Fitting a free standing stove

This article gives information on installing a freestanding solid fuel stove in a chimney breast, with a top flue outlet, according to the rules applicable in England and Wales.

Who is allowed to fit a solid fuel stove ?
In England and Wales domestic solid fuel appliances fitted in dwellings are subject to building control, which means that every installation is required to:-

1. EITHER. Be supervised by a registered installer. A register of certified installers is maintained by The Solid Fuel Association.
   
2. OR. The local building control department be informed

Please note that "CORGI" gas certification does not qualify or authorise an installer to fit solid fuel appliances.
(The Building Regulations and Statutory Instrument 440/2002)

Chimney Cleaning
There must be access to clean the entire length of the chimney, including the flue connector and the space above any closure plate. Some stoves can be swept through the appliance, but other models may need a separate access hatch fitting.

Flue Connector
The stove is connected to the chimney with a short (up to 2m) length of vitreous enamel stove pipe with flexible glass rope to allow for expansion. The stove pipe is preferably straight, but up to 2 x 45 degree bends (with cleaning hatches) can be used if absolutely necessary. Where it passes through the chimney closure, it is sealed with a rosette and glass rope, fire cement alone is never enough. See connecting the stove pipe to the stove.

Convection Space
For good heat distribution, there needs to be at least 75mm free air space at each side of, above, and preferably behind the stove. Some models may need extra space for servicing access.

Fuel
Must be stored away from the fire, for instance, at the other side of a heatproof wall.

Air supply
All stoves need air to burn; lack of air is a very common cause of smoke emission. There must be a permanent air supply into the room equal to 550mm² per kW output (so 52mm square for a 5kW stove). Air leaking in round doors etc may suffice but fitting a vent very near to the fire, or behind it, will minimise the risk of draughts. An extractor fan, or another fuel burning appliance, even in another room, can remove combustion air.
(Building Regulations, Table 2.1 may give the false impression that no air supply is needed for stoves below 5kW)

Terminal
The chimney terminates in a vent which can be swept-through, at least 1m above the highest part of the roof.

Chimney
Your chimney creates the draught which makes a stove work. It must:-

• Be at least 5m high
• Terminate at least 1m above any roof
• have an internal cross section not less than 0.018m² (e.g. 150mm diameter) and not more than 0.14m² (e.g. 375mm x 375mm)
• be free from even the slightest crack or source of leakage. See Do I need a multi fuel chimney liner?
• have no bends sharper than 45 degrees
• be entirely free of obstructions and swept by a qualified chimney sweep.
• be connected only to the one appliance
• have a wall thickness of at least 100mm throughout its length, or be thoroughly insulated
• new masonry chimneys should be fitted with ceramic liners of at least 200mm diameter

Prefabricated chimneys should be fully insulated of at least 150mm internal diameter, conform to current standards and be installed in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.

Combustibles
We recommend keeping all combustible materials, which includes wooden parts, at least 450mm away from the stove or fluepipe. Plaster and oil-based paints won't stand up to heat, so use cement render and emulsion paint for walls near the stove.

Hearth
The stove is placed on a solid non-combustible hearth, able to bear the weight of the stove, at least 125mm thick (which may include the thickness of a solid floor) extending at least 300mm in front of the stove and 150mm to each side (unless protected by a heat-resistant wall.) The hearth doesn't have to be raised up, but its edges should be marked.