Legal
Fuel for thought
A consultation has been published on proposed amendments
to Part J of the Building Regulations, covering combustion
appliances. Hywel Davies examines the implications
P
art J of the Building Regulations for England Carbon monoxide alarms
and Wales covers ‘Combustion appliances CLG commissioned research to examine availability, costs
and fuel storage systems’ – boilers and water and benefits of detectors. This concluded that it would not
heaters that burn oil, gas or other combustible be cost effective to provide CO alarms in all homes. But
fuels. It sets out requirements for the supply of air it may be cost effective to require provision of CO alarms
for combustion of the fuel, and for safe discharge where solid fuel appliances are first installed.
of the exhaust gases. Proposed changes in energy Building Regulations can only require CO alarms when
efficiency provisions in Part L include higher standards an appliance is first fitted. But alarms only last six years,
of air tightness in new homes. Guidance on air supply and hazardous appliance faults are more
currently in Approved Document J (ADJ) assumes that likely after that. CLG specifically wants to
there is uncontrolled ventilation from cracks and leaks know the views of respondents on whether
More research
in the building fabric. Air supply provisions in ADJ have this will reduce the benefits of alarms.
been reviewed to ensure that combustion appliances can Room sealed appliances are considered
has been
operate safely in very air tight homes. a much lower risk than traditional open
commissioned by CLG
There is a lack of agreement on the way to achieve flued appliances, so CLG is seeking views
this, and so the Department for Communities and Local on excluding them from the requirement
on how to ensure the
Government (CLG) has commissioned research to explore to fit an alarm.
safety of combustion
this issue more fully and gather evidence. The project
will initially undertake a desk study to be incorporated Concealed flues and pluming
appliances in
into a wider public consultation. This will be followed A Health and Safety Executive investigation
very airtight
by an experimental study to test assumptions about the found a significant number of homes built
effectiveness of uncontrolled ventilation for combustion with gas flues installed and concealed in
homes
of open flue appliances. This will consider the effects of ceiling voids without appropriate access
different building construction methods and types and for inspection, so CLG proposes a requirement to
the influence of different internal or external pressure provide adequate inspection access. Condensing boilers
differences and external wind speeds, for a variety of can produce a white plume or discharge from the flue
appliances and fuels. Meanwhile the proposed changes terminal, due to the flue gases being cooler than flue
to ADJ ignore uncontrolled ventilation for homes with gases from non condensing boilers, which cool down
an air permeability of less than <5.0 m
3
/hr/m2, pending further from the terminal and dissipate differently. This
the research findings and comments on the consultation can result in neighbour disputes and health concerns,
document. so new advice on location of flue outlets is included in
the draft.
Biofuels guidance
Government’s response to the recent Biomass Task Force Bunding of oil tanks
report committed CLG to review how Part J regulates The consultation seeks evidence on the need to bund
biomass boiler installation. The existing regulations all domestic oil storage tanks and requests alternative
and guidance do not take account of flue location and approaches to reducing risk of pollution from oil leaks.
size requirements, nor reflect all biomass technology, so The cost benefit analysis carried out for CLG suggests
are therefore a cost burden and barrier to biomass use. a blanket requirement for bunding would not be cost
Revised guidance on solid fuel appliances takes account effective and, unless evidence to support the case is
of the much wider range of appliances and technologies submitted, it is unlikely to be introduced. l
now available, with a more flexible approach that does not
require some protective measures for some appliances.
Hywel Davies is technical director of CIBSE.
24 CIBSE Journal November 2009 www.cibsejournal.com
CIBSEnov09 pp24 legal.indd 24 22/10/09 15:15:34
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