Gas fire in dry-lined wall

[Andy Parker]

I want to have a gas fire fitted to an existing flue in an external external wall which I need to dry-line (3x2 studs, rockwool fill and plasterboard) - Oh tyhe joys of a 300 year old building and modern building regs! Any idea how big a gap I need to leave in the studding (I assume there is a reg about proximity of fire to combustible materials) so that I can do the studding before inviting the nice Corgi man to come and relieve me of lots of money.

Cheers Andy Parker Ulverston, Cumbria, England [e-mail]

[Ed Sirett]

It would depend on the type and possile the specific model you intend to fit. If you can avoid drylining the front of the chimney brest then AISI the problem won't occur.

[The Natural Philosopher]

You will almost certainly be REQUIRED to fit a double insulated flue inside the existing chimney.

That is the sort of flue you can run inside a house completely which is only warm to the touch outside (the flue).

They are expensive but very very safe.

If the chimney is pre 1967 I think, you may line with a flexible liner.

Regulations further say you need some form of non combustible hearth, but check with building control - because messing with this sort of thing is one area where I am totally in support of current building regs. Don't trust a Corgi. They have a vested interest in expensive solutions and innate lack of intelligence. Get the BCO on the phone and ask him. If you ask before doing, mostly they are very helpful people, even down to 'If you made me officially inspect that I would have to have it changed, but since I only popped in for a chat...'