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Wood Heater Safety
When properly maintained and operated your wood heater should give you many years of
service, however there are important safety aspects of these products that you need to be
aware of when operating a wood heater.
1.
This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced
physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless
they have been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a
person responsible for their safety.
2.
Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
3.
If the electrical supply cord is damaged, it must be replaced by the manufacturer, its
service agent or similarly qualified persons in order to avoid hazard.
4.
Never place combustible items such as but not limited to furniture, fabric or wood
within the specified clearances to combustibles.
5.
The burning of wood gives off gases which can be extremely dangerous. Wood heaters
are designed so that under normal operating circumstances these gases pass up the
flue chimney system and cannot escape into your home, however it is important that
your flue system is properly installed and that you check all joints regularly to ensure
that there are no cracks or gaps, check the door sealing rope and replace when
damaged. We recommend a smoke alarm be fitted in rooms where wood heaters are
installed. Do not use wood heater in a room where negative pressure conditions may
occur, such as through the use of extraction fans unless an adequate air supply into the
room is ensured, as this may draw air through the wood heater and cause products of
combustion to escape into the room.
6.
This appliance is designed to specifically burn dry hardwood. Do not burn rubbish,
driftwood, flammable liquids or any substance containing salts or corrosives.
7.
Creosote and soot may accumulate in your flue pipe and chimney. This may ignite,
causing a chimney fire. If you suspect a chimney fire close down the air controls on the
wood heater, if the fire persists evacuate people from the building and call the Fire
Brigade. To prevent the accumulation of soot or creosote, check flue and chimney
regularly and clean as necessary. Good burning, hot wood heaters will generally cause
a lot less build-up than slow burning wood heaters, likewise dry wood will cause less
build-up than wet wood. We recommend a fire extinguisher be available where wood
heaters are in operation. In the event of a chimney fire do not re-light the wood heater
until it and the flue chimney system have been thoroughly checked and repaired as
necessary.
8.
Wood heaters get extremely hot and should not be touched when lit. When young
children are in the area, we recommend the use of a suitable fire guard around the
wood heaters. Always wear protective gloves when reloading wood heater.
9.
Never over-fire your wood heater. If external parts of your wood heater are glowing red
then the wood heater is over-firing and your draught settings should be reduced. Never
interfere with the draught mechanisms or adjust your air settings outside those limits
set when the wood heater is manufactured. Never use a fan to supply air to the wood
heater or to extract air from it.
10. All users of the wood heater should be aware of the contents of this manual. Please
leave this manual where it is accessible to wood heater users and do not allow anyone
to use the wood heater that is unfamiliar with its correct operation.
11. Never use the wood heater if any parts are missing or damaged, only use genuine parts
as replacements. Never modify your wood heater.
