long shot - solid fuel fires

Absolutely no idea about building regs, but we're about to have a real fire fitted where there has previously been a gas fire and is currently boarded up (just the gas pipe sticking out of the carpet if that makes sense!). We had a survey done by the fireplace fitters who checked the draw of the chimney and said they would have to widen the opening a little - no idea to what size though! Sorry, don't mean to be so unhelpful, but what I mean to say is that the survey cost us £35 which is deducted from the cost of having the fire fitted - would you be using someone to fit it for you? They will probably offer the same service (a couple of places we were looking at di).

HTH (eventually!)

Look at the HETAS website as when you get new solid fire installed they will have to do an inspection (your installer may be qualified or else you have to find someone).

I think it is something like Buildings Regulations J that has full details.

We put in fire last Nov (although was into old opening of coal fire so maybe different). But the HETAS helpline very helpful, even if only pointing you to somewhere else.

? thanks for your help ... the building regulations website seems to have two different dimensions with no explanation about the differences... Will try calling HETAS though ?

Don` t know if this will be much help to you, but when we moved in we just had an open fireplace with nothing in it. we had to make the opening (cant remember the proper name for it) a certain height and width in order to have enough `pull` so that the smoke goes up the chimney and this was a legal requirement. you also have to make sure that the hearth is a certain material such as marble so that it can withstand the heat. we then made sure we got a certificate/receipt from the person who fitted the fireplace.