Shed Wood Burner - Safety Considerations

The installation of a stove into an outdoor shed, log cabin, or a different off grid residence is a great idea. There are a few aspects to think about before doing so.

To cut down on fuel costs and heat loss, it's essential that your cabin or shed be properly and properly insulated. Insulation also reduces dampness and improve the safety of fire.

Size

A shed log burner can be used to heat a summerhouse or shed. It is important to select the correct stove and make sure it meets all safety standards. A stove that is too large will not be able to vent properly and will also quickly make the flue smear. A stove that is too big isn't able to heat the room sufficiently.

First, you need to determine the size of your shed, and then decide on the best place to put the stove. Once you've decided on the location you'll need to construct an area for the stove to rest on. The hearth should be at least 12mm thick, and constructed of a non-combustible substance. The distance between the single wall flue pipe and the combustible material is 3x diameter of the pipe. However, this distance can be reduced if you use an insulative panel as shielding.

After you've built the hearth, you are able to then install the stove. Based on the type of stove you want to install you may have to buy a stove door, a stovepipe or damper. Install an alarm for carbon monoxide in your shed or cabin because they are smaller spaces than homes and can quickly fill with CO gas.

Installing a stove in a shed will require installing an chimney liner to ensure safety and prevent condensation. Flue liners are available in a variety of hardware stores and can be easily cut to the proper length. Just be sure to make use of tin snips or a can opener to open the lid and bottom of the can, and be sure to bend any sharp edges within.

Safety

Shed wood burners can be extremely comfortable and efficient, however you must consider the safety aspects of the installation. This includes ensuring the correct installation and use of the stove, as well as a carbon monoxide detector, and a fire extinguishers. It is also essential to keep pets and children away from the stove to reduce the risk of accidents.

It is recommended to use an HETAS registered installer to set up your stove in your shed. They can make sure that the installation is carried out in accordance to the building regulations. This includes the proper distances from a wall that is combustible. This can eliminate the requirement for an official building control certificate, which could save you money and time in the long run.

You will need to ensure that you are burning dry, well-seasoned wood that has been kiln dried in your stove for your shed. Do not burn treated off-cuts as they will produce chemicals that can pollute the air and contribute to air pollution. Also, ensure that you have a correctly constructed chimney. In most sheds, a single wall flue will suffice, but if your shed will be using a double wall stove, you will require a larger chimney.

The smoke from a wood-burning stove can be hazardous, especially to pregnant women, children and those who are elderly. Smoke from a stove that burns wood could be harmful to those suffering from asthma, COPD, heart disease as well as pets and dogs.

It is essential to install an alarm screen to shield children and pets from hot coals and sparks. A fire log book is also recommended to keep close in the event of an emergency. You will also need to ensure that you don't make use of charcoal starter or gasoline fluid near the stove in your shed since they are highly flammable materials and could explode or flare-up in the case of an accident.

You might live in a smoke-control area. This will affect the type of stove you can put in. You must select the type of stove that is on the DEFRA (External link) approved appliance list.

Installation

A log burner in your summer house or shed is a great idea and will bring you closer to nature in a way that just can't be achieved with a regular fire in the home. A log burner in your shed or garden can be a great place to gather with family and socializing. It also lets you to enjoy the great outdoors in the comfortable confines of your home.

You'll also have to consider whether you are in a smoke-free zone and if there's any local planning laws that could impact your installation. You will also need to think about whether you are in a zone of smoke control and if there are any local laws governing planning that could affect the installation. It is recommended to consult a registered HETAS installer to assist you with planning and installation.

You will need to determine the size of the flue pipe that your shed can handle before you can install the wood stove for your shed. It's usually a simple task and the supplier of your stove can help you on this. Once you know what size flue pipe you'll require then you can begin to look at log burners for your shed that will work for your summer or shed home.

Once you have decided on the ideal stove for your summerhouse or shed you have to prepare the area for installation. This includes removing any materials that are flammable and making sure that there is an adequate distance of 1m from the shed to the front edge of the chimney stack. It is also crucial to ensure that the stove is at least 2m from the nearest walls that are combustible and that any combustible material inside the shed is covered by fire board or insulated.

You will then need to fit a hearth, which must be constructed from non-combustible material and be at minimum 12mm thick. You can choose any kind of concrete or stone for instance, large but be sure not to use sand since it can affect the performance of your stove and cause a fault in the chimney. You'll also require a pair of twin wall flue pipe, class D airvent, and chimney cowl.

Maintenance

Shed wood burners are generally safe to use provided that they have adequate ventilation and a smoke alarm is installed. If you are planning on installing wood stoves in your shed, be sure that the electrical installation has been signed off by a licensed electrician. Also, ensure that any flammable materials are kept away from the stove.

It is essential to clean the glass and flue of your stove's log burner in the shed. You can use a gentle splash of vinegar to wash away any marks or smudges from the inside of the stove glass. However, make sure you don't get any vinegar inside the burner. You can also wash the outside of the glass log burner using an easy solution consisting of paper towel and washing liquid.

Keep in mind that shed log heaters are designed to use dry seasoned firewood. The moisture content of the wood burning stoves for sheds should be less than 20 percent. Utilize a wood moisture gauge to determine the moisture content of your logs. Keep your wood in an area that is well ventilated. Keep flammable items such as curtains and furniture out of the shed. It's also recommended to have the chimney swept at minimum once per year.