Does the room need any additional ventilation?
In order to burn fuel whether it is coal, wood or gas, a supply of air is needed to provide the oxygen for combustion. The air is taken from the room in which the fire is burning and then, because hot air rises, the waste products of combustion are carried away up the chimney. If there is not a sufficient supply of fresh air into a room to replace that used in the combustion process, then the chinmey will cease to function and waste, potentially lethal gases may filter back into the room.With a low power gas fire, there is usually enough clean air entering a room through natural processes such as gaps in doors, etc but otherwise purpose made vents must be fitted. Building regulations are very strict on this and state that ventilation must be provided for any cumbustion appliance unless the manufacturer has had the appliance approved to be fitted without. In practice this usually means that a gas fire with input rating of less than 7kw or a solid fuel closed appliance such as a wood-burning stove rated below 5kw may be fitted without additional ventilation if the installer is satisfied that it is working safely.
