Chimneys & flues


What’s new in the chimney world?


Dennis Milligan, President of the British Flue and Chimney Manufacturers Association (BFCMA), discusses some new developments in the industry


(biofuels and biomass) and peat heating systems is once again permitted in residential buildings. The Scottish Government stated that it “is akin to the position before the New Build Heat Standard (NBHS) came into force on 1st April 2024, where no restrictions were placed on the use of these fuel types”.


The final decision on the future use of bioenergy New standards


The last year has seen a significant change in the publication of chimney standards. The log jam created by the European Commission is now starting to clear and the main standard for chimney design, commissioning and installation, BSEN15287, was published in October and the revised UK Annex is currently being worked on. More revised standards will now follow. In addition to defining how a product should be designed and installed product standards feed into Approved Document J. The BFCMA is hopeful that Document J will be updated in the near future. In the meantime, stay up to date with the BFCMA design and installation guides covering wood burning and multi-fuel stoves, biomass appliances, gas appliances and commercial flues. The guides can be downloaded from the BFCMA website. Post Brexit, you might wonder why we are talking about the European Commission. Well, that is because the UK Government has decided to stay in alignment with the EU on product standards. The UK can, however, create a UK Annex to tailor the standard to UK practices. The position on the UKCA mark continues to be


uncertain with the previous government indicating that it would be 2025 at the earliest before an announcement would be made. In the meantime, the CE mark remains valid.


10 December 2024 Ecodesign stoves


The advent of Ecodesign stoves with their lower emissions has placed even more importance on the draw in the chimney/flue. One of the ways in which stove manufacturers have reduced emissions is to retain the products of combustion in the fire chamber for longer before releasing them into the flue. This can reduce the velocity and temperature of the flue gases as they enter the flue. The draw of the chimney should be checked when installing the stove to ensure that the draw meets the stove manufacturer’s requirements. Other ways of improving the performance of the chimney/flue include building the chimney as straight as possible and ensuring there is consistent insulation along the complete length of the flue. It is important that the temperature of the gases are maintained above the dew point as they travel up the flue/chimney. BFCMA members can advise on chimney design and installation. This includes using industry standard software to check that the flue design will create the required draw in the flue/ chimney.


U-turn on stoves


The decision of the Scottish Government to rethink the installation of stoves in new houses is to be welcomed. The installation of bioenergy heating


fuels for both primary and secondary heating will be taken when the review of the NBHS and the associated technical guidance is concluded. (The review also includes an examination of the role of wood burning stoves in Scotland). The review is expected to support the use of bioenergy fuels for both primary and secondary heating but this cannot be taken for granted and continued lobbying of the Scottish Government will be required. The SIA spearheaded the campaign for a review of the NBHS, arguing that modern wood burning stoves are among the lowest carbon-emitting heating options available, significantly reducing carbon intensity compared to direct electric heating. The SIA also rightly raised concerns that a ban on wood burning stoves would leave many Scottish households, especially in rural areas, vulnerable to heat loss during power outages and exacerbate fuel poverty by limiting heating choices. The Minister described his decision as a “common sense and progressive step” which gives hope for the future.


About the BFCMA


The BFCMA is the UK’s only Trade Association representing the chimney and flue industry and works closely with Government, public bodies and other organisations to further the interest of the chimney & flue industry. It represents the majority of manufacturers and sole distributors in the industry.


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