I have two gas open fires on the ground floor of a c1900 2-bed terraced
house in Hove; one of which I wish to convert back to coal.

Rather than launch into a lengthy explanation this is what I have:
http://www.sweller.co.uk/fireplace/

I'm rather hoping it's a simple case of replacing the gas-flue 'chimney';
removing the gas fittings and then installing a new damper and ashpan.

Is this possible, easily?  How much is this likely to cost me
(particularly having the chimney pot sorted)?

-- 
Simon

"sweller"  wrote in message 
news:xn0e7fdbn85brl001@news.individual.net...

>I have two gas open fires on the ground floor of a c1900 2-bed terraced
> house in Hove; one of which I wish to convert back to coal.
>
> Rather than launch into a lengthy explanation this is what I have:
> http://www.sweller.co.uk/fireplace/
>


Strictly speaking you'll need a safety certificate from the council before 
you can start using an open fire.  A registered chimney sweep (yes, they 
still exist...) can do you an inspection and give you an idea of what's 
involved.  You might get most of the information you need by just ringing 
one up and booking an appointment.

-- 
simonk

"simonk" <simonk@simonk.invalid> wrote in message
news:3p7dn7F900viU1@individual.net...

>
> "sweller"  wrote in message
> news:xn0e7fdbn85brl001@news.individual.net...
> >I have two gas open fires on the ground floor of a c1900 2-bed terraced
> > house in Hove; one of which I wish to convert back to coal.
> >
> > Rather than launch into a lengthy explanation this is what I have:
> > http://www.sweller.co.uk/fireplace/
> >
>
> Strictly speaking you'll need a safety certificate from the council before
> you can start using an open fire.  A registered chimney sweep (yes, they
> still exist...) can do you an inspection and give you an idea of what's
> involved.  You might get most of the information you need by just ringing
> one up and booking an appointment.
>


Just remember to be careful though. I have a real fire and it gets bloody
hot. Hot enough to burn you.

flash wrote:


>>> I have two gas open fires on the ground floor of a c1900 2-bed
>>> terraced house in Hove; one of which I wish to convert back to coal.

> Just remember to be careful though. I have a real fire and it gets
> bloody hot. Hot enough to burn you.


Does the smoke seep through the upstairs walls and make your bedroom smell?

-- 
Kev

"Kevin Stone"  wrote in message
news:3p7ealF8r537U1@individual.net...

> flash wrote:
>
> >>> I have two gas open fires on the ground floor of a c1900 2-bed
> >>> terraced house in Hove; one of which I wish to convert back to coal.
>
> > Just remember to be careful though. I have a real fire and it gets
> > bloody hot. Hot enough to burn you.
>
> Does the smoke seep through the upstairs walls and make your bedroom
smell?
>

Nope, but after making a lot of fires, the fireplace becomes blocked with a
stange ash-like substance and you have to build a new fireplace slightly to
one side of the now defunct one.

flash wrote:


> > > Rather than launch into a lengthy explanation this is what I have:
> > > http://www.sweller.co.uk/fireplace/
> > 
> > Strictly speaking you'll need a safety certificate from the council
> > before you can start using an open fire.  A registered chimney sweep
> > (yes, they still exist...) can do you an inspection and give you an
> > idea of what's involved.  You might get most of the information you
> > need by just ringing one up and booking an appointment.
> 
> Just remember to be careful though. I have a real fire and it gets
> bloody hot. Hot enough to burn you.


I'm aware of that.  This is the first house I've had without solid fuel.

Not so sure about the safety certificate from the council as I've never
had one before; the coal merchants never had anything up about it in the
past and they were pretty hot (ho ho) on safety type stuff.

-- 
Simon

"sweller"  wrote in message 
news:xn0e7fdy191rf2000@news.individual.net...


> Not so sure about the safety certificate from the council as I've never
> had one before; the coal merchants never had anything up about it in the
> past and they were pretty hot (ho ho) on safety type stuff.


I don't think anyone will refuse to sell you coal (especially when you can 
pick it up from the petrol station) - but when I bought my fire the chap in 
the shop reckoned he had to write "for decorative purposes only" on the 
invoice because I didn't have a certificate.  I knew that the previous 
owners had had a fire going, so just checked for a good draw with a 
snuffed-out candle

-- 
simonk

simonk wrote:

> "sweller" wrote...
>>Not so sure about the safety certificate from the council as I've never
>>had one before; the coal merchants never had anything up about it in the
>>past and they were pretty hot (ho ho) on safety type stuff.
> 
> I don't think anyone will refuse to sell you coal (especially when you can 
> pick it up from the petrol station) - but when I bought my fire the chap in 
> the shop reckoned he had to write "for decorative purposes only" on the 
> invoice because I didn't have a certificate.  I knew that the previous 
> owners had had a fire going, so just checked for a good draw with a 
> snuffed-out candle


I've never heard off this "safety certificate" malarky; I've just
ordered 3 tons of anthracite, and nothing was said then either. I
don't believe in council "safety certificated".

"simonk" <simonk@simonk.invalid> wrote:


>
>"sweller"  wrote in message 
>news:xn0e7fdbn85brl001@news.individual.net...
>>I have two gas open fires on the ground floor of a c1900 2-bed terraced
>> house in Hove; one of which I wish to convert back to coal.
>>
>> Rather than launch into a lengthy explanation this is what I have:
>> http://www.sweller.co.uk/fireplace/
>>
>
>Strictly speaking you'll need a safety certificate from the council before 
>you can start using an open fire.  


Have you got a source for that info?



--

simonk wrote:


> I don't think anyone will refuse to sell you coal (especially when you
> can pick it up from the petrol station) - but when I bought my fire the
> chap in the shop reckoned he had to write "for decorative purposes
> only" on the invoice because I didn't have a certificate.


He was either having you on or he hadn't a clue.  I suspect the latter.

-- 
Simon

"Matt"  wrote in message 
news:mf9ti1t4p2bjd6an84sraotdjlsi6lgleu@4ax.com...

> "simonk" <simonk@simonk.invalid> wrote:

>>Strictly speaking you'll need a safety certificate from the council before
>>you can start using an open fire.
>
> Have you got a source for that info?


"The fire shop in Chiswick"

-- 
simonk

"ogden"  wrote in message news:432ED1AF.69BD7D4C@pre.org...

> simonk wrote:
>>
>> "Matt"  wrote in message
>> news:mf9ti1t4p2bjd6an84sraotdjlsi6lgleu@4ax.com...
>> > "simonk" <simonk@simonk.invalid> wrote:
>>
>> >>Strictly speaking you'll need a safety certificate from the council 
>> >>before
>> >>you can start using an open fire.
>> >
>> > Have you got a source for that info?
>>
>> "The fire shop in Chiswick"
>
> "Downstairs at Robert Dyas" ?


"here"

http://www.edwardianfires.com/

-- 
simonk

sweller  wrote:


> I have two gas open fires on the ground floor of a c1900 2-bed terraced
> house in Hove; one of which I wish to convert back to coal.
> 
> Rather than launch into a lengthy explanation this is what I have:
> http://www.sweller.co.uk/fireplace/
> 
> I'm rather hoping it's a simple case of replacing the gas-flue 'chimney';
> removing the gas fittings and then installing a new damper and ashpan.


I did this ~8 years ago when I moved here.
I paid a plumber /gas fitter around 25 to disconnect the old gas
fire/seal the pipe.
The gas fire was then removed (dead easy, nothing to it), leaving the
the old, filled in fireplace showing.
Numerous bricks and filling had been put in behind the gas fire.
It was a back boiler as well, so the old pipes were removed, what helped
was that we had a new boiler fitted in a different place before I
started on the fireplace.
All the bricks/mortar/filling was removed to leave the remains of the
old fireplace, which was just a square hole in the wall really.
I then pulled out the gas flue liner, which was mortared in at the top
of the chimney pot.10 minutes on the roof chipping away at the mortar,
and the flue was free.It came out remarkably easy.
I then got a chimney sweep round to inspect it, and see if it was smoke
tight/usable.I wasnt there when he came, but apparently he was there for
around 2 hours, setting off flares in the fireplace then running out to
go to the chimney pot to look down, then rushing down to look up
etc.Around 50 iirc.
Once this was done, I had to rebuild the fireback.These are only 20ish,
but you'll likely need a few firebricks as well to stand it on.Once you
have it sited, you filled in the back of it with a lime based filler
iirc, then work you way up with fire cement to blend the fireback to the
chimney, and the front of your fireplace - in my case an old cast iron
surround.
Thats about it.At the time, I was referencing an excellent book from the
library, which goes into intimate detail on how to rebuild the
fireplace, cant remember the name, but there are a few listed on Amazon.
For the hearth, I used 3  2' x 2" slabs, toppped with ceramic tiles, I
was a bit worried that standard ceramic tiles wouldnt be up to the job,
but on seeing the price of the 'proper' fire tiles, I thought I'd try
std. tiles, and they have proved very good - still the originals after 8
years.
I have got a load of pics somewhere of various stages of rebuilding, if
you want a look, follow up and I'll get them scanned.
Alan.


-- 
To reply by e-mail, change the ' + ' to 'plus'.
http://www.dvatc.co.uk - Off-road cycling in the North Midlands.

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember "sweller"
 saying something like:


>I'm rather hoping it's a simple case of replacing the gas-flue 'chimney';
>removing the gas fittings and then installing a new damper and ashpan.
>
>Is this possible, easily?  How much is this likely to cost me
>(particularly having the chimney pot sorted)?


You'd need to check the old chimchimiroo for soundness and leaktightness
anyway, so you might need a liner suitable for solid fuel. That might
not be cheap to have done.

-- 

Dave

GS850 x2 XS650SE / SE 6a

We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
drugs began to take hold. I remember "Kevin Stone"
 saying something like:


>Does the smoke seep through the upstairs walls and make your bedroom smell?


Well?

-- 

Dave

GS850 x2 XS650SE / SE 6a

In message , flash  
writes

>
>"simonk" <simonk@simonk.invalid> wrote in message
>news:3p7dn7F900viU1@individual.net...
>>
>> "sweller"  wrote in message
>> news:xn0e7fdbn85brl001@news.individual.net...
>> >I have two gas open fires on the ground floor of a c1900 2-bed terraced
>> > house in Hove; one of which I wish to convert back to coal.
>> >
>> > Rather than launch into a lengthy explanation this is what I have:
>> > http://www.sweller.co.uk/fireplace/
>> >
>>
>> Strictly speaking you'll need a safety certificate from the council before
>> you can start using an open fire.  A registered chimney sweep (yes, they
>> still exist...) can do you an inspection and give you an idea of what's
>> involved.  You might get most of the information you need by just ringing
>> one up and booking an appointment.
>>
>
>Just remember to be careful though. I have a real fire and it gets bloody
>hot. Hot enough to burn you.
>

No, really ?

-- 
geoff

A.Lee wrote:


> > Rather than launch into a lengthy explanation this is what I have:
> > http://www.sweller.co.uk/fireplace/

> The gas fire was then removed (dead easy, nothing to it), leaving the
> the old, filled in fireplace showing.
> Numerous bricks and filling had been put in behind the gas fire.
> It was a back boiler as well, so the old pipes were removed, what helped
> was that we had a new boiler fitted in a different place before I
> started on the fireplace.


Thanks for that but my situation is slightly different as the fireplace,
grate and surround is all in place, see the pics in the above link.

I wondered about the feasibility of converting the old and disconnected
gas effect open fire (as opposed to a trad. gas fire) to an open solid
fuel fire.

The chimney seems to be open without any special liners but is capped
with a metal vent; how difficult/expensive to replace it with a solid
fuel chimney pot?

-- 
Simon

sweller wrote:

>>>Rather than launch into a lengthy explanation this is what I have:
>>>http://www.sweller.co.uk/fireplace/
>> [ snip ]
> Thanks for that but my situation is slightly different as the fireplace,
> grate and surround is all in place, see the pics in the above link.
> 
> I wondered about the feasibility of converting the old and disconnected
> gas effect open fire (as opposed to a trad. gas fire) to an open solid
> fuel fire.
> 
> The chimney seems to be open without any special liners but is capped
> with a metal vent; how difficult/expensive to replace it with a solid
> fuel chimney pot?


I've been at it again, so excuse the rambling:

You'll need to do something about the hearth. No-one will know,
but iy ought to be 2" thick of non-combustible stuff. That might
be what you've got, it's lbooyd hard to see, & I may be confusing
it with that other blokes. Ah, maybe I'm wrong, where does that
pssing gas pipe go? Somebody's knocked off a big chunk of hearth.
Hearthless abstrads. Like the tiles. Are the firebricks for the=
gas, or for solid fuel? I can't work out how the gas fire exhaust
was dealt with, did it just go straight uop the chimney? In this
day & age that wouldn't be on, nor for ages ago. You should have
found a crinkly tube s/s liner, if not, I dunno why. It should
connect with the metal (or maybe asbestos cement) terminal on your
chimney stack. Hm. I guess there wasn't one, if not the flue's OK
as you haven't gone tts up due to CO poisoning. The top needs
sorting out, your house had two fires d/stairs, two u/stairs, I
recon - is there another gas fire? Anyway, the terminal will need 
getting off, no big deal, it seems that the stack's got reasonable
pointing, but it's a semi or something, what ewill your neighbousr
say? Lever it off, tap tap tap with hammer & chisel, anyway, a
pot from Jewson's isn't dear, match next doors or go for a tall
thin one. Bed it on slate before flaunching it in if it's too
small for the hole & might fall down. If it needs lining, this
is a PITA with clay sections, but not too bad. Anyway, that's the
top. There's a lot of gubbins on that stack. You'll have to mend
that bit where the gas puipe's been put in, go to a fireplace
shop tyhat sells the "Gallery" range, look at their miock-ups,
or visit someone who's still using theirs. Has it got all the
bits? Looks fairly promising. You could also go to an "antique"
shoppe that sells these old things ("Gallery" are repro., but
good repro. is *good*). Where';s all that crap come from that's
at the back of the throat? That'll want mucking up with lime
mortar, let it dry before having za couple of minor burns in
it, progress from there. Did you ask about the cost of putting
a pot on? Not a lot, there's no skill - *except* access to the
job, you don't want a hairy asred sbd trampling all over your
slates. Is it all there? That's still a bit of a worrt. If it
*is*, it's quite easy to deal with, just tidy it up, put a
pot on, ^ off you go. Any more pics. might be useful, I will
look again when I sober uop a bit tomorrow. Oh, roughly where
aRe you?

Chris Bacon  wrote:


> 
> I've been at it again, so excuse the rambling:


<snip>

Here's a present for you

*Paragraph*


-- 
Trophy 1200 750SS TR65 GPz550 CB400F CD200 CB125S DT50MX
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06 YTC#3
BOF#30 WUSS#5  The bells, the bells.....

The Older Gentleman wrote:

> Here's a present for you
> 
> *Paragraph*


Cough, in the nicesdt possible manner. Night nhight.

Grimly Curmudgeon wrote:


> We were somewhere around Barstow, on the edge of the desert, when the
> drugs began to take hold. I remember "Kevin Stone"
>  saying something like:
> 
> > Does the smoke seep through the upstairs walls and make your
> > bedroom smell?
> 
> Well?


No, that's a deep hole in the ground, usually with water in it.

-- 
Christofire        DIAABTCOD#1           Daytona 955i
TPPFAUICG#69BONY#10MIRTTH#7IMANASS#2SbS#20BOTAFOT#117
BOMB#15      "But..he looks so *innocent*"     HYPO#2
  Full throttle for 55 minutes - a hell of a buzz.

"sweller"  wrote in message 
news:xn0e7fw3wl800000@news.individual.net...

> A.Lee wrote:
>
>> > Rather than launch into a lengthy explanation this is what I have:
>> > http://www.sweller.co.uk/fireplace/
>
>> The gas fire was then removed (dead easy, nothing to it), leaving the
>> the old, filled in fireplace showing.
>> Numerous bricks and filling had been put in behind the gas fire.
>> It was a back boiler as well, so the old pipes were removed, what helped
>> was that we had a new boiler fitted in a different place before I
>> started on the fireplace.
>
> Thanks for that but my situation is slightly different as the fireplace,
> grate and surround is all in place, see the pics in the above link.
>
> I wondered about the feasibility of converting the old and disconnected
> gas effect open fire (as opposed to a trad. gas fire) to an open solid
> fuel fire.
>
> The chimney seems to be open without any special liners but is capped
> with a metal vent; how difficult/expensive to replace it with a solid
> fuel chimney pot?
>
> -- 
> Simon


To add to what others have said ...

We recently had a coal fire installed (nothing there previously but a 
bricked up hole). The hearth needs to be a "coal suitable one". Needs at 
least one "seem" in it to allow for minute expansion, plus needs to be 
filled in/solid.  We picked a tiled hearth, they sent the wrong one, it was 
for gas. The "gas" one was one long piece of tile/granite (whatever) about 3 
inches tall (54 inches wide and 15 inches deep), and was hollow ie there was 
2.5 inches of air gap (this is a terrible description I know).

Anyway, spoke to vendor, and asked if this would do (was a pain to get it 
delivered you see), and they were adamant that it would only last 6-12 
months and would eventually crack as it wasn't meant to withstand the heat 
of a coal fire. So vendor took it back and sent the correct "coal one" 
(vendor paid carriage). The correct one was same size, but was made of 3 
pieces of tile instead of one long continuous one and there as no air gap 
underneath, it was filled in with mortar.

The bit behind your fake gas coals, is that really likely to be suitable for 
a coal fire ? (ie fireproof brick things and cement) ? Although you might 
still get away with simply scraping that bit out and putting in the right 
stuff.

Do you have a local builder who knows about fires who could take a look at 
it ?

Ours came round, looked up the chimney and said "looks ok". But, we did know 
the fire had been used in the recent past as a coal fire (it was us that 
bricked it up).

Cheers.