Safe and Sound with Solid Fuel

Keep warm and safe by taking the simple steps below;

• The Right Fuel - In order to get best value for money it is important to burn the right fuel of the correct size on your appliance. If you are in any doubt about which fuel of the many available is suitable for your particular appliance, the Wakefield Area is a Smoke Control Area, please telephone your local Approved Coal Merchant or a recognised organisation such as the Solid Fuel Association telephone freephone 0845 6014406.
• Air Supply - All fuels require an adequate supply of air to make them burn correctly. If too little air is available, fumes that are harmful to your family may escape into the room. If you have double glazing or draught proofing you will need to allow air to enter the room in which the appliance is installed via an air brick or grille, usually in the outside wall. Never seal, block or obstruct an air brick or grille, by doing so you may be putting your family and yourself at risk. Poor air supply increases the risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning. Please refer to "How to Avoid the Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning" on our "Repairs" and "Safety in the Home" information page for more information.WDH have HETAS Registered Engineers who will check the air supply to your appliance as part of the Annual Solid Fuel Service Programme.
• Flue Cleaning - Many solid fuel appliances have flueways through which the hot gases pass to and up the chimney. These flueways should be swept clean every month to remove any soot or ash. Some stoves and room heaters have a removable/drop down plate in the top of the fire box - this should also be removed and cleaned once a month. Remember, always let the fire go out the day before cleaning. WDH have HETAS Registered Engineers who will clean the appliance flueways as part of the Annual Solid Fuel Service Programme subject to the fire being out, any additional cleaning requirement is a tenant responsibility.
• Chimney Sweeping - All chimneys must be swept at least once a year preferably by a member of the National Association of Chimney Sweeps (NACS) or other approved sweeps. However, if your appliance is used continuously throughout the year or burns wood and coal more, frequent sweeping is recommended. The best time to have your chimney swept is at the start of the heating season, when you start to use your heating system in autumn/winter. It is also strongly recommended that the chimney be swept after any prolonged period when the appliance has not been used, e.g. holidays, etc. Remember these recommendations apply even if you burn smokeless fuels. WDH have NACS Accreditation and will sweep your chimney as part of the Annual Solid Fuel Service Programme, it is your responsibility as a tenant to arrange sweeping between Service's as advised above.
• Ash Removal - If ash is allowed to build up within the appliance the fire will not burn properly and the appliance may be damaged. Generally speaking, the appliance should be de-ashed before being filled with new fuel. The ash pan should be gently removed from the ash pit area and emptied into a suitable container. A hot ash carrier (a metal box with a lid) is ideal for this purpose. The ash pan should be replaced, the fire bed de-ashed with a poker or the de-ashing mechanism on the appliance and fresh fuel added. Dispose of ash carefully and be aware of hot ash.
• Fireguards - Legislation demands that a fireguard must be used to protect children under the age of 12 from touching any heating appliance. Fireguards manufactured to British Standards are recommended. Remember always use a spark guard with an open fire.
• Hot Water Tap Temperature - Solid Fuel appliances by nature of the fuel that they burn, control and use, generate high cylinder temperatures and as a consequence high hot water tap temperatures, please refer to "Safe Hot Water Tap Temperature Advice" on our "Repairs" and "Safety in the Home" information page.
• Radiator Surface Temperatures – Again, Solid Fuel appliances by nature of the fuel that they burn, control and use, generate high central heating water temperatures, please be aware of high radiator surface temperatures that may burn if touched.
• Annual Solid Fuel Service Programme - WDH have fully qualified HETAS and NACS Registered Engineers who carryout an Annual Service of the installed solid fuel appliance in your property, this includes the sweeping of your chimney once a year, this is a Safety Check so please allow access to your property.
• If you have any problems with regard to the operation of your Solid Fuel appliance and system, wish to report a fault or require further advice please contact WDH OneCALL on 0845 8 507 507.