It's worth starting to get to know the relevant
building, planning and smoke control regulations early on, in case
they have some obvious implications for your project. For example,
your building may be in an Air Quality Management Area.
Building control
All wood fuel heating systems need a flue. A flue is a duct,
pipe, or chimney for conveying exhaust gases from a wood fuel
boiler to the outdoors.
Flues must comply with building regulations. The technical handbooks for
domestic and non-domestic properties specify various
requirements for flues for solid fuel appliances.
Most new chimneys and flues will need a building warrant.
Read more about building
standards relating to woodfuel.
Planning
Under recent legislation for renewables in domestic properties,
planning permission is not required for wood fuel generation under
45 kW unless:
- the flue exceeds one meter above the roof height (excluding the
chimney) or is installed on the principal elevation and visible
from a road in buildings in Conservation Areas and World Heritage
Sites.
- the flue is situated within an Air Quality Management
Area.
Read more about planning
regulations and guidance relating to woodfuel.
Smoke control
If you are in a Smoke Control Area
you must check whether your equipment and the fuel used is listed
as exempt under the Clean Air Act.
If you are located in one of the Air Quality Management Areas
in Scotland, further restrictions may apply and you
must ensure your wood fuel boiler is listed on the Energy Technology List
for Biomass Boilers and Roomheaters.
Read more about air quality
regulations and guidance relating to woodfuel.