I accidentally spent some time working there last year when flooding was widespread and discovered the War of the Roses continues to this day, after dark, largely provoked by the 1974 boundary changes.

If you really must stop there, drool over Lesley Garrett as I do but don’t mention Lancashire. The remainder of the journey is a delightful romp through Yorkshire dales.

Having been last year to this event I was able to by-pass the many profligate unit heaters utilising all kinds of fuel. If you ever win the lottery and want an unusual appliance to show off with, this is the place to visit. The event includes a vast array of accessories to hearth and home, mostly to suit the affluent, who have never heard of sedbuk.com and like President Bush choose to ignore Kyoto.

Burley Appliances Limited

Some of last year’s visitors were notably absent and I will be contacting one or two to see how they have progressed. Valor were not represented this year which may be due to their adoption by Baxi. However their mortal and widely publicised enemy, Burley, occupied the same spacious stand as last year and were definitely in high spirits with their superb new range of inset flueless gas fires which only require a room size of 30 cubic metres. The stoves with higher input rating as you may recall require a room size of 40 cubic metres.

30 cubic metres is equivalent to a room less than 3.600 metres square, which provides huge opportunities for Burley to increase the current population of 6000 flueless gas fires in the UK. And before I start getting nasty emails off David Adams I’ll remind everyone that a modest 50 square centimetre permanent vent is also required. My preferred choice is the Arrestaire which really is draught proof but unfortunately were not represented this year. Less than an hours work with a diamond core bit while you are on site.

These new inset flueless gas fires are, like their ancestors, 100% efficient by definition and competitively priced with conventional OF inset gas fires which return only a humble 20% – 60 % efficiency depending upon the type. House-builders take note, no problematic Class 2 flues required. Which reminds me.

Burley suggested to me that at 2.4kw these new fires would still require background heating, which is honest of them. I have done a calculation based upon BS 5449 and current Building Regulations which shows clearly that these fires, being 100% efficient, will comfortably deliver more than is required to maintain design temperatures on the modern new build home in a lounge up to 50 cubic metres. Again, House-Builders take note.

Midtherm Flue Systems Ltd

The Class 2 flue in-situ ceramic lining caught my eye, though they obviously do much more. The heat resistant coating is between 4 and 6 mm thick and at approximately £ 1000 per typical gaff, is I suppose cheaper than renewal. Before anyone gives me any grief we know there are some Class 2 flues that are too tight in size to line. In these cases it is possible to enhance jointing. How I do not know.

ITS Testing and Certification Ltd and Gastec at CRE Ltd

Two of the four certification bodies in the UK for gas appliances along with the BSI and Advantica who were not represented.

Seagas Industries Ltd

Always of interest to me to look at gas controls, thermocouples and the like, as well as discussing their development. They do of course produce an alternative ASD and at this show were flirting with manufacturers rather than installers.

Clwyd Refractory Fibres Ltd

These people have survived from last year’s show and sell to the industry producing a range of refractory material. Still of academic interest to us.

Cathay UK Distribution

Nothing at all to do with gas but I recall last year someone asking about ceramic heaters on the old message board. This company is marketing the Halogen Heater. This is an all powerful, energy efficient, low cost ( less than £ 100 ), instant heat, cool touch cabinet with tip-over switch. The most surprising aspect is the heat source. If you want to ignite something it would be quicker rubbing two sticks together than holding a piece of paper to the face of the unit. All include remote control unit and elements are cheaper than traditional electric fire elements. No wall mounted model as yet and that is a major drawback which will soon be addressed.

Jackdaw Chimney Guards

I promised a mention to this young business but unfortunately have not been able to find their details. I will try to remedy that in due course. This is essentially concerned with the prevention of birds entering open flues, for which a range of wire guards have been devised.

Mertik Maxitrol

Credited with recognition for their battery powered remote flame adjustment ( motorised valve ), my interest was in their flow control devices on the main gas supply. Mandatory in Germany is a device which fits immediately behind the meter control valve and essentially serves the same purpose as the old fusible link on oil installations. That is to say in the event of fire the gas supply will shut down. The marketing assistant I spoke with was surprised to learn the large majority – if not all – gas meters on new build are installed externally, therefore this device might expect to see little use in the UK.

Another cunning device interrupts the flow of gas in the event of a breach due to a nail through a pipe for example or if plastic pipe used in installations was cut or burnt. I was told there are a significant number of accidents during construction work and this device has found favour in that setting. There are in fact a series of these on any system. Acting almost like an electrical consumer unit RCD. They utilise a mini manifold.

I was delighted with the gas socket outlet that is now being provided in kitchens in Germany alongside electrical socket outlets to serve gas tumble driers, washing machines and dishwashers. Clever design of socket of exactly the same size as your typical 13 amp socket outlet.

The web link is currently to Maxitrol but there will be a new web site soon serving the German company.

Footnote

I have noted a curious item on the front page of FIREBRAND, the undated newsletter of the National Fireplace Association handed out at Hearth and Home. They have joined the fray in the anti-flueless gas fire movement. They quote Willie Byrne then Technical Director of Valor saying that “ If anything goes wrong, it will be the installer who is ( held ) responsible “.

Incidentally, the flueless gas fire is fitted with an ASD.