ENSURING THERE’S A SAFE SUPPLY OF AIR
Stoves must have an adequate supply of combustion air to operate safely. When starved of air a stove will not completely burn the fuel and this can create the conditions for the production of excessive carbon monoxide which, could potentially escape into the living space. It prevents the stove from producing the high temperatures that create the critical updraught needed to safely remove combustion gases. Poor combustion can also cause the stove window to blacken and the flue to quickly tar up which in addition could easily cause a chimney fire which would be especially dangerous with the typical short flue heights and construction materials used in such temporary structures.
The only way to be sure that the stove receives an adequate supply of combustion air is to install a dedicated air vent or if the stove has the capability, a direct external air supply (DEAS) via non-combustible insulated ducting. In our opinion building regulations rules regarding air vents that apply to pre-2008 homes which state that only stoves above 5kW require an air vent should definitely not be applied to these tiny spaces. This is not because of the air-tightness of the structure but because of the really small volume of air which could be very easily depleted by a stove whatever its heat output.
Therefore, all stove installations, even those with a stove which has a heat output of less than 5kW, should incorporate a dedicated air supply.
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