Please give your solid fuel stoves some respect.

[Leni]

Yes Martin, we are still giving these serious thought, possibly fire retardant material.

 

 

I have a curtain over the door which is nearer to the stove than I really like - although not as near as yours, Ray - so I bought some fire retardant fabric spray and sprayed it thoroughly. (I have even thought about spraying all the curtains in the boat with it, in fact!)

 

The spray doesn't smell or mark the curtain fabric in any way. I presume it will need regular re-spraying, certainly if the curtains are washed or dry-cleaned. I admit I drew the line at setting fire to a piece of curtain fabric to see if it worked, just assuming it 'does what it says on the tin', trusting fool that I am! Has anyone else tried it?

[Richard T]

Thanks Rob for reminding me of the dangers of solid fuel stoves. I've sent links of it to my fellow boat sharers and as we had our AGM last night spent some time going over the issues raised in this thread. Please keep posting threads like this every few months - it serves as a reminder to all of us.

Richard T

[Doorman]

I think burning off insulation is streng verboten these day, but I've heard the explosions you refer to, several times, from at least a mile from the scrapyard. I was told that it's when an acetylene cylinder goes through the crusher. The plant has to be shut down for several hours afterwards for repairs.

 

Tim

 

Hi Tim,

 

There are many things that are strictly forbidden these days and many people who care to ignore this fact. From what experience I've had with scrap yards and dealers, they appear to be in some sort of exclusion zone when it comes to rules and regulations.

 

Mike

 

 

 

I hear what you say Ray, but those curtains would concern me..

And me too!

 

 

 

ETA With regard to the dangers of chip pans and stoves, I can only concur. When Mrs Doorman spotted that I'd posted photo's of our stove without tidying it first, she almost clobbered me with our chip pan!

Edited January 24, 2012 by Doorman

[Timleech]

Hi Tim,

 

There are many things that are strictly forbidden these days and many people who care to ignore this fact. From what experience I've had with scrap yards and dealers, they appear to be in some sort of exclusion zone when it comes to rules and regulations.

 

Mike

 

 

 

That may well be true for a lot of the trade, especially the smaller yards, but the explosions I've heard have almost certainly come from Nortons, who are large scale scrap processors, bringing in a steady stream of waggon loads from around the country for processing & export. I don't think they're likely to be involved in stuff like burning off insulation. I could be wrong, though.

 

Tim

[Doorman]

That may well be true for a lot of the trade, especially the smaller yards, but the explosions I've heard have almost certainly come from Nortons, who are large scale scrap processors, bringing in a steady stream of waggon loads from around the country for processing & export. I don't think they're likely to be involved in stuff like burning off insulation. I could be wrong, though.

 

Tim

 

If it's Nortons I think you're probably right. They are a large outfit and I wouldn't really expect them to sail too closely to the wind. Although if the explosions are at their site, whether from acetylene bottles or LPG, they need to adjust their Risk Assessment rationale sooner than later.

 

Mike

[Rob@BSSOffice]

ETA With regard to the dangers of chip pans and stoves, I can only concur. When Mrs Doorman spotted that I'd posted photo's of our stove without tidying it first, she almost clobbered me with our chip pan!

 

Ah the hidden dangers too!

Loved your post!

[lexicon]

Always good to read these cautionary topics as gives those of us planning installions food for thought.

 

I am wondering if an insulated set up of flue, collar and chimney would reduce risk of things around flue getting too hot ?

 

I have a wooden roof and plan on using master board/similar fire board to line the section around fire and flue with tiles over.

 

Would that be safe with a insulated set up ?

[BlueStringPudding]

I have a curtain over the door which is nearer to the stove than I really like - although not as near as yours, Ray - so I bought some fire retardant fabric spray and sprayed it thoroughly. (I have even thought about spraying all the curtains in the boat with it, in fact!)

 

The spray doesn't smell or mark the curtain fabric in any way. I presume it will need regular re-spraying, certainly if the curtains are washed or dry-cleaned. I admit I drew the line at setting fire to a piece of curtain fabric to see if it worked, just assuming it 'does what it says on the tin', trusting fool that I am! Has anyone else tried it?

Something similar is used on stage to ensure set and sometimes costume is not readily combustible. Flambar / Flamecheck. However the test it has to pass is only to have a flame up against it for a very short period of time (it may be seconds rather than minutes). If the stuff you've used is similar and gusting winds blow the curtains into the stove or flue, or burning wood spits, or the curtain rail falls down (all fairly unlikely but you never know) your version of Flambar may only resist burning for a very short time.

[blackrose]

I have a curtain over the door which is nearer to the stove than I really like - although not as near as yours, Ray - so I bought some fire retardant fabric spray and sprayed it thoroughly. (I have even thought about spraying all the curtains in the boat with it, in fact!)

 

The spray doesn't smell or mark the curtain fabric in any way. I presume it will need regular re-spraying, certainly if the curtains are washed or dry-cleaned. I admit I drew the line at setting fire to a piece of curtain fabric to see if it worked, just assuming it 'does what it says on the tin', trusting fool that I am! Has anyone else tried it?

 

Bear in mind that fire retardant doesn't mean fire proof. It just means that ignition temperature is greater and the ingnition time is retarded.

 

Edit: Sorry I just saw Stringy's post above which is more or less saying the same thing.

Edited January 24, 2012 by blackrose

[Ray T]

The front curtains on CF are not actually as close as they look on the photograph.

 

One thought we have had is to have one long curtain, drawing from the opposite side to the fire, instead of two. This would mean the curtain would only be in proximity to the flue at night when we are on the boat.

 

As mentioned before we do not let the fire burn at night when we are asleep.

 

We are open to ideas though (sensible ones please, knowing what this forum can be like)!

[blackrose]

Always good to read these cautionary topics as gives those of us planning installions food for thought.

 

I am wondering if an insulated set up of flue, collar and chimney would reduce risk of things around flue getting too hot ?

 

I have a wooden roof and plan on using master board/similar fire board to line the section around fire and flue with tiles over.

 

Would that be safe with a insulated set up ?

 

I don't know much about wooden tops, but since flammable materials aren't supposed to come within a certain distance of a flue, then using an insulated flue sounds like a good idea. I'd still put it through a cast iron deck collar - if you can find one big enough for your insulated flue? I don't think you really need to use an insulated chimney too. Unlike the underside of the cabin top at least you can see what's happening on the roof (whether it's getting scorched).

 

What do other wooden top owners do?

Edited January 24, 2012 by blackrose

[Chertsey]

I think burning off insulation is streng verboten these day, but I've heard the explosions you refer to, several times, from at least a mile from the scrapyard. I was told that it's when an acetylene cylinder goes through the crusher. The plant has to be shut down for several hours afterwards for repairs.

 

Tim

Or a car whose petrol tank hasn't been drained?

[bizzard]

The front curtains on CF are not actually as close as they look on the photograph.

 

One thought we have had is to have one long curtain, drawing from the opposite side to the fire, instead of two. This would mean the curtain would only be in proximity to the flue at night when we are on the boat.

 

As mentioned before we do not let the fire burn at night when we are asleep.

 

We are open to ideas though (sensible ones please, knowing what this forum can be like)!

Now let me see.

[Ray T]

Now let me see.

 

 

Go on, you know you want to.......................

[bizzard]

Now let me see.

Got it . Make all curtains in hot and firey locations out of old fire blankets,which could be dyed the colour of your choice too.

[Ray T]

Got it . Make all curtains in hot and firey locations out of old fire blankets,which could be dyed the colour of your choice too.

 

Got me thinking, might not be such a silly idea, thank you.

[bizzard]

Got me thinking, might not be such a silly idea, thank you.

It would need some clever hemming to prevent it from falling to bits,like erm blanket stitch.

[Doorman]

Flambar may only resist burning for a very short time.

 

I think Miss Haversham of Great Expectations fame will agree with that!

[daveanj]

The boat in Macclesfield is a member of this forum my boat is moored 3 boats up from his he was lucky to escape with his life but lost everything laptop phone camera even his only pair of glasses all his clothes as it was his home he is only 25 and been living aboard for 3 years the only problem is he wasn't insured there are about 10 moorers there 6 who live aboard we had a bit of a whip round for him and raised over £200 if only to get him new glasses as he cant see a thing without them here is what the local paper said

A barge owner who lost his home and all his belongings after a blaze tore through his boat says the fire was ‘God’s will’. John Eastwood, 24, says he’s lucky to be alive after waking up to the fire and fleeing barefoot before grabbing fire extinguishers. He burned his ear as he battled the blaze from outside but as the heat intensified, he knew he had to give up and let the flames engulf his floating home. Despite his ordeal, the devoted Christian, who has been given shoes by his church, says the fire was meant to be – and has vowed to rebuild. He said: “It’s divine intervention. “It was my home and it is sad, but I’m not a very emotional person and have dealt with crises before.A regular at Trinity Church in Buxton, he added: “I’ve been very laid back about it and that’s because I’m a Christian and know that everything happens for my good in some way. “I’ve had 10 offers of somewhere to stay and been given so many things I have more clothes now than I did before.” Mr Eastwood had finished a shift at Stormguard at Regency Mill where he works as a stock controller, before returning home for a nap at his moorings near the Puss in Boots pub. He said: “I lit the coal-burning stove next to my bed and fell asleep, but I didn’t close the vents on the ash guard like I usually would. A piece of coal must have dropped down, bounced on to the hearth and across the floor to light the bag of coal. “I just saw flames and knew I had to get off.” After battling the fire, he realised it had spread too far so John switched off its gas supply before moving away from the blaze. A passer-by had called the fire service but in just a few minutes the whole boat was on fire. Fire crews from Macclesfield and Bollington hosed the fire from the bridge on Buxton Road using canal water. All Mr Eastwood’s possessions burned in the fire and he has no insurance. He had lived on the 31ft boat for three years before mooring it in Macclesfield in 2004. He bought it for £7,500 and spent £2,500 kitting it out. He has taken the boat on trips including the 97-mile Cheshire Ring. Now he’ll take the barge to a boatyard to rebuild the steel cabin before moving back in or buying a house. In the meantime he will continue to stay with friends in Buxton. He said: “I’ve not panicked because I trust God I will be OK.

[Guest]

Hope you don't mind - it's just hard to read as it is, and it's an interesting post.

 

 

 

 

The boat in Macclesfield is a member of this forum my boat is moored 3 boats up from his he was lucky to escape with his life, but lost everything, laptop phone camera even his only pair of glasses and all his clothes as it was his home.

 

He is only 25 and been living aboard for 3 years the only problem is he wasn't insured. There are about 10 moorers there 6 who live aboard we had a bit of a whip round for him and raised over £200, if only to get him new glasses as he cant see a thing without them.

 

- here is what the local paper said

 

A barge owner who lost his home and all his belongings after a blaze tore through his boat says the fire was ‘God’s will’. John Eastwood, 24, says he’s lucky to be alive after waking up to the fire and fleeing barefoot before grabbing fire extinguishers.

 

He burned his ear as he battled the blaze from outside but as the heat intensified, he knew he had to give up and let the flames engulf his floating home.

 

Despite his ordeal, the devoted Christian, who has been given shoes by his church, says the fire was meant to be – and has vowed to rebuild. He said: “It’s divine intervention. “It was my home and it is sad, but I’m not a very emotional person and have dealt with crises before.

 

A regular at Trinity Church in Buxton, he added: “I’ve been very laid back about it and that’s because I’m a Christian and know that everything happens for my good in some way. “I’ve had 10 offers of somewhere to stay and been given so many things I have more clothes now than I did before.”

 

Mr Eastwood had finished a shift at Stormguard at Regency Mill where he works as a stock controller, before returning home for a nap at his moorings near the Puss in Boots pub. He said: “I lit the coal-burning stove next to my bed and fell asleep, but I didn’t close the vents on the ash guard like I usually would. A piece of coal must have dropped down, bounced on to the hearth and across the floor to light the bag of coal. “I just saw flames and knew I had to get off.”

 

After battling the fire, he realised it had spread too far so John switched off its gas supply before moving away from the blaze. A passer-by had called the fire service but in just a few minutes the whole boat was on fire.

 

Fire crews from Macclesfield and Bollington hosed the fire from the bridge on Buxton Road using canal water. All Mr Eastwood’s possessions burned in the fire and he has no insurance. He had lived on the 31ft boat for three years before mooring it in Macclesfield in 2004.

 

He bought it for £7,500 and spent £2,500 kitting it out. He has taken the boat on trips including the 97-mile Cheshire Ring. Now he’ll take the barge to a boatyard to rebuild the steel cabin before moving back in or buying a house. In the meantime he will continue to stay with friends in Buxton. He said: “I’ve not panicked because I trust God I will be OK.

[daveanj]

That is not a problem I just copied and pasted the article from the Macclesfield web site the owners name on the forum is estwdjhn i think he should be back on line very soon and he does have access to a computer where he is staying cheers Dave

[Amy&Ian]

Just to add our experiences for the benefit of anyone building their fire surrounds for the first time.

Don't just rely on a piece of fireboard to do the trick!

We have recently replaced the stove on our barge. The old stove had a reflective metal backing, over a sheet of fireboard, then the fireboard over a piece of ply. The ply had a massive, singed black scorch mark where the heat from the stove had passed through the fireboard!

It was a real eye opener for us, our new stove is surrounded by double sheets of fireboard with an airgap, the exposed board will be tiled very shortly.

It does feel a little like safety over-kill but I'd rather that than risk losing our boat or our lives to a fire.

[Kae]

I've seen this recommended in other threads: http://www.mslfirecheck.com/

 

Food for thought and even though Dili has just passed the BSC, I'll definitely check the stove surrounds for scorching!

[waterworks]

edited

Edited February 12, 2013 by waterworks

[Wild Is The Wind]

I am sure I posted mine at the time, but can not find the pics, but it was a fire not not scorched wood will have another look.

 

http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=51779&st=0&p=968529&fromsearch=1entry968529

 

this link may or may not work