New fireplace - how to seal?

[akapaddy]

Hi folks.

First post on here and I really hope someone can help me.

I want to use an existing fireplace for a real fire. There's never been a real fire there before, just an electric insert. The house is reasonably modern, about 20 years old.

I went out today and bought a grate and some fire cement as I had notice that there was a gap between the fireplace surround and the fire back (see pics). However I've just had another close look, which included sticking my head up the chimney(!) and was alarmed to see polystyrene insulation sheets clearly visible at the top of the opening.

What do I do with these - break them off sufficiently to enable me to force some fire cement up into the opening? I've tried to capture them in the pictures. I'll try to place these pics in order, so #1 is straight-on view of fireplace, #2 is one of the vertical sides showing the gap, #3 and #4 are looking up, where the polystyrene is visible.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[Richard C]

You cannot just stick a solid fuel fire into an existing opening without getting the flue, hearth & other Building Regulation requirements checked & certified by someone competent & qualified to carry out the work (HETAS), read this but by all means come back with specific questions if you need;

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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 an open fire or stove install but you need to understand the Building Regs (which changed in October 2010), submit a Building Notice & pay a fee. Your LABC will inspect &, assuming everything is OK, issue a compliance certificate; the BI may want to witness smoke & spillage tests. No compliance certificate may lead to difficulties when you come to sell your property; if you cannot produce a compliance certificate in the event of a problem, your insurance company may invalidate your policy & reject any claim.

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.woodburnerwarehouse.co.uk/building_regualtions_for_stoves.phtml
http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADJ_2010.pdf
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
//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1855590#1855590

& some more sobering reading just 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
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ouple-dead-arms-sofa-overcome-coal-fumes.html

Also get at least 3 quotes from local independent HETAS installers:
http://www.hetas.co.uk/nearest_member

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

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