it’s vital that your shed or cabin be properly and properly insulated. Insulation also helps to reduce dampness and increase fire safety.
Size
A shed log burner can be used to heat a summerhouse or shed. It is important to select the right stove and make sure that it meets the safety standards. A stove that is too large will not be adequately venting and can also rapidly soot up the flue. On the other side, a stove that is too small will not be able to heat the space enough.
First, you must determine the size of your shed and then decide where to position the stove. Once you’ve determined the location then you’ll need to build a hearth for the woodburner stove to rest on. The hearth must be at minimum 12mm thick and constructed from a non-combustible material. The safe distance between a single wall flue pipe and any combustible materials is 3x its diameter, but this can be reduced by using an insulative board for shielding.
Install the stove after having constructed the hearth. You may require an stove pipe, a door, or a damper, depending on what you choose. Install an alarm for carbon monoxide in your cabin or shed, as these are smaller spaces than homes and can quickly fill up with CO gas.
If you’re installing a stove in a shed, wood burning stove then you’ll need to install an air liner to ensure safety and to stop condensation. Flue liners are available at most hardware stores, and they’re typically simple to cut to the proper length. Use tin snips to remove the lid and the bottom of the can. Be sure to bend any sharp corners inside.
Safety
Shed wood burning stoves are effective and cozy, but they must be installed safely. This includes the proper installation and use 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 to minimize the risk of accidents.
It is a good idea to hire a HETAS registered installer to install your stove in your shed. They will ensure that the installation process is completed in compliance to the building regulations. This includes the proper distances away from combustible wall. This can help you avoid the need for an official building control certificate.
You should ensure that you burn dry, well-seasoned wood that has been kiln dried in your stove in your shed. Don’t burn treated off-cuts since they release chemical compounds that can pollute air and contribute to air pollution. It is also important to ensure that you have a correctly size chimney. For most sheds a single wall flue is sufficient, but if your shed is equipped with a double wall stove, you’ll need a larger chimney.
The smoke from a wood burning stove is a risk, especially for mothers who are expecting or newly born, children and the elderly. Smoke from a wood burning stove is a risk for people who suffer from asthma, COPD, heart disease and even dogs and cats.
A fire-proofing screen should be used to protect children and pets from hot embers and sparks, and it is an ideal idea to keep a fire log book and wood burning stove an extinguisher in case in an emergency. You should also avoid using charcoal or gasoline starter fluid close to your shed stove. These substances are highly flammable and could cause an explosion or flare-up if you make an error.
You could be living in a smoke-control zone. This can affect the kind of stove you can put in. You should select an approved log stove approved by DEFRA.
Installation
The addition of a log burner to your summer house or shed is a great idea that will bring you closer to nature in a way that just can’t be achieved with a regular fire in the home. A log burning stove in your garden or shed can also provide a focal point for socialising and family gatherings as well as offering you the chance to enjoy the outdoors without leaving the comfort of your own home.
You’ll also need to consider if you live in a smoke-free zone and if there are any local planning laws that could impact your installation. You should also think about whether you are in a smoke control area and whether there are local planning laws that might affect your installation. You should consult a HETAS-registered installer to help you with planning and installing.
If you decide you’d like to install a wood burner in your shed, the first thing you will have to do is determine the proper size flue pipe your shed is able to accommodate. The manufacturer of your stove will be able to offer you some advice on this. Once you’ve decided on the size of the flue pipe you can begin searching for shed log burners that are suitable for your summer house or shed.
Once you have chosen the ideal stove for your summerhouse or shed, you will need to prepare the installation area. This involves removing all materials that are flammable, and ensuring there is a minimum of 1m between the shed and the front edge of your chimney stack. It is also advisable to ensure that the stove is at least 2m from the closest wall that is combustible and that any combustible materials inside the shed are covered with fire boards or covered with insulation.
You’ll then have to install a hearth, which must be constructed from non-combustible materials and at least 12mm thick. You can make use of any type of stone or concrete for instance, but be careful not using sand, because it could impact the performance of your stove and cause a fault in the chimney. Also, you’ll need two twin wall flue pipes, a class D air vents and a chimney cowl.
Maintenance
Shed wood burners can be safely used provided there is adequate ventilation and a smoke detector installed. If you intend to install a wood burner in your shed, ensure that the electrical installation has been approved by an electrician and any material that is flammable is kept away from the stove.
It is recommended to clean the chimney and glass of your shed log heater on a regular basis. You can use a light splash of vinegar to wash away any marks or smudges that have accumulated on the inside of the stove glass. However, be careful not to get any vinegar inside the burner. You can also apply a mild solution of water on a paper towel to wash the exterior of the glass in the log burner.
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%. The most effective method of determining the moisture content of 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 like curtains and furniture away from the shed. It is recommended to have your chimney cleaned at least once a year.