POSITIONING YOUR STOVE AND PROTECTING THE STRUCTURE FROM FIRE
Everything regarding the installation of your stove should be about ensuring that the structure doesn’t burn down and the inhabitants are protected from burning themselves on the stove as well as making sure they will never suffer from the dangerous effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Small spaces generally do not leave you much choice when it comes to siting your stove. However, try not to site your stove directly next to the only doorway into the space as this will also be the emergency exit. It sounds obvious but we’ve seen this so many times and it’s just asking for an accident to happen especially when there’s a possibility of children, the elderly or infirm accessing the space. Remember, stoves can stay hot enough to severely burn a person even after the fire has gone out. It is your legal responsibility to ensure that a suitable fireguard constructed to BS 8423 specifications is in place if children are to be present, therefore you must factor in space for this as well as for your stove.
In some countries their regulations state that a stove should never be installed in a bedroom or sleeping space (sadly, not in this country) so if you’re planning to sleep in your tiny space with the stove operating then we recommend that you think seriously about installing an alternative to a stove. This is because there could be a temptation to slumber burn the stove for long periods overnight which, with some stoves and installations, could produce the ideal conditions for incomplete combustion and potential carbon monoxide spillage.
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