Log Burner Services
Resources
Canterbury clean air zone map
Is your home in a Canterbury clean air zone? This is important as it will determine what sort of wood burner you can
install to meet your councils compliance. Use the link below to find the clean air zone and check your properties address.
CCC Solid fuel database
The Christchurch City Council have updated some of their records to electronic form. Use can use the link below to check when your log bunrer was consented and when it is due to expire. Not all records have been updated to this format so you may still need to contact the council
Changing smoke alarm regulations.
Below information from Cavius
From November 2023 the Building Code Acceptable Solutions for Protection from Fire (C/AS1 and C/AS2) will be amended to make interconnected smoke alarms the minimum fire safety system for new built homes and substantial renovations, citing NZS 4514:2021 – Interconnected smoke alarms for Houses. The standard allows for wirelessly or hard-wired interconnection, using either 10 year long-life battery-powered or 240v mains powered alarms. The changes will have a 12-month transition period ending in November 2024.
Below are the key points of the changes to the acceptable solutions but it is important that you read the details in the Standards New Zealand – NZS 4514:2021 interconnected smoke alarms for houses document.
KEY POINTS:
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Equipment required must be either 10 year long-life battery-operated (non-removable/sealed) or 240v mains powered, interconnected smoke alarms.
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All smoke alarms must meet compliance standards such as BS EN 14604, AS3786, UL 217, CAN/ULC S531 or ISO 12239.
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Where more than one smoke alarm is needed to meet the requirements of this standard, these alarms shall be interconnected so that when one activates, all smoke alarm devices in the household unit will sound. The interconnection between alarms may be wired or wireless.
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Smoke alarms shall be located in all bedrooms, living spaces, hallways and landings within the building.
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In a multi-level household, there shall be at least one smoke alarm on each level.
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All smoke alarms must have a hush and test button.
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Smoke alarms shall be located on or near the ceiling.
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Where a kitchen or scullery is separated from the living spaces and hallways by doors that can be closed, an alarm specified by its manufacturer as suitable for a kitchen shall be located in the kitchen. This may be a heat alarm to avoid nuisance activations.
The information above is designed as a guide only. There is more information contained in the NZS 4514:2021 interconnected smoke alarms for houses standard.
Good Wood
Soured from
Plantation pine, Douglas fir and blue gum are widely available from Canterbury Good Wood merchants and are the best woods to burn a warmer, cheaper, smoke free fire.
1) Plantation pine
Great for kindling. One of the most common firewoods used throughout Aotearoa New Zealand as it comes from pine plantations and burns very cleanly. Thin compact bark.
Description when split
Smooth grained wood, mostly free of knots, light coloured. Drying time (ready to burn) 1 to 2 years. Moisture content 15-20%
2) Douglas fir/Oregon
Great for kindling. Normally taken from plantations when 25-30 years old. Light smooth bark.
Description when split
Has a distinctive orange centre with a whitish ring towards the bark. Ideal for splitting to make kindling. Very few knots, lightweight. Drying time (ready to burn) 1 to 2 years. Moisture content 15-20%
3) Blue gum
Great for a long burn. In the hardwood category, light-coloured smooth bark. When aged shows radial cracking, which indicates low moisture. Heavier than pine.
Description when split
Light to dark in colour. Normally smooth-grained wood with no knots. Drying time (ready to burn) 5 to 6 years. Moisture content 15-20%.
4) Macrocarpa
Usually cut from farm shelter belts. Similar to old man pine but with thin bark.
Description when split
Brownish dark colour with knots showing and little gum. Heavier than pine. Drying time (ready to burn) 3 to 5 years. Moisture content 15-20%.
5) Tea tree/mānuka
Normally cleared from farmland as scrub. One of our heavier hardwoods. Stringy light bark.
Description when split
Deep brown in colour. Shows small knots. Clean-grained wood. Drying time (ready to burn) 3 to 5 years. Moisture content 15-20%.
6) Pōhutukawa
Grown on coastal properties. Usually only used as firewood from pruning or trees blown over from coastal high winds. Light stringy bark. Heavy in weight.
Description when split
Medium brown with knots present. Drying time (ready to burn) 3 to 5 years. Moisture content 15-20%.
7) Willow
Normally grown on the side of waterways and only used when dead and still standing. In this state, it becomes a light greyish colour, with very thin bark. Can be washed down rivers and end up on beaches and, if found above a high water line, could be used. Very light in weight.
Description when split
Very light in colour. Smooth-grained with no knots or gum. The cleanest of firewood to work with. Drying time (ready to burn) - as it is only used when dead, has extremely low moisture content, and can be used immediately.