This canopy and open fire is to be removed and a new contemporary multifuel stove fitted. The property is modern and should conform to current building regulations. Removing the canopy and fitting the new closure plate and flue liner should therefore present no issues.

Well the canopy is removed which was nice and easy but what was above the heat resistant board surrounding it was not what we expected, especially as this property was built within the last six years. Above the hole in the white coloured board are timber battens, oh dear.

As you can see this piece of wood was touching the front edge of the canopy and has become discoloured and in some places blackened by the heat leaking from the badly installed canopy. This could have caught fire eventually and without warning had the open fire been regularly used.

The non-combustible board has been cut away to enable the wooden supports to be trimmed back to a safe distance in line with the current building regulations. The black staining shows how far the hot flue gases had been leaking out from the badly sealed canopy. The boards are refitted and ready for the next stage of the works.

Whilst preparations are made inside the property the cherry picker is used to access the top of the chimney and inspect the chimney pot and flaunching. The chimney pot is securely seated but the flaunching is in need of repair. We are using a pot hanger to fit the liner so the flaunching will be repaired now.

The flaunching is now repaired and will effectively shed water in inclement weather. It is important this is in good condition and smooth so that any water will run off. If the flanching is defective water will collect on the top or get into cracks and can freeze during cold weather causing damage. The new chimney liner has been fitted with a pot hanger and a stainless steel birdguard cowl.

The new stainless steel chimney lining has now been fitted with the chimney closure plate and bottom adaptor firmly fixed in place. The green fluffy material you can see is a fireproof insulation used to prevent heat staying in the void above the steel cover and transferring to the timber battens. Another smaller removable cover will be fitted under the insulation.

The new Woodwarm Pheonix Firegem 5kW multifuel stove is now installed and is being tested as part of the Fotheringhay Woodburners commissioning and handover process.