Woodburning Stoves - Essential Information
From
The Open Fire Centre, Yorkshire St., Oldham, Lancashire:

Is my home suitable for a stove
How big does the stove need to be
Woodburning, Multi-fuel. What's the difference
Which Fuel is best
Can I burn coal
I live in a smoke control area
What is EN13240 & Does it affect me
Where can I buy wood
Which type of wood is best
Cast Iron or Steel - Which is best
Why should my chimney be lined
What is "Airwash"
What is "Cleanburn"
What is HETAS and how does it affect me
What size of flue do I need
I have not got a chimney
What clearances do I need around the stove
Do I need a hearth
Who should fit it, can I fit it myself
Do I need to inform the Local Council
Is it safe to buy on the Internet
What size of flue do I need for my woodburning stove?

Flue size is determined by either Building Regulation Document J or the size of flue outlet on the stove, which ever the greater.

The flue must not be smaller than the flue outlet on the stove.

If the stove is to be used purely for smokeless fuel the the smallest allowable flue diameter is 125mm ( 5" ) subject to the above limitation and 150mm ( 6" ) for stoves burning wood.

Building Regulations state that the only time this can be assured that only approved smokeless fuel is burned is if the stove is located in a Smoke Control Area. This is on the basis that, in Smoke Control Areas, wood cannot be burned.

This, however is a grey area as the Building Regulations to not take into account Defra Smoke control Approval which allowes exempt stoves to burn wood in smokeless areas.

The only way to be sure of complying is to treat 6" as the minimum with the unfortunate consequence that, with a good quality liner, it costs £100 more for a typical two storey house.

Beware! Cheap Internet liners are a false economy and should be avoided.

 
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