​When the weather outside is frightful, there is nothing more comforting than curing up beside a fireplace with your family and friends. But owning a fireplace comes with a responsibility. This crackling glow conceals an ash pan of potential problems. Before you get your fire going in your residence, here are a few things you need to know!
Owning a Fireplace in the UK
In some areas of the UK’s capital, there is a smoke restriction, which means that you may not be able to use certain fireplaces or burn certain fuels within particular areas. Read on to find out more about smoke control, fireplace safety tips and how you can still benefit from a fireplace in the capital without disregarding the wood burning stove ban.
Why are Smoke Control Areas Necessary?
The Clean Air Act 1993, allowed councils to establish Smoke Control Areas (SCAs) to improve air quality. An SCA is an area we set where smoke is not allowed to escape from domestic chimneys.
Which are the Smoke Control Areas in London?
Other parts of London are only declaring parts of the local authority as Smoke Control Areas. These include the following:
What if I use unauthorized fuel or emit smoke?
Using unauthorised fuel or emitting smoke from a chimney or a building within these areas is deemed an offence and can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
Can I Burn Wood in a Smoke Control Area?
Burning wood in a smoke control area isn’t completely banned. In fact, DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has compiled a list of appliances that are exempt from the ban and the fuels that can be used with them. In many cases, these fuels are wood logs, however, they must not contain halogenated organic compounds or heavy metals from treatments with wood preservatives or coatings.
Which Fireplaces Can I Have?
These regulations do not mean that you cannot have a real fire in a London residence. There are plenty of Real Flame fireplaces that offer the opportunity to have a real fire but have been approved by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) so they can be used in Smoke Control Areas. There are also a number of outdoor fires you can use, so long as they are DEFRA approved.
10 Must-Read Fireplace Safety Tips
Choosing the right wood: Oak and other hardwoods generally burn long and hot. Softwoods, like pine, will burn fiercely hot but very fast. If softwoods are not properly dried, the water content in their resins can release high amounts of creosote.
Avoid using wet, rotten, diseased, or moldy wood: Use dry and well-aged wood. Wet or green wood causes more smoke and contributes to soot buildup in the chimney. Dried wood burns with less smoke and burns more evenly.
Size of the wood: Smaller pieces of wood placed on a grate burn faster and produce less smoke.
Check the moisture content: Moisture content determines how much creosote will form in your chimney. Use wood that has been seasoned for 12 months and has a moisture content of less than 20%.
Clean out ashes from previous fires: Levels of ash at the base of the fireplace should be kept to 1 inch or less because a thicker layer restricts the air supply to logs, resulting in more smoke.
Don't use chemicals: Fire and chemicals don't mix! Never use gasoline, kerosene, or charcoal starter. Don't burn painted, pressure-treated, or plywood. These can give off a whole slew of toxic chemicals that could enter your living space.
Child Safety: Minimize your child's chance of burns from the hot glass front of some fireplaces, including gas fireplaces. Install safety screens to reduce the risk of burns.
Necessary Installations: Install both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. Also, Keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
Keep your fireplace clean: This allows better airflow and cleaner combustion. Wood burning fireplaces emit 28 lbs of particulate emissions (soot and ash) per MMBtus of heat output.
Only use local firewood: This prevents the spread of tree diseases and insect pests to your neighbourhood.
What else do I need to know?
If you’ve got a stove, make sure it’s serviced annually and remember to get your chimney swept up to twice a year.
Here are some useful resources:
https://www.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-rules
https://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/appliances.php?country=england
https://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/fuels.php?country=england
