Does installing a wood burning stove/boiler require any permissions?

[usenet]

Vaguely connected with my other question, what permissions, checks etc. do we need to get, if any, to install a wood (possibly multi-fuel) burning stove which will also provide some hot water?

I know there are regulations relating to hearths around the stove and distance of the stove from walls and distance from anything inflammable. Does one just have to conform to these requirements or must a building inspector see that one has?

[Rick]

Best bet is to phone em up, and ask em. In my view, its best to get the BCO to take a look if at all possible, cause he will spot mistakes you never thought of - assuming you make any. Also it will help when you come to sell, and some snotty survayor takes issue with what you have done.

The cost of the BCO for small jobs is actually pretty reasonable.

Rick

[Andy]

Noone will know if you don't tell 'em! Yes there are regs regarding hearths and ventilation and testing the flue ( smoke test etc ). Best to follow them, up to you if you want to get a piece of paper IMHO.

Andy.

[AJH]

Part J and L of the building regs cover this. Essentially any new flue needs a certificate as does the stove. HETAS accredited firms are the only body that can self certify a stove and then only if they do all the installation.

This is the sting in the tail of the regulations, whilst the HETAS scheme is a voluntary code and others may fit the solid fuel equipment only HETAS can self certify. The other option is to have the work certified by the BCO but the fee tends to be high, I had quotes from GBP200 to 400.

AJH

[AJH]

Just don't tell HETAS this ;-)

AJH

[puffernutter]

Having just done this - I wrote the earlier post!

There are two options:

1. DIY and go through Building Control (including all the fees, hassle, inspections etc.)
2. Employ an approved HETAS engineer (see then that negates the requirement for Building Control to get involved!

I used the latter. I physically installed the fire, increased the size of my hearth, added extra ventilation and plumbed it in etc. The HETAS bod just installed the flue liner and all that side of it, checked the rest met the regs (more physical location e.g clearances and ventilation, he wasn't interested in the plumbing side) then he signed it off.

Cheers

Peter

[usenet]

Thanks for the web site link, another one to add to my bookmarks.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Hearths, fireproofing surounds, and lined flues are teh iusses, and yes, you shoudl get the BCO in to check it all over.

Give him a call and ask HIM. That's what he is there for.