If you are intending to carry out one of the following activities, and one or more of the requirements listed below is met, you will need to seek approval for the chimney or flue:
- Construct a new chimney
- Increase the combustion space of an existing furnace
- Add a new furnace to an existing installation
- Change the fuel burnt in an existing furnace
- Replace a furnace with one having a larger combustion space
The Clean Air Act introduced a wide range of new regulations such as those which control smoke emissions and the height of chimneys and those relating to the content and composition of motor fuels.
Under the Clean Air Act, unless the height of the chimney has been approved by us and any conditions attached to approval adhered to, it is an offence to:
- cause or knowingly permit a furnace to be used for certain combustion processes
- burn pulverised fuel at a rate of 45.4 kg or more an hour any other solid matter
- burn at a rate equivalent to 366.4 kW or more any liquid or gaseous matter
Apply for approval
An application for chimney height approval must contain adequate information to enable the necessary calculations to be carried out.
Use the application application form below to apply:
Download Chimney Height Approval Application Form
What action we will take
We must consider an application for approval for chimney height for a furnace and give a written decision within 28 days of receipt, unless it is agreed in writing between us and the applicant that a longer period is allowed.
If we fail to deal with the application within this time period, then approval without qualification is given.
