register plate?

[robgil]

Mmm, the thing is though guys I might not be lining my chimney, my chimney man said its not a legal requirement and if the fire works ok without it then it should be safe enough.
Not a good idea with thatch I know but the stack will be completely re-pointed before I light it.
I really need a liner don't I ?
Funny though , my insurance company says I don't.

 

[MatthewC]

my chimney man said its not a legal requirement and if the fire works ok without it then it should be safe enough.

"Safe enough"? Is that an adequate standard for something so critical?

It depends very much on your particular installation - I'd be wanting to get a second professional opinion, personally.

A chimney liner is pretty well £40-£50 per metre (!)

I hope you are getting 904 grade for that price. 316 should be less than £30/m.

Yes, double-skinned 904 for multifuel use - I want it to outlast me! I'm getting about 10 metres plus fittings, installed for £546.

Matthew
http://houseintheenchantedforest.blogspot.com/

 

[robgil]

This chimney has indeed been safe enough for nearly 300 years without a liner and I suspect the roof has only burned down the once in going on 500 years . The chimney man was really good though, very professional. Apparently he is the only chimney man in Suffolk qualified to give out safety inspection certificates. The first guy didn't even have the right brush to clean the chimney with.

 

[AMc]

I don't know if open fires are safer than stoves or not - I'm guessing the exhaust is cooler so probably less of a risk?
My folks have had a stove fitted into their fireplace replacing a jetmaster 'open' fire. They did have the stack lined and have been told not to use paper to start the fire only kindling so there is less chance of burning embers going up the chimney and settling on the thatch.
I would take a cautious approach if it were me and line - you're putting a lot of effort into that house and it would only be little consolation that you were insured if the worst were to happen.
While I've occasionally wondered how I'd feel if this place went up in smoke - along with the never ending list of repairs and redecorating that it STILL needs - I think I'd be devastated even if the insurance could rebuild it.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Possibly a dumb question - but is there not some sort of mesh or sieve one can install in the chimney or liner that allows smoke through but not burning cinders/embers?

Am I daft or should I patent this and apply for the next series of Dragons' Den?

 

[philpjuk100]

That sounds a good idea,I know a friend with a traction engine has a "spark arrester" fitted to his chimney to prevent is setting fire to crops but have never heard of one fitted to a house chimney.
update! just "googled" it and they are available!

 

[d49xc]

I know one person with a listed building and a thatched roof and a wood burning stove.
Their insurance company required them to fit a spark arrestor sort of thing at the top of the chimney as a condition to continue providing insurance cover.

 

[Penners]

You can get spark arresters to fit chimbleys, but there seems to be some debate about whether they reduce the risk of fire on thatched roofs or not.

Generally, the advice seems to be NOT to have a wood-burning stove if you have a thatched roof.

 

[robgil]

Apparently spark arrestors can send the sparks back down onto the roof, some insurance companies dont like them.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

That sounds a good idea,I know a friend with a traction engine has a "spark arrester" fitted to his chimney to prevent is setting fire to crops but have never heard of one fitted to a house chimney.
update! just "googled" it and they are available!

Bugger - that's another millionaire scheme busted then. Think I'll email that Nigerian general back about those diamonds he has for me...

 

[Flyfisher]

This chimney has indeed been safe enough for nearly 300 years without a liner and I suspect the roof has only burned down the once in going on 500 years

Once every 500 years sounds fairly safe . . . until you discover that the 'once' could be tomorrow.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

This chimney has indeed been safe enough for nearly 300 years without a liner and I suspect the roof has only burned down the once in going on 500 years

Once every 500 years sounds fairly safe . . . until you discover that the 'once' could be tomorrow.

Unless it also coincides with one of these once-in-a-thousand-years extreme weather events we seem to be having more regularly. That'll soon douse it.

 

[robgil]

This is an interesting site,

http://www.stoveandfireplaceadvice.org.uk/5.html

found it by reading this,

http://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/services/chimney.htm

It looks as though lining is a good idea as most thatch fires come from within the chimney, I would never have guessed that bricks could get this hot.

Prior to changes in Building Regulations in
1966, a typical flue comprised an unlined single brick chimney and this design
is likely to be seen in many thatched properties. The burning of certain solid
fuels can raise the temperature of these flues above the ignition point of
thatch.