What's this, some sort of chimney flue - can i remove it?

Guys,

I was down me mates today and we removed his old gas fire and found this (see picture) it seems to extend a brick or two up inside the chimney, my qestion would be then - is it safe to remove, i'm guessing its superficial and was used to aid flue/air flow.

He wants to install a log burner/stove and we were thought we might be able to get away without using any form of liner as the the inside of the chinmey is completey black so it begs the question whether we could install the burner without any lining - it's a 1961 semi.


Paul

In your case I would read the "more sobering all a load of old tosh" links first

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As this comes up so often, I’ve put together this generic post; read the links but not all may apply to you.

You can DIY but you need to understand the Building Regs (which changed in October 10), submit a Building Notice & pay a fee. Your LABC will inspect &, assuming everything is OK, issue you with a compliance certificate; the BI may want also to witness smoke & spillage tests.

Lots of archive threads on this, & other things you have to watch out for, here a few links for you to read:
http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/stove_building_regulations.html
http://www.hetas.co.uk/public/certificates.html
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/pdfs/buidling_regs_consumer leaflet.pdf
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=183614
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=211524
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=242738
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=224751

Some more sobering links in case you think it’s all a load of old tosh:
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/main_pages/news.htm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...wood-burning-stove-leaks-carbon-monoxide.html
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/warning_over_heaters_after_norfolk_couple_s_death_1_811099

By far the easiest/safest route is to use a registered HETAS installer who will do all the necessary work, commission the stove & provide you with a certificate of compliance. You can use one of the many stove shops around but you will find it much cheaper to employ an independent installer who is happy for you to source your own stove, liner & ancillaries & even undertake the necessary building work but do check with them first. You can download a list of local installers here;
http://www.hetas.co.uk/nearest_member

Get at least 3 quotes & you might be pleasantly surprised; you should ask yourself if you really want all the hassle & risk getting it wrong & climbing onto a roof with an 8M stainless steel snake on your back is not for the feint hearted!