When you
visit a holiday cottage, having a warming open fire or woodburning stove is
always a welcome treat. So, if you run your own holiday let business,
installing either option is a surefire way to add appeal to your home and make
it stand out from the crowd. Not only is a fire a cosy, toasty feature, but it
also provides an efficient heat source which can reduce the amount you spend on
fuel bills.
However, an
open chimney or woodburning stove does come with specific maintenance
requirements, as well as risks and hazards. In fact, if you have paying guests,
you’ll need to comply with Fire Safety Law
and fill in a Fire Risk Assessment
form for your
fire or stove. Aside from this, there are a few other important considerations
you should bear in mind:
Choose a fire or stove that’s easy to use
First and
foremost, you’ll need to choose a fire or stove that your guests will be able
to use easily. Make sure there’s not too many complicated valves and settings
to fiddle around with, but also ensure that the fire can be regulated so it
burns efficiently. Your fire should be able to burn fuel that’s easy to access
(i.e. wood that you can purchase in a local shop) or alternatively, you could
provide a set amount of fuel for your guests. Finally, make sure your fire or
stove comes with an instruction manual which is clear and easy to read.
Consider the placement of your fire
Once you’ve
chosen the right fire for your home, you’ll next need to carefully consider the
placement of your fire or stove. Obviously, if it’s connected to an existing
chimney this probably can’t be altered. With this in mind, you’ll need to
ensure the furniture and any other combustible materials around the fire are
kept well clear- around 40-80cm, however the further away, the better.
Install a carbon monoxide alarm
Carbon
monoxide (CO) alarms should be present in all buildings in the UK, however, if
you have an open fire or stove, it’s even more essential. CO is an odourless,
invisible gas which, if breathed in by humans, can be extremely harmful to
health- potentially fatal. As of October 2015, all holiday lets are required by law
to have CO alarms
installed. Just remember not to place it over or next to the fire as the
results will be inaccurate.
Invest in holiday home insurance
As a holiday
home owner, you’ll know just how important it is to take out insurance to
protect your building and possessions. After all, it may be your home, but
you’re not living there and therefore, you don’t have ultimate control-
accidents can happen and you don’t want to have to pay for someone else’s
mistake. Taking out insurance is simply good practice for a holiday let
business, but even more so if you have an open fire. Your holiday home is your
business- if it’s out of action, you’ll need compensation to cover the income
lost.
Get your chimney serviced
Before you
open up your home to guests, be sure to get your chimney and stove checked over
by a professional so you know that it’s safe to use. Once your home is in use,
be sure to call in professional chimney sweeps regularly to carry out any
necessary cleaning and repairs. In between these expert checks, you should
regularly check your fireplace for sooty marks and accumulating smoke, as well
as empty the ash bin.
If you’re looking for a professional chimney
cleaning service for your holiday let business in Sussex, Kent or Surrey, look
no further than Milborrow Chimney Sweeps. Our expert team are trained and
qualified to inspect, clean and maintain your fire or stove to ensure it’s in
good working order at all times. To find out more,
get in touch with us today.
