HETAS Registered Installer in Brentwood. Stove installation, chimney lining and twin wall flue systems. Smoke draw test and soundness test on every installation. Compliance certificate on completion.
Brentwood is to the northeast of our core territory and offers some of the largest detached properties in the area we cover — substantial houses in Shenfield, Hutton and Pilgrims Hatch where chimney stacks are typically present and often in good structural order. Older Brentwood town centre properties carry Victorian and Edwardian chimneys that may not have been used in many years. Pre-installation smoke testing tells us the condition of the flue before any work is agreed.
HETAS registered installer, HETAS approved installer, HETAS certified installer — these three terms all refer to the same registration under the HETAS Competent Person Scheme. If you have searched for any of these terms, you are in the right place.
Two distinct smoke tests apply to a stove and liner installation, each serving a different purpose. Both are required under a properly completed HETAS installation.
The smoke draw test is carried out before installation work begins. A smoke pellet or smoke generator is burned at the base of the existing flue while the top is observed. A strong, consistent draw at the pot confirms the chimney is drawing correctly. A weak draw, a reversal, or smoke appearing at the fireplace opening rather than exiting at the top identifies a draw problem — cold or blocked flues, structural defects, or insufficient flue height can all contribute. If the draw test reveals a problem, it is identified and addressed before any stove or liner installation proceeds. Fitting a stove into a flue that does not draw properly does not fix the draw problem — it creates a safety risk and a non-compliant installation.
The smoke soundness test is carried out after liner installation, before the compliance certificate is issued. The liner is sealed at both ends and filled with smoke under pressure. Every accessible section of the chimney exterior is then inspected for any sign of smoke escaping — through the masonry, at pot connections, or at register plate joints. A clean result with no leakage confirms the liner installation is gas-tight. A failure requires investigation and remediation before the installation can be certified. Both tests are completed on every installation we carry out in Brentwood.
We cover Brentwood postcodes CM13, CM14 and CM15. Brentwood town centre, Shenfield, Hutton, Pilgrims Hatch and surrounding areas all within our standard territory.
We cover stove installation, chimney lining and twin wall flue systems across Brentwood and the surrounding area. HETAS compliance certificate on every job.
Pre-installation survey. Professional installation to Approved Document J. CO alarm confirmed in room. Smoke draw test and commissioning. HETAS compliance certificate issued on the day — legal record of building regulation compliance.
What is a smoke draw test and when is it done?
A smoke draw test confirms the chimney is drawing correctly before installation begins. A smoke pellet is burned at the base of the flue and the draw is observed at the top. A clear, strong draw confirms the flue is suitable. A poor draw signals a problem that needs resolving before the stove is fitted.
What is a smoke soundness test?
A smoke soundness test checks a lined flue for leakage after installation. The liner is sealed at the top and bottom and filled with smoke. The full accessible length is then inspected for any sign of smoke escaping through the masonry or at joints. A clean test with no leakage confirms the liner installation is sound.
Get in touch to discuss your project. Contact us for a survey and quote.
We also cover Chigwell & Hainault. See all areas covered.
