Biomass, Solid Fuel Heating, Wood Stoves, Chimney Surveys and HETAS Training

air permeability testing
chimney testing & certification
chimney design
chimney CCTV surveys
biomass systems

Property Testing and Certification Services to Air Permeability Testing
to Approved Document L

Why? - To check for a sealed envelope so that all the buildings environmental services will operate effectively and economically.

How? - By creating a negative and positive pressure difference across the envelope while measuring the leakage across the structure.

This test is compulsory for domestic and commercial properties. It is the only practical way of confirming the air permeability of any property, without the need for over specifying the components to be used.

Using the latest patented equipment from Germany SURE FIRE TECHNICAL SERVICES can carry out the required testing without damage to the property or decoration in an efficient manner.

The service provides on-site confirmation of a pass or, in the event of a failure, carries out an investigation into the leakage, using the latest ultrasonic leak detection methods. This method of leak detection avoids the need for using smoke detection methods and provides a quick clean and effective investigation.

Property Testing and Certification Services to
Chimney and Flue Testing to Approved Document J
( Applies to all new dwellings)

Why? - To ensure the safety of the user of the fire and prevent Carbon Monoxide poisoning incidents.

How? - By ensuring the integrity , construction quality and the cleanliness of the flue in a chimney.

ADJ: 1.53 - "A check list for the report is given in Appendix A and guidance on testing is given in Appendix E."
ADJ: 1.54 - "Flues should be checked on completion to show that they are satisfactorily gas tight and constructed with materials and components of sizes which suit the intended application."

Sweeping / Core Test - Ensures the correct flue bore is maintained throughout the flue and that the chimney can be swept.

Soundness Test - Ensures the flue is satisfactorily air tight and gives a report of the result.

Flue Flow / Evacuation Test - Ensures the poisonous gases and Carbon Monoxide given off by the fire evacuate to atmosphere effectively.

Reporting & Data Plating - Required under ADJ: 1.53 & 1.56 and can be done on satisfactory completion of the above testing and investigation.

Chimney Design
The previous British Standards on the design, construction and testing of chimneys have all been replaced in the past three years by new European Standards.

This change provides a great deal more information and more stringent criteria for the design and specification of chimneys, be they on site constructed masonry chimneys or factory made block and steel chimneys.

As a result, Sure Fire Technical Services, long time specialists in the field, now offer a design service for chimneys and flues for solid fuel and wood burning appliances. This service includes the provision of a full specification and sizing calculation to enable a builder to ensure the safe operation of any solid fuel appliance in a domestic property.

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Chimney CCTV Surveys
Sure Fire Technical Services has been inspecting chimneys with CCTV equipment for almost 10 years and as a result is one of the countries leading specialists. We have done work on a wide range of properties from a standard social housing three bedroom semi detached house through to work on St Michael's Mount in Cornwall.
The surveys are used for many reasons but the most common are:
1.To check the quality of work carried out by others.
2.To certify chimneys
3.To investigate problems being experienced by the user of the appliance
4.To inspect prior to use, or re use, to identify any work that may be required to make the chimney safe.
The equipment used is produced by Wohler and will provide a survey in colour and since the camera has a pan and tilt head (enabling it to look through a full 360° arc), it is possible to obtain more detail than with a forward only look.
The survey is available as a CD or VHS video and for an extra charge can be edited to include on screen notes and comments.

Biomass System Commissioning & Testing
With the move to renewable energy in both new build and renovation projects it has become apparent that the Carbon Dioxide emission levels of homes has become a major factor in the minds of many buyers.

Mick Waumsley of Sure Fire Technical Services. has been a consultant on Biomass heating, and its integration into homes and multi source systems. Mick is one of the few BPEC and HETAS approved lecturers on the subject and has helped develop both the BPEC and the HETAS domestic biomass training manuals.