6
Mendip 5 wood
Efficiency
%
78.9
output
kW
4.8
CO (at 13 % O
2
)
%
0.43
Flue temperature
ºC
258
Flue mass gas flow
g/s
3.8
Disposal of ashes
The periodic removal of ashes will be required; the time
between de-ashings will be determined by the type of
fuel used and how much the stove is used. Solid fuel
ash will need to be removed more frequently than wood
ash.
When burning solid fuel, allow the fire to burn low or go
out before removing the ash pan using the tool
provided.
When burning wood, allow the fire to go out and cool.
Remove the front grate and remove the ash with a
metal shovel. It is usually advisable to leave a 12.5 mm
(½") layer of ash in the bottom of the combustion
chamber for future lighting.
Ashes should be placed in a non-combustible
container. Before the ashes are disposed of, ensure
they have thoroughly cooled. Ashes may contain
dormant coals, which can burn for several hours after a
recognisable flame has disappeared. No other waste
should be placed in the container. Use extreme caution
when handling and disposing of ashes.
Safety advice
Always use a BS 8423: 2002 approved fireguard where
there is danger of contact between the stove and
vulnerable persons, especially children.
Occasionally, fumes may be detected during refuelling
and de-ashing, but during normal running the stove
should not emit fumes into the room being heated. See
page 7
for troubleshooting.
FUELS
Manufactured and natural smokeless fuels are
recommended for use with the stove. Outside smoke
control areas, bituminous coal briquettes, wood logs
and peat blocks may be used. For a full list of suitable
fuels, check with the official solid fuel approvals body,
HETAS, or the Solid Fuel Association. Only use fuels
approved for use with closed heating stoves. Refer
problems about fuel quality or suitability to the fuel
supplier.
Do not burn liquid fuels, driftwood, manufactured logs
(e.g. compressed wood), varnished or plastic-coated
wood, pallet wood, wood treated with preservatives, or
household waste.
Smokeless fuel
The stove is suitable for use with manufactured and
natural smokeless fuels that have been approved for
use with closed heating stoves. Bituminous coal
briquettes may be used, but petroleum coke must not.
Wood burning – types of wood
Wood logs and peat blocks may be used, but only
outside smoke control areas. The stove will burn most
well-seasoned softwoods and hard woods. Softwoods
are usually easier to light than hard woods, but the
latter will produce less ash, soot and creosote residue,
and will burn for longer. Types of hard wood include
beech, ash and oak.
Ensure wood has been seasoned correctly. Seasoning
can take up to 18 months, depending on the tree
species, when it was felled, and the drying conditions.
Logs can have their seasoning accelerated by being
forced dried in a kiln.
The thermal value of wood depends on its moisture
content. As the moisture content increases, the useful
energy derived from its burning decreases. This is
because energy is used to drive off the excess
moisture. Ensure the wood has a moisture content of
less than 20%. Assuming 20% moisture content, 1 kg of
wood will have a thermal value of about 4 kWh.
Wood that has not been split and left for a period will
contain more moisture. This will reduce the efficiency of
the appliance and result in higher fuel consumption.
Wood that contains too much moisture also produces
more steam and may contribute to incomplete
combustion. This can lead to an excess of creosote
build-up.
Mendip 5 SE
Smoke exempt appliance.
The Clean Air Act 1993 and Smoke Control Areas
Under the Clean Air Act local authorities may declare
the whole or part of the district of the authority to be a
smoke control area. It is an offence to emit smoke from
a chimney of a building, from a furnace or from any
fixed boiler if located in a designated smoke control
area. It is also an offence to acquire an "unauthorised
fuel" for use within a smoke control area unless it is
used in an "exempt" appliance ("exempted" from the
controls which generally apply in the smoke control
area).
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and
Rural Affairs has powers under the Act to authorise
smokeless fuels or exempt appliances for use in smoke
control areas in England. In Scotland and Wales this
power rests with Ministers in the devolved
administrations for those countries. Separate
legislation, the Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981,
applies in Northern Ireland. Therefore it is a
requirement that fuels burnt or obtained for use in
