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Protection of People and Buildings
73NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
A combustion appliance shall be so installed and any connected flue-pipe, flue or chimney shall be so constructed and installed as to ensure that their use shall not cause— (a) burns to any person; or
dwellingnon-domesticfire-safetyProtection of Liquid Fuel Storage Tanks
75NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Reasonable provision shall be made to ensure that a liquid fuel storage tank and connecting pipework is so constructed and separated from adjacent buildings and the boundary of the premises as to redu
dwellingnon-domesticfire-safetyPerformance requirements for combustion appliances
0.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
It is the view of the Department that the requirements of regulations 70, 71, 72, 73 and 74 in Part L will be met if the building provides for the safe accommodation of combustion appliances which – (
combustion-appliancesfire-safetyventilationSection 2 provisions overview
0.3NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
The guidance in Section 2 sets out the general provisions for combustion appliances that should be met, specifically air supply, flues, access for maintenance, notice plates for hearths and flues, and
combustion-appliancesventilationfire-safetyIntroduction to Section 6 - Oil and LPG Fuel Storage Protection
0.10NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Section 6 gives guidance – (a) on the measures to be taken to protect an oil or LPG fuel storage installation – (i) from a fire in the building it serves; and (ii) where the installation is located ad
fuel-storagefire-safetyoillpgFire compartment definition
NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Fire compartment – a building or part of a building comprising one or more rooms, spaces or storeys, constructed to prevent the spread of fire to or from another part of the same building, or an adjoi
fire-safetyFire resistance definition
NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Fire resistance (of a component or construction) – a measure of its ability to withstand the effects of fire in one or more ways for a stated period of time. Provisions on determination of performance
fire-safetystructuralFire wall definition
NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Fire wall – a method of shielding a fuel tank from the thermal radiation from a fire in the adjoining building or boundary.
fire-safetyfuel-storageNon-combustible material definition
NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Non-combustible material – This is the highest level of reaction to fire performance. A non-combustible material is – (a) a material classified as non-combustible in tests following the procedures in
fire-safetymaterial-specificationPrefabricated appliance chamber definition
NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Prefabricated appliance chamber – a set of factory-made pre-cast concrete components designed to provide a fireplace recess to accommodate an appliance such as a stove, and incorporates a gather when
combustion-appliancesfire-safetyDefined Terms: Separated Part
NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Separated part – of a building means a form of compartmentation in which part of a building is separated from another part of the same building by a compartment wall. (The wall runs the full height of
fire-safetyPositioning and installation of permanently open air vents
2.13NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
A permanently open air vent should be non-adjustable and be positioned where it is unlikely to become blocked. It should be so installed that the building occupants are not provoked into sealing it ag
ventilationfire-safetyExtract fan rate limits for gas appliances with open-flued combustion
2.17(a)NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
for a gas appliance – where a room contains an open-flued appliance, the room extract fan rate should not exceed 20 litres/second (72 m3/hour), and a spillage test as recommended in BS 5440: 1 should
gas-applianceopen-fluedventilationfire-safetyExtract fan rate limits for oil appliances with open-flued combustion
2.17(b)NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
for oil appliances – where a room contains an open-flued appliance the extract rate should be limited to 40 litres/second for an appliance with a pressure jet burner and 20 litres/second for an applia
oil-applianceopen-fluedventilationfire-safetyExtract fan installation for solid fuel appliances with open-flued combustion
2.17(c)NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
for a solid fuel appliance – a room extract fan should not be installed in the same room. If mechanical extraction is unavoidable then seek specialist advice from a mechanical/services engineer to ens
solid-fuel-applianceopen-fluedventilationfire-safetyFactory-made metal chimney distance from combustible materials
2.37NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
A factory-made metal chimney should be kept a safe distance away from any combustible material. For a chimney designated to BS EN 1856: 1 the following provisions are a reasonable method of achieving
non-domesticdwellingcombustion-appliancesfire-safetySeparation of Combustible Material from Factory-Made Metal Chimney
Diagram 2.5NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
No combustible material in shaded zone. Width of shaded zone at least equal to manufacturer's declared minimum distance (XX mm) as defined by testing to BS EN 1443: 2003 or 25 mm, whichever is the gre
fire-safetycombustion-applianceschimneyFactory-made metal chimney penetration through fire compartment
2.38NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Where a factory-made metal chimney penetrates a fire compartment wall or floor the casing of the chimney should comply with the requirements of Part E of the Building Regulations.
fire-safetynon-domesticFire, thermal and acoustic isolation of access hatches
2.39NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Any 'means of access' should not impair any fire, thermal or acoustic requirements of the Building Regulations. Where necessary, inspection panels or hatches should be fitted with resilient seals and
fire-safetycombustion-appliancesFlue completion checks
2.46NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
A flue should be checked at completion to ensure that it is free from obstructions, satisfactorily gas-tight and constructed with materials and components of sizes that suit the intended application.
combustion-appliancesflue-systemstestingfire-safetySection 3: Solid fuel burning appliances with rated heat output up to 50 kW
Section 3NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
This section sets out the additional guidance and provisions that should be met for a solid fuel burning combustion appliance over and above those provisions given in Section 2.
non-domesticcommercialfire-safetyenergyAir supply to appliances
3.1NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Any room or space containing a combustion appliance should have a permanent air vent opening of a size not less than that shown in Table 3.1. For an appliance designed to burn a range of different sol
non-domesticcommercialfire-safetyventilationManufacturer's installation instructions for air vents
3.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Where the manufacturer's installation instructions require greater areas of permanently open air vents than those specified in Table 3.1, the manufacturer's advice should be followed.
non-domesticcommercialfire-safetyventilationGeneral requirement for flue outlets
3.11NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
The outlet from a flue should be above the roof of the building in a position where the products of combustion can discharge freely and will not present a fire hazard, whatever the wind conditions.
non-domesticdwellingfire-safetyflueFlue outlet position in common circumstances
3.12NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
The flue outlet position, in common circumstances, should be in accordance with Table 3.3. However, the flue outlet position and/or separations shown in Table 3.3 may have to be increased, in particul
non-domesticdwellingfire-safetyflueFlue outlet positions for solid fuel appliances
Table 3.3NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Table 3.3 Flue outlet positions for solid fuel appliances Item 1 - At or within 600 mm of the ridge: Not less than 600 mm above the ridge. Item 2 - Elsewhere on a roof, whether pitched or flat: Not
non-domesticdwellingfire-safetyflueTreatment of vertical flues on outside walls
Table 3.3, Note 4NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
A vertical flue fixed to an outside wall should be treated as equivalent to an inside flue emerging at the nearest edge of the roof.
non-domesticdwellingfire-safetyflueFlue discharge clearances for readily ignitable roofs
3.13NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Where a flue discharges onto, or in close proximity to, a roof with a surface that is readily ignitable, such as thatch or shingles, the clearances to the flue outlet should be increased to that shown
fire-safetycoastalruralconservationRisk of spontaneous combustion in thatched roofs
3.13NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
It should be noted that thatched roofs can sometimes be vulnerable to spontaneous combustion caused by heat transferred from flues building up in thick layers of thatch in contact with the chimney. To
fire-safetyruralconservationAlternative flue liner materials for thatched roofs
3.13NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Non-metallic chimneys and cast in-situ flue liners can also be used provided the heat transfer to the thatch is assessed in relation to the depth of thatch and risk of spontaneous combustion.
fire-safetyruralconservationDiagram 3.2 - Flue outlet positions for readily ignitable roofs
Diagram 3.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Location of flue outlet A: not less than 1800 mm vertically above the weather surface and not less than 600 mm above the ridge. B: not less than 1800 mm vertically above the weather surface and not le
fire-safetycoastalruralconservationLocation and shielding of flue pipes - basic requirements
3.14NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
A flue pipe should only be used to connect an appliance to its flue. It should not pass through any roof space, partition, internal wall or floor, except to pass directly into a flue through either a
combustion-appliancesflue-systemsfire-safetyProtection of combustible materials from flue pipes
3.15NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
A flue pipe should be located so that it cannot ignite any combustible material. To ensure this – (a) follow the guidance in paragraph 2.37 where the connecting flue pipe is a factory-made metal chimn
combustion-appliancesflue-systemsfire-safetyDiagram 3.3 - Shield configuration for combustible material protection
Diagram 3.3NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
shields should either: a) extend beyond the flue pipe by at least 1.5 x D; or b) make any path between flue pipes and combustible material at least 3 x D long air space of at least 12 mm between non-c
combustion-appliancesflue-systemsfire-safetysolid-fuelDebris collection space
3.16NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Where a flue cannot be cleaned through the appliance, a debris collecting space that is accessible for emptying and suitably sized opening(s) for cleaning should be provided at appropriate locations i
fire-safetynon-domesticdwellingMasonry and flue block chimneys
3.17NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Masonry chimneys should be built in accordance with paragraphs 2.21 and 2.22. Flue block chimneys should be built in accordance with paragraphs 2.23 and 2.24. The minimum chimney thickness and distanc
fire-safetydwellingnon-domesticSeparation of combustible material from fireplaces and flues
3.18NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Combustible material should not be located where the heat dissipating through the walls of a fireplace or flue could ignite it. The minimum separation distances for combustible material should be – (a
fire-safetyprotection-from-fallingdwellingnon-domesticHearth Construction Requirements
3.22NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
A hearth should be constructed of suitably robust materials and to appropriate dimensions so that, in normal use, it prevents the combustion appliance setting fire to the building fabric and furnishin
fire-safetyprotection-from-fallingHearth for Independently Certified Low-Temperature Appliances
3.23NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Where an appliance is not to be located in an appliance recess and it has been independently certified that it cannot cause the temperature of the hearth to exceed 100ºC, it should stand wholly on a h
fire-safetyConstructional Hearth Dimensions and Materials
3.24NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
A constructional hearth should – (a) have plan dimensions not less than those shown in Diagram 3.7; and (b) be made of solid, non-combustible material, such as concrete or masonry, not less than 125 m
fire-safetyCombustible material beneath constructional hearth
3.25NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Combustible material should not be placed beneath a constructional hearth unless – (a) there is an air-space of not less than 50 mm between the underside of the hearth and the combustible material; or
non-domesticdwellingfire-safetyprotection-from-fallingConstructional hearth dimensions for solid fuel appliances
3.7NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Diagram 3.7 Constructional hearth suitable for a solid fuel appliance (including open fires) (a) Fireplace recess: 840 mm width, 150 mm projection from jamb (b) Freestanding: 840 mm width, 500 mm pro
dwellingnon-domesticfire-safetyDiagram 3.10: Typical hearth installations
Diagram 3.10NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Diagram 3.10 Typical hearth installations (a) Appliance that cannot cause hearth temperature to exceed 100°C appliance clearances from Diagram 3.9, non-combustible board or tile 12 mm, constructional
non-domesticcombustion-appliancesfire-safetyhearth-constructionFireplace recesses and prefabricated appliance chambers
3.30NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Fireplaces should be designed and constructed so that they adequately protect the building fabric from catching fire. They should be built utilising – (a) a fireplace recess of masonry or concrete as
combustion-appliancesfire-safetydwellingconstructionMinimum thickness of components for prefabricated appliance chambers
Table 3.5NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Table 3.5 Minimum thickness of components for prefabricated appliance chambers Component | Minimum thickness (mm) Base | 50 Side section, forming wall on either side of chamber | 75 Back section, for
combustion-appliancesfire-safetydwellingconstructionFireplace lining components
3.31NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
A fireplace recess should be protected from the heat of the combustion appliance by suitable fireplace lining components as shown in Diagram 3.12, or by lining the recess with suitable firebricks.
non-domesticdwellingfire-safetyWalls adjacent to hearths
3.32NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Walls that are not part of a fireplace recess or a prefabricated appliance chamber, but are adjacent to a hearth or appliance, should protect the building from catching fire. They should be constructe
non-domesticdwellingfire-safetyDimensions of solid non-combustible walls adjacent to hearths
Table 3.6NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Location of hearth or appliance | Solid non-combustible material Thickness (T) | Height (H) where the hearth abuts a wall and the appliance is not more than 50 mm from the wall | 200 mm | not less th
dwellingnon-domesticfire-safetyWalls adjacent to hearths - diagram and clearances
Diagram 3.13NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
Diagram 3.13 shows walls adjacent to hearths with clearances from Diagram 3.9, height H as per Table 3.6, solid non-combustible material (e.g. masonry or concrete), appliance position, distance X with
dwellingnon-domesticfire-safetyGas fires installation requirements
4.2NI-wide·Technical Booklet L Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems
A gas fire should be installed in a fireplace that has – (a) a flue designed specifically for a gas appliance; or (b) a flue designed to serve a solid fuel appliance, provided it can be shown to be sa
non-domesticdwellingfire-safetycombustion-appliances