Shed Wood Burner - Safety Considerations

If you have a garden or log cabin, or an off grid home you may decide to put an electric stove inside. But, there are many considerations to be made before you do this.

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

Size

A shed log burner is an ideal way to add heat to the summer house or shed. It is essential to choose the right stove and be sure it meets all safety standards. A stove that is too large will not be able to properly vent and will also quickly soot up the flue. On the other side, a stove that is too small will not be in a position to heat the room adequately.

You will need to first determine the size of the shed and then choose the location of the stove. Once you've decided on the location then you'll need to build an open hearth for the stove to rest on. The hearth must be at least 12mm thick and wood burning fireplace made from a non-combustible material. The distance between the single wall flue pipe and combustible material is 3x the diameter of the pipe. However, this can be reduced by using an insulative shielding panel.

Once you've created the hearth, then put in the stove. Depending on the stove you choose, you may need to buy an oven door, stovepipe, Wood burning stoves or a damper. You'll also need to install carbon monoxide detectors in your cabin or shed, as these spaces are smaller than homes and can be filled with CO gas that is dangerous very quickly.

Installing a stove inside a shed will require the installation of a chimney liner in order to protect your family from the risk of condensation and ensure that it doesn't happen. Flue liners are available at a wide range of hardware stores and can be 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 sharp edges within.

Safety

Shed wood burning stoves are efficient and cozy, but they should be installed with care. This includes ensuring that you have the proper installation and use of the stove, a carbon monoxide detector, and a fire extinguishers. To minimize the chance of a mishap it is essential to keep children and pets away from the stove.

Installing your stove in a shed by an HETAS registered installer is a good idea. They can ensure that the installation process is completed in compliance with building regulations. This includes relevant distances from a wall that is combustible. This may avoid the need for a building control certificate, which could save your time and money in the long run.

Only burn wood that has been dried kiln and well-seasoned in your stove in your shed. Don't burn treated off-cuts because they produce chemicals that pollute the air and cause air pollution. You will also need to ensure that you have a properly size chimney. A single wall flue system is suitable for most sheds, but if you want to use a double wall stove in your shed, this will require a larger chimney.

The smoke from a wood-burning stove can be dangerous, particularly to pregnant women, children and those who are elderly. It is also dangerous for people suffering from asthma, COPD or heart diseases, and it can affect cats and dogs too.

A fire-proof screen is recommended to protect children and pets from sparks and hot embers It is recommended to keep a log book of fires and extinguisher handy in case in the event of an emergency. You will also need to ensure that you never employ charcoal starter fluid near your stove in the shed, as these are highly flammable materials and could explode or flare-up in the case of an accident.

You might live in a smoke-control region. This will impact the type of stove you can install. You must choose an approved log stove approved by DEFRA.

Installation

Having a log burner in your shed or summer house is a fantastic idea and can really bring you closer to nature in a way that can't be achieved with a regular fire in the home. A log burner in your shed or garden can be a great focal point for family gatherings and socialising. It also allows you to enjoy the great outdoors from the at-home comforts of your home.

You'll also have to consider whether you are in a zone of smoke control and if there's any local planning laws that could impact your installation. You'll also need to take into account if you live in a smoke-control area and if there are any local regulations on planning that could impact the installation. Ideally, you should consult with a HETAS certified installer to assist you plan and installation.

If you decide that you would like to install a wood burner in your shed the first thing you'll need to do is to determine the size of flue pipe your shed will accommodate. This is usually easy enough and the manufacturer of your stove will be able to guide you 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.

After you have decided on the best stove for your shed or summerhouse it is important to prepare the area to install it. This will involve removing any flammable materials, and ensuring there is at least one meter between the shed and the front edge of your chimney stack. It is also essential to make sure that the stove is at least 2m from the closest combustible walls and that any combustible material within the shed is covered with fire board or covered with insulation.

The next step is to fit a hearth, which should be made from non-combustible materials and at minimum 12mm thick. You can choose any type of stone or concrete, for instance, however, you should be cautious not to use sand as this could affect the performance of the stove and cause a chimney problem. You'll also require a pair twin wall flue pipes, class D airvent, and chimney cowl.

Maintenance

Shed wood burners can be safely used provided there is adequate ventilation and a smoke detector is installed. If you intend to install a wood stove in your shed, be sure that the electrical installation is signed off by an electrician and that any flammable material is kept away from the stove.

It is recommended to clean the chimney and glass of your log heater in your shed regularly. You can apply a light squirt of vinegar to remove any marks or smudges from the inside of the stove glass - be sure not to spill any vinegar inside the burner. You can also apply a mild solution of washing liquid on paper towel to clean the outside of the log burner glass.

Keep in mind that shed log heaters are made to make use of dry seasoned firewood. The moisture content of the logs must be less than 20 percent. The best method to determine the level of moisture in your logs is to use a wood moisture meter. Place your wood in a place that is well ventilated. Keep combustibles such as curtains and furniture away from the shed. It is a good idea to have your chimney cleaned at least every year.