Safety Information

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Safety Information

Please find below a collection of safety information designed to help keep you safe from smoke inhalation and fires, and to protect your property from smoke damage and fire.

Disclaimer

The following information is given as part of the service provided by your sweep. It is given in good faith, but as your sweep can only carry out a brief visual inspection and has not investigated any inaccessible and/or concealed areas, the information must not be relied upon in any way.

Chimneys are affected by the way they are used, the weather and many other conditions not known to your sweep. If you have any safety concerns, please talk to your sweep who will be able to help. This is not a certificate of guarantee or warranty that any fireplace, heating appliance, boiler, flue or chimney stack is safe.

Unless your sweep is qualified to test the inaccessible and concealed areas of the flue, they cannot warrant that there are no potential defects in the flue or your chimney arising from fair wear and tear, willful damage, accident, negligence by you or any third party, use otherwise as recommended by the manufacture of the appliance, failure to follow the manufacturer's instructions, or any alteration or repair carried out by you or any third party.

Regular Chimney Cleaning

Chimneys using solid fuel, oil & gas need regular chimney cleaning, servicing & inspection.

Many people fail to sweep their chimney or service appliances often enough, either through neglect, not understanding the necessity, or for financial reasons.

Of all carbon monoxide deaths in the UK 32% are solid fuel related, 37% are mains gas related.

(statistics of deaths produced by kind permission of CO-Gas Safety)

It is essential that you do not allow soot, fly ash, vermin nests or other matter to build up where it can prevent or hinder smoke and the products of combustion passing safely out of the flue. Please read manufacturer's instructions, as some appliances require internal flues clearing every 4 weeks when in use and prior to lighting.

Air Supply

Do not make the room airtight because the heating appliance can start to deplete oxygen levels & this is dangerous to anybody within the dwelling. You may need an extra vent or air bricks to provide extra oxygen for the appliance

Servicing

For safety reasons have your appliance serviced at the manufacturer’s recommended intervals by qualified tradesmen.

Never block existing vents or air bricks, or appliance flue ways.

Smoke Testing Of Chimneys

For solid fuel, to ensure the integrity of your flue, it is recommended that the flue or appliance is smoke tested or draft tested after sweeping.

Fumes

If incomplete combustion of a carbon based fuel occurs (solid fuel including coal, smokeless fuel, gas, oil, wood or charcoal for guidance) then carbon monoxide will be produced. If you see smoke-stained brickwork or elements, or signs of water, there may be blockages within your flue, and the possible generation of carbon monoxide.

Please Note

Very tarry chimneys present a higher risk of chimney fires even if swept regularly. Loose lining material may continue to fall, no matter how often the chimney is swept. Serious cases will need relining. This should be acted upon before the fire is lit again.

The smoke evacuation check does not guarantee the integrity of the chimney, You should be particularly careful as to the condition of your flue and chimney if using solid fuel, oil or gas. If you have any concerns in this regard please talk to your sweep who will be delighted to do all he can to help.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. In the UK 200 people needlessly die or become seriously ill due to carbon monoxide poisoning annually. There have been surveys that suggest that these numbers are only a fraction of actual incidents as many cases of carbon monoxide poisoning go unreported. An annual safety check by a competent person could prevent the deaths of you and your loved ones.

Many healthcare professionals do not recognise the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, as it is often confused with the flu.

Symptoms include:

• Severe headaches

• Chest or stomach pains

• Drowsiness

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• General lethargy

If any of these symptoms are experienced, medical advice should be sought and heating appliances and flue ways should be checked immediately.

See below for detailed information on specific fuel types and make sure you and your family are safe.

Solid Fuel

For installation, only use a H.E.T.A.S registered installer.

For cleaning, only use a GUILD OF MASTER SWEEPS registered chimney sweep.

Always have your flues swept at least once a year, more often if you use the appliance year round.

More frequent sweeping is advisable to prevent chimney fires, particularly if you burn wood, and you should burn only suitable fuels and operate the appliance in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions at all times. Ensure all flue ways in the appliance are kept clear.

Some room heaters have a throat plate at the top of the firebox. It is essential that this is removed and cleaned at least once a month. If the plate is not easily removed it may need gentle tapping. Older plates might disintegrate or crack when removed; this is not the fault of the sweep or service engineer.

Gas

Only use a Gas safe registered engineer.

Chimneys serving gas appliances should be cleaned once a year. Try to arrange for the chimney to be cleaned prior to the appliance being serviced.

Flues need to be swept when changing to gas from any other fuel, or if it has not been used for a long period.

Gas Leaks

Do not operate any electrical appliances or switches – extinguish all naked flames and inform the appropriate authority. Do not re-light the fire or appliance until the problem has been investigated and rectified by a competent person.

Oil

Use only an O.F.T.E.C registered engineer.

Chimneys serving oil appliances should be cleaned once a year. Flues should be cleaned prior to the appliance being serviced. The engineer can then service the appliance & check the flue draw after servicing.

All fuels can release carbon monoxide (with the exception of electric) and are potentially lethal.

If a carbon monoxide alarm should sound:

Open all windows and doors to outside air where possible but only if it is safe to do so
Vacate the dwelling of all occupants, including pets
Let the fire go out; attempting to put the fire out can be lethal
Notify the appropriate authority