Lockdown 2.0

lockdown 2.0 back to where we were in March.

Except for this time there are some fundamental differences, and they’re actually good news for Capel chimney sweeps and our customers.

Because unlike in March, when the government’s advice was misleading andmisunderstood they have been more forthright this time.

They have now spelt out, in black and white, that people are permitted to work in other people’s homes.

We have also had time to develop protocols and practices to make this safer for everybody.

We hear you ask, ‘but is the work essential?’

Whether that work is deemed ‘essential’ or not?

‘Essential’ only relates to physical commercial premises in this context

Similarly, whether the person carrying out the service is a ‘keyworker’ or not isn’t something which is being thrown into the mix this time, as The government guidance is go to work if you can’t do so from home.

So, please – disregard the words ‘essential’ or ‘keyworker’ when it comes to having a chimney sweep in your home.

Yes, it can be confusing when the government are telling you you can have someone in your home to undertake a paid service, but you can’t have your friends around.

But those are the ‘rules’ as they stand ’ – basically if it’s a social occasion it’s Prohibited; if it’s for work, this is allowed.

The explicit reference to working in people’s homes is good news for you and us.

As winter draws in, with more people working from home, many will want to enjoy the glow of a roaring fire even more than usual therefore increasing the importance of having your fire or stove swept.

And given the sort of year most people have had, the ability to enjoy this simple pleasure of enjoying it safely takes on even more importance…

Covid-19

Capel Chimney Sweeps

Customer information regarding new procedures due to COVID-19

Due to the current situation we have had to revise and modify some of our work procedures and risk assessments to ensure we are following the current government guidelines. This is to maintain a ‘safe as possible’ environment for everybody.

Changes to our PPE procedure and general practices unfortunately means that we will now be wearing high grade PP3 face masks and disposable gloves before entering any premises and throughout the entire process. We will be regularly disinfecting all equipment and using fresh  floor sheets and Sealing up equipment for each new premises. We have taken a conscientious decision to not go disposable for these items to minimise the impact on the environment as due to the extra processes, cleaning and extra PPE meaning plastic waste has already gone up.

As many of you are aware we are a small super friendly family run company. Unfortunately due to the current situation we will have to refrain from our long conversations with our customers and the enjoyment of their lovely refreshments for the time being at least. 

Normally we would not have any problems with people watching or pottering in and out of the room whilst working but given the current situation we will ask you to refrain from doing this.

Regarding your certificate of Sweeping we currently have two options available: we will fill out and keep your paper copies as we always do and not issue you your copies. But you are safe in the knowledge that we have kept it for you should you need it or we can send this electronically after the event for you.

Customer requirements for sweeps under COVID-19

1 make sure all doors are open and there is easy access prior to the sweep arriving

2 make sure there is a suitable clear work space in front of the appliance and wherever possible removed any parts that need removing and open the door of the appliance prior to the sweep arriving

3 Make sure a power socket is easily accessible and if it has an on off switch make sure it isn’t on

4 Please make sure you follow the social distancing whilst the sweep is carry out their work

Wet Wood Ban

Wet Wood ‘Ban’ – Why The Government Has Got It WRONG

So the government has decided it is to go ahead with its plan to ban the sale of wet wood under the volume of two cubic metres.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is bringing in the mandatory certification scheme next year (2021).

For smaller wood manufacturers, the scheme will be delayed for a year , coming in during 2022. This is because the Government says it realises that smaller producers may struggle to hit the deadline.

I wrote a long article about this when the original consultation started, and I was one of the few chimney sweeps to respond – indeed you will see our name in the respondents list.

So, what does it all mean?

From Now to 2021

You will be able to continue buying any fuels for your appliance. You will be able to continue using your solid fuel stove or fireplace as normal – there is NO ban on using them.

From 2021

Larger manufacturers of wood will only be able to sell ‘dry’ wood (i.e – a moisture content of 20% of less) if the volume of wood sold is less than two cubic metres. You will be able to continue using your solid fuel stove or fireplace as normal – there is NO ban on using them.

From 2022

All wood sold under two cubic metres in volume will have to be ‘dry’. You will be able to continue using your solid fuel stove or fireplace as normal – there is NO ban on using them.

So, what do I think of these proposals?

In theory it sounds like a good idea. However, as I have previously mentioned, these measures really are not needed.

Anyone who tries to burn wet wood knows it is pointless – it gives off no heat or flames at all. It’s a wholly underwhelming experience.

Also, wood is a naturally occurring product. In some areas, it is available everywhere – private properties, farm gates, farm shops and so on. I even have customers who are members of local golf clubs and heritage sites who fell wood and sell it locally at a small profit to help raise funds. Does the government seriously think all these will sign up to a certification scheme?

Ban on traditional house coal

Solid fuel businesses could lose over £14 MILLION because of the ban on traditional housecoal and wet wood sales.

The Government’s own figures show that although sales of lower sulphur and dry wood fuels are expected to rise, they may not be sufficient to offset losses elsewhere.

The projected loss in sales, based on government analysis, are as follows:

⁃ Housecoal sales (£14.7m)

⁃ High sulphur manufactured solid fuel (£18.2 million)

There will also be a net loss in profits to the wood industry estimated at £15.9 million as a result of the ban on the sale of wet wood, says the government.

“We estimate the total net loss in profits to solid fuel businesses to be approximately £14.3 million in present value terms based on fixed current market prices in the central scenario.

“The loss in profits is expected to range between £17.1 million in the low scenario taking into consideration a 20% discount and £11.4 million in the high scenario using a 20% mark-up. Coal and high sulphur manufactured solid fuel (MSF) businesses can recover profit losses through the sale of low sulphur MSF.”

The assessment also admits there is “some uncertainty” as to how much wood manufacturers will have to fork out in order to meet compliance.

“Some wood suppliers will need to invest in drying kilns or covered space to season wood in order to comply with the proposed legislation.

“Based on discussions with stakeholders a kiln and the supporting fuel infrastructure are believed to cost between £70,000 and £80,000 for a drying capacity of over 1,800 tonnes of wet wood per year.

“The operating costs (labour, maintenance, insurance and others, boiler feedstock) are estimated at £16 per tonne. Covers to dry wood are estimated to cost £150 per metre squared with a capacity to season three tonnes per year.

“From an analysis of the consultation responses, we estimate that half of wood businesses that will incur some capital costs to dry their wood will invest in a kiln dryer while the other half will invest in construction of covered areas for the processing, storing and seasoning of timber and processed firewood.

“There is some uncertainty regarding the size of additional capital investment required to raise existing wood drying capacity to a level that meets the expected demand from consumers following the enactment of the proposed legislation.

“Based on our consultation and discussions with industry experts, wood producers are likely to respond in one of 4 ways to comply with the legislation for quantities of wood sold wet:

• Season it using existing spare drying capacity;

• Scale up and sell only in volumes over 2m3 – potential customers would be both domestic and larger businesses with drying capacity;

• Build home-made cover storage or drying kiln;

• Invest in cover space or drying kiln.

“It should also be noted that the Government anticipates that, initially, there may not be full compliance to the legislation by wood producers due to the flexibility in the design of the regulation and the large number of small retailers which makes the regulation harder to fully enforce. This has been reflected in the analysis.”