The Building Regulations

The basic requirements for the design and construction of chimneys in England and Wales are given in The Approved Document to the Building Regulations 2000 - Part J: 2002 Edition - Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems.

In Scotland, the necessary requirements are laid down in Part F of the Building Standards (Scotland) and several deemed-to-satisfy examples are provided.

In Northern Ireland the requirements are given in Technical Booklet L of the Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006, published by the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland.

In the Republic of Ireland it is Document J 1997 published by the Department of the Environment

There are some variations in details of the requirements in the three documents, but the principles remain the same.

The Building Regulations have key requirements for heat producing appliances and chimneys:

• That there is an adequate supply of air.
• That the products of combustion are safely discharged to the outside air.
• That the building is protected from catching fire.
• Apart from the Republic of Ireland there are 2 further requirements:
• That a check list detailing the construction of the chimney should be completed.
• That a notice plate detailing the correct application and use of the chimney should be attached within the building.

Standards and Code of practice
Flue liners should be specified to the requirements of the European Standard, BS EN 1457:1999 – Chimneys – Clay/ceramic flue liners – Requirements and test methods.

Flue terminals are specified in British Standard BS 1181:1999 - Clay flue terminals, covering the requirements for terminals. The new European standard BS EN 13502:2002 for clay flue terminals will supersede BS 1181. The standards give the relevant details of dimensions and tolerances, performance requirements, sampling procedures, testing and marking.

The construction of chimneys using clay flue liners is detailed in BS 6461: Part 1: 1984 - Installation of chimneys and flues for domestic appliances burning solid fuel (including wood and peat) Part 1 - Code of practice for masonry chimneys & flue pipes.