I am in Franche Comte but some distance from you, in the Jura near Champagnole. I am a semi-retired architect, and have in the past installed wood-burning fires and stoves myself, in the UK. The regulations and insurance consequences have now changed in the UK so that recently I have paid professionals to do this, so that they can provide HETAS Certificates of Compliance (Building Regulation Compliance Certificates). I think there are two good reasons for that: if/when I sell I can demonstrate full building regulation compliance when a solicitor conducts a search, which might otherwise jeopardise the sale; if there is a fire or even carbon monoxide issues with tenants or guests, I then have proof against 3rd Party claims and can be reasonably sure that insurers will pay out.
Some years ago we bought a 12 KW Godin Stove for our house here. We went to the local Godin agents and obtained a Devis (detailed quotation). The Stove itself cost about 25% of the final bill for flue and installation. Our electrician (also the local volunteer fire chief) was annoyed because we did not ask him, or use his services. (Many electricians will be just as happy plumbing or installing stoves in our experience since!). He came in to do some work, and realised the people employed by the agents did not observe the regs. Rather than telling us he took an axe to the ceiling, causing a fair amount of damage, to clear a sufficient distance between the stainless steel flue and the nearby floor timbers. He then left us an unapologetic note telling us what he had done in the interests of preserving our lives! I then had to spend more time and money putting right the damage while observing the French Regs. We are still very pleased with the Godin, and it is still working well, almost 18 years later, even when its -20 deg c outside.
I would now ensure that I checked the qualifications of the artisan doing the installation and not just the sales agency selling the Stove! There are a wide range of skills and knowledge in French artisans in my experience, so I would also ask neighbours for recommendations, and ask for recent commendations from clients. There are helpful sites - eg https://www.faire.fr/trouvez-un-professionnel “Je recherche un professionnel RGE” but I would still undertake those checks as well. RGE qualification appears to be the closest equivalent to the UK HETAS scheme. There is a qualification that I would expect a wood-burner installer to have now in France, “QualiBois” - https://www.qualit-enr.org/particuliers/informer-qualif/decouvrez-qualibois. Although I would still check for real customer recommendations, and even visit them to find out if there are any issues, I think at least this scheme involves annual audits and satisfied customers, as well as some evidence of skills in the individual staff.
In more detail.
- There are regulations in France about installing wood-burning stoves. They include distance away from timber beams and other potentially combustible materials etc, air supply to the stove, and the stove manufacture itself (kitemark Flamme verte ) . (The kitemark demonstrates the minimum efficiency of the stove, some cheaper ones may not comply!).
- If it’s an existing chimney with a new wood-burning stove- the chimney must have a liner to comply. The liner or double walled flue if new, must comply with French regulations (some british supplied ones are fine in the UK but not in France). There are recommendations, for best draw and operation, that the size of flue is 25% larger than the collar on the stove, eg if a 150mm collar, then a 200mm flue. British standards generally are aligned with French Standards (via the International Standards Organisation [ISO], so reading the UK standards gives a good start. E.g. https://www.hetas.co.uk/wp-content/mediauploads/BFCMA-General-Guidance-10-12-12.pdf However bear in mind that international standards are subject to similar interpretation in France as in the UK. So do check with a professional by getting one or more Devis (detailed written quotations – see https://www.service-public.fr/professionnels-entreprises/vosdroits/F31144 for the Devis requirements … right-click the page in Google Chrome to translate to English… 3rd option from the bottom of the pop up menu.)
- You require a dedicated air supply pipe or duct from exterior to alongside the stove. The size of the supply depends on the size of the stove.
- You can potentially save some VAT (almost 15%) by using a qualified firm (RGE) to supply and install.
- You will need a qualified professional chimney sweep to regularly sweep and to certify the operation of the installation. The frequency appears to vary in different regions and communes, but the maximum period appears to be 3 years, unless your insurers or the commune require otherwise.
- If you do not do this, you may well find that your insurers will not cover you in the event of a claim.
- There are some very helpful discussions on Survive France at Air vent for wood burning stove? and at Buying a woodburning stove... a cautionary tale