THE Prepping thread - a new beginning :)

lavandergirl_2

Just posting this because of the France Terror Attack

Prepping for Terrorist Attacks - from Red Cross
Terror Alert Survival Guide
Terrorism Preparedness

pineapple

GreyQueen wrote: »

One thing I have considered is that if I was using candles for several hours in a power outage, those smelly waxes could get headachey very quickly, so if I'm buying candles, I opt for the plain ones.

Imo fragranced candles are to be used with caution. There again I won't even have on 'air freshener' in my home. Plus I would only ever use paraffin wax in an emergency and for as short a period as possible.
Unfortunately beeswax is so expensive in comparison

jim-jim

Morning, we have an open chimney and fire back. so not a working fire. We found this when we removed the gas fire and surround.

We were thinking of having a multi fuel / log burner fitted, as a back up heating method.

Any advice before we start looking round the shops, I dont fancy being talked into buying an 'over the top' fire. All we want is a billy basic heat source.

We are in a smoke controlled area.

Any advice greatly appreciated. I have also asked this in the Winter thread.

x

pineapple

I went for a multifuel as I have found that unless you have a cheap supply of wood, woodburners are more expensive to run. Plus they need more feeding/don't stay in as long. If you opt for wood however you can find stoves specifically for smoke free areas.

If you go for a stove above 5kw output, regs require extra ventilation fitted in your room - it doesn't matter if your house is a leaky old wreck!

A fitted carbon monoxide detector is required for all new stoves.

A chimney liner is not compulsory for stoves but might be recommended for an older chimney..

Some people fit their own stoves or have them fitted by a general builder. But when you come to sell, buyers will expect to see a certificate that it meets regs so most go for a HETAS registered installer. Google HETAS for a list of installers in your area then get quotes.
The alternative to this is to try to get it registered after the event which is not always easy. There is no one in my area who will do this including the local council.

You can have stoves with either a rear or a top flue. A top flue is supposed to be more efficient but a rear flue gives you the whole area on top for possibly putting a pan/pans on.

There are minimum requirements for distances to combustible materials. That includes anything from your log basket to a wooden lintel.
My stove was fitted flush to/proud of the wall and the only wooden lintel I can have would be somewhere near the ceiling! (old cottage with low ceilings). But a proper HETAS installer should be au fait with all that. As stoves vary in their output, most should specify the distance in the details.

I would look at a few in real life then get internet quotes. Some local suppliers will match your lowest quote.
There is a big variation in price. You can pay silly money for the more fashionable names. But beware - build quality also varies.
My old coal merchant recommended these guys. Couldn't see any prices when I looked briefly but I know they used to be cheaper than average.
http://www.townandcountryfires.co.uk/product-category/multifuel/

Ps I paid over £1,000 for fitting ie excluding the purchase price of the stove. That included excavating the chimney breast and some replastering, supply and fitting of a chimney liner and carbon monoxide alarm plus HETAS certification.

milasavesmoney

lavandergirl wrote: »

Just posting this because of the France Terror Attack

Prepping for Terrorist Attacks - from Red Cross
Terror Alert Survival Guide
Terrorism Preparedness

Excellent post! I bookmarked these to study later. Especially the second link.
Thank you!

greenbee

pineapple wrote: »

Imo fragranced candles are to be used with caution. There again I won't even have on 'air freshener' in my home. Plus I would only ever use paraffin wax in an emergency and for as short a period as possible.
Unfortunately beeswax is so expensive in comparison

Soya wax is a more affordable (and cleaner burning) alternative.

gt568

ariarnia wrote: »

Ignoring immigration issues I was displeased the bbc posted this short on how easy it is to get on a plane and to london on a fake passport.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/features/magazine-36744910/36744910

the first time the guy was caught he was back on a different plane at the same airport the next day on a different passport. ridiculous.

Attended a brief by the Met police to aid ID'ing of fake documents the other day, they said in excess of 10000 blank passports get lost a year by the passport office!!

jk0

gt568 wrote: »

Attended a brief by the Met police to aid ID'ing of fake documents the other day, they said in excess of 10000 blank passports get lost a year by the passport office!!

!!!!!!! Then I think someone ought to check the bank accounts of the staff for strange deposits.

BTW, you know that Syrian guy on BBC news who flew to the UK on a false passport to claim asylum. Why was he not returned to Belgium?

westlothianlass

Hi all,
The mylar bags and oxygen absorbers i ordered last week came so i've decanted 10kg of rice, some sugar, pasta and lentils into bags to see how they do.
Fingers crossed tomorrow morning i will be able to see that the oxygen has been removed :j.
Monsoon rain today but after a few hot days the garden seems happy to get a drink.
So sorry to see the horror in France, i felt very emotional watching the news, so sad.

pineapple

greenbee wrote: »

Soya wax is a more affordable (and cleaner burning) alternative.

Thanks. Will look into that!