Fire Safety and Wood-Burning Stoves
February 21st, 2011
Retailers and manufacturers are reporting a huge increase in sales, the key drivers being the interest in environmentally friendly technology, the potential for saving money, particularly in light of ever increasing domestic fuel bills, and the fact that architects are building them into their plans as a secondary green heating source because planners favour this option. Correspondingly, estate agents report that wood-burning stoves are increasingly popular with home buyers, people just love them!
They are apparently the latest word in green heat…. but do people new to their use understand how to operate them safely?
Why have wood-burning stoves become so popular?
- A wood-burner is much more energy efficient than an open fire. An open fire is about 20 / 25% efficient whereas a modern wood-burning stove is more than 80% efficient.
- Some stoves allow you to cook whilst warming your home.
- Wood is a carbon-neutral fuel. It does release carbon dioxide when burnt but the amount given off is the same as was stored by the growing tree. Most firewood in the UK is sustainably sourced, for every tree cut down another is planted, and the carbon released from the felled tree thus absorbed by another tree.
- Cleanburn technology, which introduces pre-heated air into the smoke at the top of the firebox to combust the hydrocarbons in the smoke, has the dual benefit of producing less pollution and more efficiency.
- A wood-burner is much cleaner than an open fire.
- Many stoves are clean enough to be legally used in urban smoke-free zones, the particulate emissions are three to four times less than with an open fire.
- They look great, from traditional to ultra modern designs.
Safety and wood smoke -what to look out for
Wood smoke contains pollutants, these can leak into the air of your home when you open the stove or if your wood stove leaks. Exposure to the pollutants in wood smoke can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea and dizziness. Wood smoke can also make asthma worse, and has been associated with an increase in respiratory problems.
If you smell smoke indoors, it means the wood stove or fireplace isn’t venting properly – it may be a block in the chimney or a faulty damper. These are fire hazards and could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.
The main pollutants that cause health concerns are:
- Particulate Matter: solid or liquid particles found in the air which can cause respiratory and heart problems.
- Carbon Monoxide: a colourless, odourless gas – poisonous at high levels.
- Volatile Organic Compounds: a wide range of compounds that usually have no color, taste or smell, some cause direct health effects.
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: have the potential to cause cancer.
How to reduce the risks
- Burn only seasoned wood.
- Use logs that are 4-6 inches in diameter. Because fires burn better with more surface area exposed to the flame.
- Do not burn plastics, cardboard, glossy paper or polystyrene.
- Never burn wood that has been taken from salt water, this produces carcinogenic toxins.
- Do not burn treated or painted wood, chip board or plywood.
- Store wood outside not inside, covered and off the ground.
- Use a high-efficiency wood stove.
- Have the stove professionally installed.
- Have the stove inspected and cleaned every year.
- Make sure the fire is getting enough air – install a chimney fan if nece