Reminder on solid fuel fires in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire County Council housing tenants who have solid fuel fires are being reminded of their responsibility to keep the fires maintained.
Solid fuel fires, often referred to as stoves or log-burners, use seasoned wood or coal to provide heating.
Around 200 council properties currently have solid fuel fires, which are regularly serviced and maintained by the council’s Property Services department.
Although council staff and operatives sweep chimneys and service the fires and flues to ensure they are in good working order, they are also reiterating their general maintenance advice to tenants.
A bilingual information leaflet is available to all tenants with solid fuel fires.
As well as maintenance advice, it warns about the seriousness of carbon monoxide and tells the tenant what to do if they smell fumes or fell unusually faint or suffering headaches.
Maintenance advice includes asking tenants to ensure that the fire’s throat plate and boiler flue is cleaned every 14 days as a matter of routine, and also after heavy rain or strong winds as soot and dust can fall and cause blockages.
Other guidance offered includes the daily emptying of ash pans, using well seasoned and dry logs and keeping room ventilators open, as the fires require fresh air to burn safely.
Services manager Len Davies said: “We carry out bi-annual maintenance of all solid fuel appliances, but such appliances do require regular attention by the tenant to ensure they are working safely.
“It is important that tenants heed such advice, and if they are having difficulty we ask that they let us know so that we can provide the necessary assistance.”
The leaflet also reiterates the importance of allowing the council’s staff and approved contractors to have access to homes to undertake scheduled maintenance.
It causes concern when such appointments are missed or cancelled as it may result in potentially dangerous faults or maintenance requirements being left un-identified.
Tenants are asked to let the council know as far in advance as possible if appointments need to be re-scheduled.
Cllr Hugh Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing and Property Services, said: “We must not underestimate the importance of regular maintenance and servicing where solid fuel fires are concerned. Carbon monoxide is deadly, and we must take all the steps necessary to keep such appliances working safely.”
For maintenance advice, to request a repair or re-schedule a servicing appointment, please call 0800 0851 233.
Solid fuel fires, often referred to as stoves or log-burners, use seasoned wood or coal to provide heating.
Around 200 council properties currently have solid fuel fires, which are regularly serviced and maintained by the council’s Property Services department.
Although council staff and operatives sweep chimneys and service the fires and flues to ensure they are in good working order, they are also reiterating their general maintenance advice to tenants.
A bilingual information leaflet is available to all tenants with solid fuel fires.
As well as maintenance advice, it warns about the seriousness of carbon monoxide and tells the tenant what to do if they smell fumes or fell unusually faint or suffering headaches.
Maintenance advice includes asking tenants to ensure that the fire’s throat plate and boiler flue is cleaned every 14 days as a matter of routine, and also after heavy rain or strong winds as soot and dust can fall and cause blockages.
Other guidance offered includes the daily emptying of ash pans, using well seasoned and dry logs and keeping room ventilators open, as the fires require fresh air to burn safely.
Services manager Len Davies said: “We carry out bi-annual maintenance of all solid fuel appliances, but such appliances do require regular attention by the tenant to ensure they are working safely.
“It is important that tenants heed such advice, and if they are having difficulty we ask that they let us know so that we can provide the necessary assistance.”
The leaflet also reiterates the importance of allowing the council’s staff and approved contractors to have access to homes to undertake scheduled maintenance.
It causes concern when such appointments are missed or cancelled as it may result in potentially dangerous faults or maintenance requirements being left un-identified.
Tenants are asked to let the council know as far in advance as possible if appointments need to be re-scheduled.
Cllr Hugh Evans, Executive Board Member for Housing and Property Services, said: “We must not underestimate the importance of regular maintenance and servicing where solid fuel fires are concerned. Carbon monoxide is deadly, and we must take all the steps necessary to keep such appliances working safely.”
For maintenance advice, to request a repair or re-schedule a servicing appointment, please call 0800 0851 233.
Comments