Wood-based fuel suppliers can now be certified as part of the Solid Biomass Assurance Scheme (SBAS) launched by HETAS.
Boiler manufacturers Byworth, Hamworthy, Dalkia and Cochran were among those backing the launch of HETAS' scheme which sets out to guarantee biomass quality.

SBAS was launched with government funding following a successful pilot by HETAS. The pilot scheme kicked off in July 2009 and vetted the fuel production process of national supplier Certainly Wood and local supplier The Firewood Company.

As a result of its success, wood fuel and biomass producers can now market their products using the SBAS logo to show their customers the HETAS stamp of approval.

The SBAS scheme is made up of four categories; logs, chips, pellets and briquettes. In each category, the fuel is quality assured in reference to European Standards, with indicators such as size, energy content and maximum moisture content.

Wood and biomass with a high moisture content can be exceptionally difficult to light, and will produce lots of smoke and tars. These tars can be corrosive, potentially damaging the lining of the flue and increasing the danger of a chimney fire.

Funding from the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) will pay for HETAS project manager and other staff to administer the scheme, conduct inspections and produce promotional literature.

SBAS project manager Mark Russell said: 'Good quality fuel is essential for safe and efficient combustion, whereas poor quality fuel will burn badly, wasting energy and money. At the moment there is no clear labelling for wood or biomass fuel, but SBAS addresses this issue and can provide consumers the confidence they are choosing the best product appropriate to their appliance.'

A list of SBAS approved fuel suppliers will soon be available on the HETAS website at www.hetas.co.uk

SBAS is the latest addition to HETAS' portfolio of quality assurance schemes which includes the solid fuel HETAS 'Approved Appliance' scheme and HETAS 'Approved Installer' scheme.