18/09/2026
TRUE OR FALSE? 🤔
Smoke control area? That doesn’t automatically mean you can’t have a fire.
The rules are actually about two things: the appliance you’re using and the fuel you’re burning.
If you’re using an open fire or a non-exempt appliance in a smoke control area, you generally need to burn an authorised fuel, such as approved smokeless fuels. You can’t simply burn ordinary logs.
However, if you have a DEFRA-exempt appliance, certain unauthorised fuels, including wood, can be burned. The important bit is that the appliance must specifically be approved for that fuel, and you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
🪵 If you’re burning wood, make sure you’re using suitable dry wood. In England, small-volume domestic wood sales must be certified as ‘Ready to Burn’, meaning the wood meets the required moisture standard.
Wood can often be free too! Don’t think you have to spend a lot to get your home all cozy 🥰
