False chimney breast and fireplace alterations in Taunton, Somerset.

A1 rated fireboard and metal studwork is used to create this false chimney breast. The project involved installing a Mendip Woodland 5 KW wood burning stove. We also lay a slate hearth. Glowing Stoves adhere strictly to HETAS guidelines. Distance to combustibles are an issue.

The stove installation pictured, involves cutting into the existing chimney at 45 degrees. We drop a flue liner down the chimney and attach to vitreous pipe via an adaptor. This then connects to a 45-degree bend and in to a straight pipe from the top of the stove. We test the wood burning stove and all is good. After the stove installation is completed, we then proceed with the false chimney breast. Many suppliers are shut. Our suppliers are not available due to the virus pandemic. We persevere and carry out the fireplace alterations. To finish the task, we have to borrow plasterboard from a builder. We also purchase two convection panels for the Mendip stove. Distance to combustibles are now 100 mm. Internally we heat shield the flue pipe. Proximity to combustibles are 3 times the flue diameter. We halve this with heat shielding.

Always observe distance to combustibles when carrying out fireplace alterations.

This aspect catches many people out. We have lost count of the projects that we have surveyed with the following scenario: 1) A lovely oak beam is fitted by our customer, only be to be informed that it will have to be removed. 2) The customer buys a discounted log burner online and then finds it has a large distance to combustibles. This often means selling it at a loss on eBay. Always check this aspect before purchasing.

Glowing Stoves can supply most wood burning stoves at competitive prices. Let us advise you.

Glowing Stoves remain open during this virus pandemic.

Based on current advice from our government, we are able to carry on with stove installations and fireplace alterations. However, we insist on social distancing and will not work with our customers in the same room. We also wear gloves and wipe down door handles etc.

We have recently purchased a large amount of components to enable us to carry on working. Our HETAS engineers are still able to carry out FREE surveys in Somerset and Devon. If at all possible, we ask our customers to forward any photos that they have of the chimney stack and fireplace opening. Sometimes we can quote from these.