Upstairs Fireplaces

[wardcottage]

I have a greade II listed cottage with 3 upstairs fireplaces. The house hasn't been lived in for 40 years and dates back to 1791. Where do I stand with Building Regs and upstairs fireplaces? We would obviusly like to line the chimneys and put morso stoves in them but believe building regs does not allow this.

Can anyone help and advise what I can do?

 

[Mark]

what makes you think that it isnt allowed?

Theonly issue I can think of would be the hearth requirements. perhaps look at stoves with have a low hearth temp and the glass hearths.

 

[wardcottage]

Thankyou for your reply, a fire shop said that if the upstairs rooms are bedrooms you cannot have a fire due to building regs. Are they misleading me? As it is an old cottage which has fireplaces in all bedrooms, it seems a same to board them up.

 

[Nemesis]

Well if already in situ then I can think of no reason why they can't be used.

But chimney lining may need LBC. As may the stoves, if you have to remove anything else to fit them.

(We have fireplaces in bedrooms!)

 

[MdB]

Having had a quick look at Part J regs, you are not allowed gas or oil fired heaters in bedrooms but it doesn't say anything about solid fuel. Worth a read if you are bored though:
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/4000000000503.html

 

[stuart]

If the fire places are already there then I don't see why you need to meet building regs. I thought they only applied to new additions/ modifications etc?
And you may not have to line the chimney, unless it leaks smoke into the room, in which case you could re-point it.
I'm no expert though, just my opinion

 

[Nemesis]

Installation of stoves requires a lining.

 

[wardcottage]

I appreciate everyones help on the fireplace matter. I am going to investigate further everything everyone has said.

 

[skier-hughes]

If the fire places are already there then I don't see why you need to meet building regs. I thought they only applied to new additions/ modifications etc?
And you may not have to line the chimney, unless it leaks smoke into the room, in which case you could re-point it.
I'm no expert though, just my opinion

and put morso stoves in them

The installation of a new stove would require, as Nemesis has said, a liner to the chimney.

 

[middi]

I have never heard of any regulation or ruling insisting at the forbiding use or closure of existing period fireplaces because they are unsafe to use even if sound.

Surely it is up to the individual user to make sure that they are in good operational order as originally intended.

It would be a different kettle of fish if dealing with a new build or modification of existing.