You are not allowed to burn fuel that emits smoke in a smoke control area either in a stove or fireplace. You are permitted to burn smokeless fuels on multifuel stoves and fireplaces
If in doubt contact your local authority. They can tell you if you are in a smoke control area and will have details of permitted fuels and appliances.
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Clean Air Act
The UK's Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries was powered by coal and factories were often very near, or in , the cities. Coal burning in the home on stoves and fireplaces was also very common for heating. Air pollution was often very great and when it was foggy pollution levels rose and 'Smogs' were formed bringing cities to a standstill and causing many deaths.
Legislative controls on industrial emissions helped somewhat, but people were still burning a lot of coal on multifuel stoves and fireplaces for domestic heating.
After the Great London Smog of 1952 killed around 4,000 people the Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968 were introduced. These gave local authorities powers to control emissions of smoke and to declare Smoke Control Areas where burning fuel that produces smoke is banned. Many towns and cities now have smoke control areas especially in city centres and they have been effective in controlling the levels of smoke.
Legislative controls on industrial emissions helped somewhat, but people were still burning a lot of coal on multifuel stoves and fireplaces for domestic heating.
After the Great London Smog of 1952 killed around 4,000 people the Clean Air Acts of 1956 and 1968 were introduced. These gave local authorities powers to control emissions of smoke and to declare Smoke Control Areas where burning fuel that produces smoke is banned. Many towns and cities now have smoke control areas especially in city centres and they have been effective in controlling the levels of smoke.
Monday, 27 April 2009
Checking and relining existing Chimneys
Old chimneys are often very in-efficient and particularly if unlined, can leak products of combustion and tars through the chimney walls. It is quite common to find that old chimneys are in a poor condition due to the flue surface and mortar joints being eaten away by corrosive condensates and soot deposits. The size of the flue may also be too large to suit the operating requirements of many modern heating appliances. It was only in 1965 that Building Regulations required that all new chimneys had to be built with suitable flue liners of the correct flue size to protect the chimney structure.
It is therefore very wise to have any old chimney you are using checked for its condition and particularly if you are planning to re-open an old chimney after many years of not being used. The check is best done by a chimney specialist and would start with the chimney being swept to make sure it is clear of obstructions such as dislodged masonry or bird's nests. A smoke test should then be carried out to establish whether there is any major fault that can cause products of combustion to leak through the chimney walls. The general condition of the chimney in terms of structural stability should also be checked, as well as making sure it is wind and water tight.
Carrying out these checks should identify the repair work that is needed and more often than not, it is also necessary to have the chimney fitted with a new liner, which should improve both performance and safety. There are many factory made refining systems available and it is important to make sure that the correct flue size is fitted to suit the appliance or fire that will be used. Many of the same installation requirements as for new chimneys also apply.
Visit http://www.countystoves.co.uk/ for independent advice.
It is therefore very wise to have any old chimney you are using checked for its condition and particularly if you are planning to re-open an old chimney after many years of not being used. The check is best done by a chimney specialist and would start with the chimney being swept to make sure it is clear of obstructions such as dislodged masonry or bird's nests. A smoke test should then be carried out to establish whether there is any major fault that can cause products of combustion to leak through the chimney walls. The general condition of the chimney in terms of structural stability should also be checked, as well as making sure it is wind and water tight.
Carrying out these checks should identify the repair work that is needed and more often than not, it is also necessary to have the chimney fitted with a new liner, which should improve both performance and safety. There are many factory made refining systems available and it is important to make sure that the correct flue size is fitted to suit the appliance or fire that will be used. Many of the same installation requirements as for new chimneys also apply.
Visit http://www.countystoves.co.uk/ for independent advice.
Stove Installation
If you are relining your chimney whether that be with flexible liner, pumice, or concrete liners or if you are building a new chimney (including building a new chimney using twin wall insulated flue pipe) then this is classed as "Building work" and you must notify building control before work starts.
In any case there may well be local planning restrictions convering chimney work and new chimneys that you have to follow.
Such work has to be done under the guidance of a building inspector or by an installer who is a member of a "Competant Person Scheme" such as Hetas.
In any case there may well be local planning restrictions convering chimney work and new chimneys that you have to follow.
Such work has to be done under the guidance of a building inspector or by an installer who is a member of a "Competant Person Scheme" such as Hetas.
Approved Document J of the Building Regulations
The 2002 edition of Approved Document J of The Building Regulations stipulates that any work that affects an existing chimney (ie fitting a new stove or liner) or creating a new chimney now comes under building control.
An existing chimney or a new flue or chimney installation must be given a visual inspection to check that it is in good order, clear of obstructions and is of a suitable size and type for the appliance you plan to install. It may be necessary to sweep the flue (which should always be done anyway before fitting a stove or lining a chimney) and also, if necessary, to do a smoke test to check for gas tightness.
An existing chimney or a new flue or chimney installation must be given a visual inspection to check that it is in good order, clear of obstructions and is of a suitable size and type for the appliance you plan to install. It may be necessary to sweep the flue (which should always be done anyway before fitting a stove or lining a chimney) and also, if necessary, to do a smoke test to check for gas tightness.
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