{"id":987,"date":"2021-10-25T12:01:23","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T12:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chimneysolutions.ie\/?page_id=987"},"modified":"2023-02-07T01:21:12","modified_gmt":"2023-02-07T01:21:12","slug":"chimney-advice","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chimneysolutions.ie\/chimney-advice\/","title":{"rendered":"Chimney Advice"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
It’s that time of year again when everyone starts reusing their chimneys. Please note the 1st three fires being lit should be small as you are now reintroducing heat into a cold flue. Lighting a big fire in a cold clay flue lined chimney can crack the clay flue liners due to thermal shock.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Chimney fires and household insurance claims associated with the same are on the increase due to the unprofessional installation of solid fuel stoves and inset stoves by retailers and tradesmen who have no qualifications in the safe installation of these appliances. Many solid fuel stove retailers and installers will advertise that they are HETAS approved. Please be advised HETAS has no jurisdiction in Ireland. HETAS installers in Ireland cannot self-certify their own installations. Householders are not being informed of the dangers associated with the above.<\/p>
I would strongly advise when purchasing a solid fuel stove from a retailer and\/or installer to always ask the retailer and\/or installer if they are professionally insured? I would advise requesting a copy of the insurance certificate and to contact the insurance company to ensure the insurance certificate is valid. I would also advise asking the retailer and\/or installer if they have ever had a court judgement against them? If they reply “no” get it in writing.<\/p>
Retailers selling and installing solid fuel stoves employing 200mm-150mm stainless steel clay flue reducers\/adaptors are in breach of Building Regulations 2014 Technical Guidance Document J Heat Producing Appliances. This reducer\/adaptor (shown below) cannot safely contain the products of combustion allowing chimney condensates to run down the outside of the reducer.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Below is yet another example of shoddy workmanship. The installation on the left of the picture shows how simple it is to install the stainless-steel clay pot reducer. However, in the real world this installer has damaged the clay flue liner meaning this chimney is now not safe to use.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
Chimney sweeps that offer an OFTEC chimney certificate as a marketing tool are in breach of the Sales of Goods and Services Act as OFTEC is not a legal requirement in the Republic of Ireland.<\/p>
Please note Sweep safe chimney certificates are not fit for purpose as you have to sign a disclaimer removing any legal responsibility from the sweep safe chimney sweep.<\/p>
Sweep safe advising the Irish general public that Irish Insurance companies require a sweep safe chimney certificate is false and is also in breach of the Sales of Goods and Services Act.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t