Thatch Fire Prevention and regulations.
The rules and hetas regulations regarding solid fuel appliances and open fires within thatch properties can seem complicated, but you can be comforted with the fact that Stove and Chimney Solutions can talk you through it all and work to your budget to make your property insurable.
Below we are going to go through a few solutions to meet hetas regulations and keep your home safe and give you piece of mind.
Insurance companies will often state that if an appliance is to be installed that it must have an insulated flue way, their are a few options available. An insulated flue way will provide improved protection to your property in the event of a chimney fire and improve the efficiency of your stove. The high temperatures that can be reached within the flue way need insulating to prevent heat transfer which can lead to a fire.
To meet current regulations we can fit a stainless steel twin wall insulated chimney system. This is a system typically used when installing a solid fuel appliance. The rigid sectional liners are fixed together throughout the height of the chimney or just past any wood beams in the lounge to pass distance to combustibles then adapted to insulated flexi liner to make it easier to pass through bends and will produce a cheaper quote. A closure plate is installed within the recess but must include a inspection hatch. This is to make sure all joints of the system can be inspected throughout the chimney with a CCTV camera over time.
We can install a Hetas approved 904L top grade 30 yr top grade stainless steel flexible liner, wrapped in an insulating blanket. Again, this is a system typically used when installing a solid fuel appliance. This is more commonly done as it is much less disruptive to the property than a pumice isokern system as this can be up to triple the price and sometimes lead to removing brick work to fit bends and back fill with insulation. We can provide free estimates and advice on this. call us now on 07521647885
The current Hetas regulations require that the top of the chimney pot should be 1.8 metres above the thatch ridge. This often means extending the existing chimney in either new brickwork, installing a taller chimney pot, or a combination of the two.
This regulation is to help hot embers leave the top of the chimney and be carried away from the thatch with the up draught which may reduce the risk of sparks falling onto the thatch which is now believed to be the main reason in a thatch fire occurring which is very hard to stop with devastating consequences.
If your property is listed then listed buildings consent will be required. In some instances, permission will not be granted. In these instances, the Hetas installers would require in writing prior to works commencing a statement from the listed buildings authority stating they do not permit this aspect of the works to be undertaken and that this prevents full compliance with existing Hetas regulations. It is also advisable that you also get in writing from your relevant insurance company a letter stating that with this knowledge, they are still prepared to provide insurance cover for the property with the installation being completed to all permitted regulations.
Stove and Chimney Solutions are approved Magma Firestop sprayers working in conjunction with highly experienced master thatcher and the thatch advice centre to prevent thatch fire. Magma Firestop Spray needs to be sprayed onto a dry roof on a dry day.
Our company and staff are qualified personnel who are familiar with Thatched roofs and understand the delicacy of thatched roofs and Hetas regulations installing woodburners. So you can have the confidence in our team to cover all aspects of your properties safety. We use the appropriate pressure pump, lance and nozzles to spray the roof at the relevant application rate.
90% of spraying is done from the ground using the special extending lance or from a ladder, unless the roof is very high in which case cherry pickers/scaffold can be used.
The average roof takes between ½ to 1 day to spray, including the preparation of the site. Magma spray dries within a few hours.
Magma Firestop is safe to use and is environmentally friendly and a non-borate based product. It does not change the appearance of the thatch (it is a watery milky colour which dries clear).
Re-application of the product is generally required every 5 – 7 years. This is due to the natural degradation of the thatch.
A Treatment Certificate is supplied on completed Magma sprayed roofs (on full receipt of funds), which can be used for obtaining insurance Premium Reductions.
The internal thatch Magma spray and wood spray are similarly applied with subtle differences ie application rate. Treatment Certificates are also issued.
If you are uncertain about anything regarding Magma Firestop fire retardant spray please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone and we are happy to help.
CCTV Survey
Stove and Chimney Solutions are often requested to perform CCTV Survey by our customers and insurers to ensure a flues integrity and to satisfy their insurance requirements. If you have just moved into a thatch property we would highly recommend a CCTV survey and chimney report before it is used. This will provide both piece of mind for yourself as the home owner, but may also reduce your insurance premiums even if it has not been specifically requested. If you are considering having an installation, a CCTV survey and report will help decide what needs to be done.
Call us for more information on 07521647885