Government legislation on burning 'wet' wood

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Government legislation on burning 'wet' wood
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Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15998

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 20 8:06 am Post subject:

The stuff that come directly from sawmills may be green or seasoned, depending on what they cut. There is no restriction on burning green wood, apart from the possible problem of neighbours complaining to local health people.

We will have to see how it goes, but it will depend on the precise wording and also may affect our outlets for log sacks, if they put in the regulations they were proposing. To manage this we would have to register (several hundred pounds) plus about £100 a year plus find covered storage, plus buy a moisture meter which would have to be calibrated at least every year. We would not be allowed to sell less than 2 cu m for people to season themselves, and as some like to buy 1 cu m in summer and season for winter, it would affect them. Our outlets may also need to register, and they are hardly going to want to both pay to register and prove they have dry storage, so be prepared for plastic bagged logs only available if you want a lot sack.

It appears that the government data did not get vetted by the Office of National Statistics, so the National Statistician, may be nailing someones tie to their desk and having a rant at them at some point. I do hope so.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 20 3:30 pm Post subject:
"we dont need experts"

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 20 10:20 pm Post subject:
I dare say you have seen this consultation paper Chris,but if not ,here it is,luckily the boy`s still working in the Collieries in the Forest of Dean have managed to get an exemption for their coal. https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/air-quality-using-cleaner-fuels-for-domestic-burning/outcome/summary-of-responses-and-government-response#coal-1

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Sat Feb 22, 20 10:49 pm Post subject:

knowing what we know is that a good thing?

swapping life down a smelly hole for say a breezy forest to make a living with an energy harvest of managed tree wood might appeal to folk with wet boots, a stoop and a fear of tommyknockers(or what ever the local evil mine sprites are called)
similar rules apply regarding procedures and safety so they have transferable skills

happen tis a heritage industry but unless it is a material rather than a fuel leave it in momma

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15998

Posted: Sun Feb 23, 20 9:32 am Post subject:

Yes, thanks Ty Gwyn, I have read that. I am pretty sure a couple of the quotes in it are the ones I put in too. It seems that there are some people who want to get rid of wood burning all together, and they may have a more powerful voice. It seems Small Woods are not exactly being helpful, but I have asked to join their group and will be asking them what their 'simple technology' to dry wood is as they think everyone should be able to get wood down to 20% moisture content.

Currently fuming as it will mean unless there is an ethical and legal way round the actual legislation when it is detailed, we may have to give up firewood and try to make a living on other things such as charcoal, crafts, hedgelaying and fencing. Sadly, so will a lot of other people.

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Sun Feb 23, 20 11:07 am Post subject:

I was shocked to see it posted on the Mining Forum last night as not seen any mention of the consultation anywhere before,when was this taking place.?
Its a headache for you,to store a year`s worth of timber to season takes a lot of space,and not everyone can take the larger loads to season themselves.
The only way I know of to cut down on moisture in timber is to fell in the winter months when the sap is down,as we used to years back when dropping an oak tree for fencing posts.
Well I`m glad the FOD boy`s have obtained an exemption,all the sizes of coal are sold locally in a non smokeless zone.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Sun Feb 23, 20 1:45 pm Post subject:
413.40ppm

RichardW

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 8443
Location: Llyn Peninsular North Wales

Posted: Mon Feb 24, 20 7:34 pm Post subject:
So far this only affects England. Scotland & Wales have not taken this up yet.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Mon Feb 24, 20 7:59 pm Post subject:
that experiment was interesting at the mo the house is warm 2kg of hardwood lump charcoal in a late victorian parlour grate works very well. maybe it burns a bit hot, i could spray it like forge coals but it works a treat. that avoids the smokeless/wet wood issues big style. i have no idea if it is economically viable or what the by-product load might be but at point of use tis practical.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 15998

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 20 8:01 am Post subject:

Ty Gwyn, it came out in 2018. I don't know if it was publicised in the mining press, but we saw it and responded to it. Only house coal is affected; no other grades at the moment, so higher quality coal is allowed. At present this is only going to affect England, as this type of legislation is devolved to Scotland, Wales, and I think Northern Ireland. I can't see it making a lot of difference to the PM2.5 levels quite honestly, and none at all to the other pollutants.

Dpack, go careful with charcoal. It can burn pretty hot, so may damage your grate or fire. A Victorian grate should be all right, but I would also have a CO monitor in the room just in case.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 20 9:58 am Post subject:

i was careful and knocked it down, same as i do when i make charcoal in a woodburner for a flying start for breakfast.

the grate has a refractory hearth and back, the sort with a metal grate might be at risk, i melted one of those with anthracite once i got it going.

i always have CO and smoke alarms, everyone should have, cheap and rather good at saving your life.

it was still going this morning but i did top it up quite late

fluffed up it would be too hot for most grates as you say

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Tue Feb 25, 20 11:27 am Post subject:

Whether it makes much difference is hard to say,but it shows the authorities have been un capable to monitor their smokeless zones,and with the rise in popularity of multi fuel stoves in urban area`s and people burning housecoal on them for cheapness.

Regarding the boy`s in the FOD with their exemption,because of the imminent close of Aberthaw power station,their outlet for small coal/duff,they are stock piling waiting arrival of a briquette machine which will give them an outlet for the duff and an increase in revenue.

Slim

Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6613
Location: New England (In the US of A)

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 20 12:53 am Post subject:
I wouldn't know where to find coal if I wanted to here!

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 20 1:58 am Post subject:
What area of New England are you Slim? Coal deposits mined years back in Newport,Rhode Island.

Slim

Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6613
Location: New England (In the US of A)

Posted: Wed Feb 26, 20 12:49 pm Post subject:
Northern. I can imagine you could mine much of Rhode island before losing Rhode island! (Actually it's all just too populated there to be able to do much of anything outside of suburban living)

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