Building Regulations Update. 

All stove installations are to be fitted in accordance to "The Building Regulations 2000 Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage System Document J".

As from 1st October 2010 ALL installations MUST conform to the new regulations:

Carbon Monoxide Alarms     

Where a new or replacement fixed solid fuel appliance is installed in a dwelling, a carbon monoxide alarm should be provided in the room where the appliance is located.

            Carbon monoxide alarms should comply with BS EN 50291:2001 and be powered by a battery designed to operate for the working life of the alarm. The alarm should incorporate a warning device to alert users when the working life of the alarm is due to pass. Mains powered BS EN 50291 Type A carbon monoxide alarms with fixed wiring (not plug in types) may be used as alternative applications provided they are fitted with a sensor failure warning device.

The carbon monoxide alarm should be located in the same room as the appliance and where possible to these positions:

a)      On the ceiling at least 300mm from any wall or, if it is located on the wall, as high up as possible (above any doors or windows) but not within 150mm of the ceiling, and:

b)      Between 1mtr and 3mtrs horizontally of the appliance.

 Air Supply to Solid Fuel Stoves

Air Permeability measures the natural leakage of air from an area ie: your house with all its cracks and vents. A new dwelling with an air permeability of ≤ 5.0m3/(h.m2)@50pa needs to be vented at 550mm 2 per Kw of appliance output.

Any dwelling with an air permeability of >5.0m3/(h.m2)@50pa does need to be vented at 550mm2 per kw of heat needed above 5kw....

            Sounds confusing doesn't it ... for a 5kw stove or below its more than likely that you will not need to add vents to the room unless you are a relatively new build as it is unlikely that a dwelling constructed before 2008 will have air permeability less than 5.0m3/m2hr@50pa, unless extensive measures have been taken to improve air tightness. And even if you do, just remember that each kw above 5kw needs 550mm2 of air which equates to a 2.5cm x 2.5cm square hole so for example a 9kw stove requires an extra 2200mm2 of air so a 4.7cm x 4.7cm hole will do.