Shed Wood Burner - Safety Considerations
If you have a shed or log cabin, or any other off grid home you may want to install a stove in it. However, there are several factors to be considered before deciding to do this.
It's important to make sure your shed or cabin is properly insulated in order to limit heat loss and save on fuel costs. Insulation can also help reduce dampness and improve the safety of fire.
Size
A shed log burner is a great method to provide warmth to a shed or summer house. However, it is important to choose the right stove for your space and make sure that it meets all of the required safety standards. A stove that is too large isn't capable of properly venting and can also rapidly soot up the flue. A stove that is too large will not be able heat the room effectively.
First, you need to determine the size of your shed, and then determine the best location for the stove. Once you have decided the place where the stove should be placed, you will require a hearth to support it. The hearth must be at least 12mm thick and made of a non-combustible material. The safe distance between a single-wall flue pipe and any combustible material is 3x the diameter of the pipe however, this distance can be reduced by using an insulative board for shielding.
Install the stove after you have created the hearth. Based on the type of stove you want to install, you may need to buy the stove door, a stovepipe, or a damper. You'll also have to install carbon monoxide detectors in your shed or cabin in these places, since they are smaller than homes and can be filled with CO gas that is dangerous very quickly.
If you're installing a stove inside a shed, then you'll need to install a flue liner for safety and to stop condensation. You can find flue liners in a variety of hardware stores, and they're typically simple to cut to the right length. Utilize tin snips to cut off the lid and the bottom of the can. Be sure to bend any sharp corners within.
Safety
Shed wood burners can be very comfortable and efficient, however you must consider the safety aspects of the installation. This includes the correct installation and usage of the stove, as well as a carbon monoxide alarm and fire extinguisher. It is also important to keep pets and children away from the stove in order to reduce the risk of accidents.
Installing your shed stove with a HETAS-registered installer is a good idea. They will be able to make sure that the installation is carried out in line to current building regulations, including the necessary distances from walls that are combustible. This can help you avoid the requirement for an official building control certificate.
Only burn wood that has been kiln dried and well-seasoned in your stove in your shed. Do not burn treated off-cuts since they will produce chemicals that pollute the air and contribute to air pollution. Also, ensure that you have a properly size chimney. A single wall flue is suitable for the majority of sheds, however if you want to use a double wall stove in your shed, this will require a bigger chimney.
Smoke from a wood-burning stove can be dangerous, particularly for pregnant women, children, and the elderly. It can also be dangerous for people suffering from asthma, COPD or heart diseases, and it can affect cats and dogs too.
A fire-proofing screen should be used to protect children and pets from sparks and hot embers and it's a good idea to keep a log book of fires and an extinguisher in case in the event of an emergency. Also, avoid using gasoline or charcoal starter fluid near your shed stove. These substances are extremely flammable and could cause an explosion or flare-up if you make mistakes.
You could be living in a smoke-control area. This will impact the type of stove you can install. You'll need to select the type of stove that is part of the DEFRA (External link) approved list of appliances.
Installation
A log burner in your summer house or shed is a fantastic idea and can bring you closer to nature in a way that cannot be done with a standard fire in the home. A log burner in your garden or shed can be a fantastic location for family gatherings and socialising. It also allows you to enjoy the great outdoors in the at-home comforts of your home.
When you are installing an outdoor wood burner it is important to consider the size of your summerhouse or shed and the output you require from the stove in order to heat it properly. You should also be aware of whether you are located in a zone of smoke control and whether there are local laws governing planning that could affect your installation. It is recommended to consult a registered HETAS installer to help you with planning and installation.
If you decide that you'd like to install a wood burner in your shed the first thing you will have to do is find out what size 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 need, you can start to look for shed log burners that will work for your summer home.
Once you have chosen the right stove for the summerhouse or shed you have to prepare the installation area. This will involve clearing away any flammable materials and ensuring that there is a minimum distance of 1m from the shed to the front edge of the chimney stack. It is also important to ensure that the stove is placed at least 2m from the nearest walls that are combustible and that any combustible material in the shed is covered with fire board or covered with insulation.
You will then need to fit a hearth, that should be constructed of non-combustible material and be at least 12mm thick. You can use any kind of concrete or stone for instance, however, it is important not to use sand since this could affect the stove's performance and cause a chimney problem. Also, you'll need a pair of twin wall flue pipes, class D airvent, and chimney cowl.
Maintenance
Shed wood burners are safe to use when there is sufficient ventilation and a smoke detector is installed. If you plan to install a wood stove in your shed, ensure that the electrical installation has been approved by an electrician and any flammable material is kept away from the stove.
It is crucial to clean regularly the flue and glass of your shed log burner. You can apply a light squirt of vinegar to remove any marks or smudges from the inside of the stove glass. However, be small wood burning stove not to spill any vinegar inside the burner. You can also apply a mild solution of water on paper towel to clean the exterior of the log burner glass.
Be aware that shed log burners are designed to be used with dry seasoned firewood. The moisture content of the wood should be less than 20%. Utilize a wood moisture gauge to determine the moisture content of your logs. Keep your wood in a place that is well ventilated. Keep combustibles such as curtains and furniture away from the shed. It is recommended to have your chimney cleaned at least yearly.