Zebra Fires is a small, independent company created by me; David Griggs. Zebra fires are a relatively new company that has been created to help people utilise the benefits of renewable energy and to enjoy the beauty and warmth that a real fire can offer. As multi national companies continue to tighten the strangle hold on everyday consumers with increasing energy prices, Zebra Fires believes there is an alternative. If you have access to wood and would like to take control then this is a great time to do it.
We offer quality assured fire stove services. From appliance installation, Chimney sweeping, Twin wall Systems, Cowls, Recess opening and hearth fitting, Pizza ovens and Log stores.
HETAS approved installation of Fire stove appliances
Chimney Sweeping - Now available, Traditional and Power Sweeping service, Zebra Fires is now affiliated and has been trained with the Chimney Sweep Academy to undertake the sweeping of chimney flues, flex liners, Pellet Stoves, Solid fuel Ray burns. Zebra Fires also offers CCTV inspections. All solid fuel appliances require a minimum annual sweep to prolong the lifespan of the flue. All work is certified for insurance purposes. The Sweep can also incorporate a stove service including replacement of firebricks, Glass, Glass rope and door rope seals.
If your property does not have a traditional chimney system it is normally possible to install a prefabricated system that either fits up through the property or through an outside wall and up the outside of the property. Just because you live in a home or workplace with no chimney does not mean you can't have a log burner. These systems are termed "Twin Wall" systems.
Keep the birds from nesting in your chimney by fitting a Cowl. The cowl simply fits over the chimney pot and stops the birds from gaining access. It also provides some protection from the rain.
If you have a gas fire then the chances are that it is sitting in front of a traditional chimney. Zebra Fires is able to knock out these fireplace openings and fit a new hearth if required. A GAS SAFE engineer would be needed to remove the gas fire safely. Zebra Fires can organise a complete package for this can organise a reliable GAS SAFE engineer.
Zebra Fires are able to offer for the summer, a bespoke Clay Pizza Oven. Each one is unique as they are custom built on site to your specification. They are built from clay and sand so have a distinctive look about them. Consisting of three layers:
They are a very attractive feature to any garden space and cook the tastiest pizzas in about a minute at around 400 degrees! Please get in contact for more information.
Make sure your logs season well by building a log store. Zebra Fires offer custom built log stores. If you would like more information please feel free to get in contact.
A thorough survey will be performed giving the customer advice on the best KW output of appliance, the location of stove and whether an air vent is required. Zebra Fires will also commission the appliance properly taking into account the age of the property, how air tight the property is, insulation levels, ventilation levels and flue termination. Increasingly popular open plan layouts are also taken into consideration when adequately commissioning the appliance.
After agreement to terms and conditions and acceptance of the quote, Zebra Fires will agree a date for install. A sweep of the chimney (if being used) is required by a certified chimney sweep - this can be performed by Zebra Fires. Zebra Fires will install a flexible flue liner of specified length and diameter. A register plate will also be installed to protect the occupants from any falling debris from the chimney. The appliance is fitted into place and then the vitreous pipe and flexible flue liner are dropped down onto the stove.
At the top, a new chimney pot is fitted if required and the flue liner is clamped to the pot using a pot hanger that also protects the flue liner from rain and birds. All joints are sealed using silicone sealant, fire rope and fire cement.
Zebra Fires will perform a post installation smoke test on the appliance to check for correct operation. Zebra Fires will also install a carbon monoxide alarm according to the UK building regulations. A free moisture meter to check wood is suitable for burning and a FREE Customer information folder.
Below are some of our most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that is not listed below then please get in contact. We will be happy to answer
Unless you are installing an appliance in a new build property with a clay liner or other proprietary system, Zebra Fires will always install a flue liner. A flue liner is a stainless steel flexible liner that is inserted into the existing chimney. It performs the function of allowing the gases from the appliance to travel directly to the outside of the property and thus removes the risk of gases coming into contact with occupants. The liner also creates a much better flow for the gases and so the appliance will function better as a result.
Gases travelling up a traditional brick chimney can potentially leak through into the property. It has been known that even after a chimney survey the gases managed to leak through gaps in wallpaper. The gases can also leak through mortar and plaster.
Flue liners come in two different grades 316 and 904. This refers to the quality of the steel that is used and the higher number typically means a longer lifespan provided the flue is cleaned regularly.
The main difference is that a stove is not an open fire. An open fire will always burn at 100% of its capability so all fumes and gases are taken up the chimney and away from the occupants. There is no way of shutting down or reducing the output of an open fire.
Stoves are different. They come in different Kilowatts (kw) outputs from around 2kw right up to 50kw. Stoves also have dampers which can affect how quickly a stove burns the wood. For example this could mean having an 8kw stove and shutting it down so that it has the same output as say a 5kw stove. This could seem like a great idea if the room is getting too hot. The only issue here is that by closing the fire down you are not letting the wood burn properly so run the risk of the stove emitting harmful gases into the room. The way round this is to install the right size stove for the room.
A stove, like an open fire, should burn at 100% of its capability without over heating the room.
A HETAS installer is a specialist and has a sound knowledge of the Building Regulations relevant to their profession, particularly Approved Document J. This guidance document is complex and is regularly misinterpreted by lay persons including some builders and can result in faulty, dangerous installations.
It is also important to have a HETAS certificate if your property is sold. One of the first items a conveyancing solicitor will ask for are certificates relating to any work done to the property. Lack of proper certification has resulted in delayed house sales and even sales falling through.
in their words:
"HETAS is the official body recognised by Government to approve biomass and solid fuel heating appliances, fuels and services, including the registration of competent installers and servicing businesses"
By using a HETAS installer you are ensuring that your appliance is installed correctly and that it conforms to all current building regulations.
The HETAS Approved Product process demonstrate to installers and end users that your products are safe, efficient and conform to Building Regulations. HETAS lists Approved Products in both the printed and online Official Guide to HETAS Approved Products & Services giving verified important information such as gross efficiency, refuel periods and fuel type, as well as Defra exemption status.
The CE marking is required for many products.
It shows that the manufacturer has checked that these products meet EU safety, health or environmental requirements is an indicator of a product’s compliance with EU legislation allows the free movement of products within the European market
By placing the CE marking on a product a manufacturer is declaring, on his sole responsibility, conformity with all of the legal requirements to achieve CE marking.
Put simply a DEFRA exempt stove has been designed so that it can burn wood in a DEFRA zone. DEFRA zones are areas that are designated for clean air. This is to cut down on smog and air pollution. A DEFRA exempt stove has been designed in such a way that it will always clean burn (no or very little smoke) wood and other approved products in these area.
The Ladygrove Estate in Didcot, South Oxfordshire is in a DEFRA zone, so if you live here then you must use a DEFRA exempt stove and burn special wood. This is undoubtedly due to the siting of the nearby Power station cooling towers and the need to keep other emissions to a minimum. For further information just check the DEFRA web site.
Stoves vary massively, in physical size and KW output. The stove you fall in love with just may not be suitable for the room you have. For example, if you install a 10kw stove in a room designed for a 5kw stove the first thing you will find is that you are too hot so you will probably do one of two things: open a window or shut the stove down by closing the primary air intake. This might work in the short term however the stove may not burn the wood properly which can lead to deposits on the chimney or flue and the risk of harmful, sometimes deadly carbon monoxide emissions. A proper survey will make sure that you choose the right size stove for the room.
Carbon Monoxide is a tasteless orderless gas that can be emitted from a faulty stove or a stove that is not burning properly. The main obvious danger is that because you can't taste or smell it you would not know if there is a problem. Carbon Monoxide can be deadly. Zebra Fires not only installs a carbon monoxide alarm in the correct place, but will also ensure that your appliance is properly commissioned with advice on the best kw output stove to choose and whether an air vent is required to aid the combustion process.
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