Commercial Fire Protection Devices

There are no devices on the market which can remedy inappropriate installations and irresponsible practices. To put the selection of various commercial devices into context, no device is a substitute for proper maintenance, good practice and a thorough understanding of thatch fire risk management. Remember when seeking advice, it is often being given by someone trying to sell you something! Smoke alarms are essential for the preservation of life, but by the time they have detected smoke, it will be too late to save the property.

As thatch is classified as a flammable material Approved Document J requires (in Paragraph 2.18 Separation of Combustible Materials from fireplaces and flues)

“Combustible material should not be located where it could be ignited by the heat dissipated through the walls of fireplaces or flues”.

Compliance with Approved Document J of the Building Regulations requires that any work carried out on an appliance or chimney is notifiable to the local authority (usually via the HETAS compliance certificate). A material change of any part of the combustion system (appliance or chimney) will require the complete combustion system to be brought into compliance with current Building Regulations. When buying a property, make sure any compliance certificate is available and current before lighting the fire.