Pro or not, just had my HETAS site inspection today, and feeling a bit bruised. It's very detailed, I passed but got picked up on points that have changed recently (and HETAS didn't tell me). So I'm going to get checked again next year.You are obviously the pro mate as you install them daily. I'm quite particular about these things and if I thought there was a fire risk I certainly wouldn't do it but appreciate you have to meet regs. I don't take the battens right down on the face I leave them around 8 inches from the cement board.
I'm due to go on my 5-year refresher course next April, seems lots has moved on and it's getting very detailed/complicated. I didn't know this, but apparently some stove manufacturers are stating minimum headroom clearances now, for just this reason.