CHIMNEYS & FLUES I
n the years to come we could look back on 2025 as a breakthrough year for wood burning stoves and flues. Probably, the most significant development in
2025 was the decision by the Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to include wood burning stoves in their Future Homes Standard. This follows a similar decision taken by the Scottish Government in 2024. The decision reflects the contribution stoves can make to home heating. Heat pumps work best at a constant temperature and are slow to respond to changes in temperature. Wood burning stoves can complement heat pumps by providing booster heat and additional warmth during extremely cold periods. As the operation of a stove is independent of the national grid it can be used in a power cut, providing welcome heat. Many people may not realise that modern wood burning stoves are far more efficient and cleaner than open fires or older stove models. When it comes to particle emissions they produce significantly lower levels of PM2.5 and are typically over 90% efficient. The independently verified Clear Skies website can help identify stoves that produce fewer emissions, including those that are suitable for use in smoke control areas.
Approved Document J
The Heath & Safety Executive (HSE) has decided to review Approved Document J. More than five years have passed since the document was last revised, and there have been substantial advancements in heating technology in that time. As part of the review the HSE will consult with interested parties. Although it was expected to have happened by now, it appears it will be postponed until next year. Document J does not cover commercial flues. To help installers understand the requirements the BFCMA has published a Commercial Flue Guide. The guide covers chimney principles, flue design and maintenance, flue height and the Clean Air Act. The guide gives a useful overview on the selection and installation of chimneys and flues in commercial applications.
As noted earlier in the year, the UK will continue to use the CE mark for construction products. A key feature of the CE mark is a user-readable classification system that designates the features of the flue components. The features covered
A new dawn for chimney & flue industry?
BFCMA President Dennis Milligan discusses some of the significant developments in the chimney and flue industry over the past 12 months
include temperature and pressure rating, fire, condensate and corrosion resistance and distance to combustibles. Different flue gases require different classes of flue. The classification clearly indicates the flue that should be used with different applications. System chimneys are prefabricated flue systems produced to meet CE mark standards, unlike custom chimneys, which are built on-site from individual components. Using a system chimney gives the installer the confidence that the flue has been tested to the appropriate standards. The standard for the Design, Installation & Commissioning of Chimneys (BS EN15287) was revised in 2023; however, the UK Annex, which outlines practices specific to the UK, was not updated. The Annex has now been reviewed and is available for public feedback. The aim is to publish it at the beginning of next year so it can contribute to the review of Document J. Look out for the Annex because it introduces significant changes to the previous version. The BFCMA guide, Wood Burning & Multi Fuel in Residential Properties, will be revised to include the latest Annex.
10 December 2025 Secondary heating
SAP, the tool used to measure the energy efficiency of a house design, focuses on primary central heating systems like heat pumps. However, the heating system can be improved by adding a stove into the house design. While stoves are usually seen as a secondary heat source, they can actually keep an entire house warm during early autumn and late spring, when it’s not cold enough for central heating. Secondary heating plays a key role in many homes, particularly off the gas grid. As the operation of a stove is independent of the national grid it can be used in a power cut, providing welcome heat. During the cost-of-living crisis, when energy costs dramatically increased, the sales of modern wood burning stoves grew significantly. As a result of the developments in 2025, 2026
will be a year of change and opportunity with the publication of the Future Homes Standard, the UK Annex to BS EN15287 and hopefully a revised Approved Document J.
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