Does your firewood stay dry?

Emissions from wood burning can be influenced by the quality of the fuel and good wood storage methods. It is important to store the wood in a place that is ventilated, but protected from rain. Firewood should not be covered too tightly due to moisture condensation and mould. Firewood should also be brought inside to warm up 1–2 days before burning.

What should be considered when storing wood?

• The best place to store firewood is a ventilated woodshed that provides protection from rain. In a good woodshed, the wood stays dry and air circulates through gaps in the floor, walls and ceiling. A good woodshed also enables dry and drying wood to be separated from each other.
• Do not store wood against the wall of a residential building, as this poses a fire risk and can damage the wall structures.
• A garage or other shelter for a motor vehicle is not a storage place for firewood.
• According to fire safety regulations, no more than 0.5 m³ of solid fuel may be stored inside a residential building, unless it is in a separate, compartmentalised space.
• Unnecessary flammable items must not be stored in workrooms, attics, basements, under or in the yards of buildings.
• No items may be stored on exit routes and in the corridors of attics, basements or storehouses.
• Firewood should not be stored against the ground without underlay or covered too tightly due to moisture condensation and mould.
  Source: VTT guide “Klapia liiteriin”