Building Regulations -
Domestic Heating Appliances

This page is intended to provide awareness and information to contractors engaged in the installation of heating appliances, heating systems and associated works within existing dwellings. It gives advice on:

when Building Regulation applications are necessary
how to make an application
general requirements

The need for this guidance has been highlighted by solicitors when carrying out conveyancing for house sales and finding that the necessary statutory approvals have not been obtained for certain works, namely:

installation of new heating appliances, heating systems and associated works
converting existing heating appliances, e.g. from open fire to room heater, oil, gas appliances etc.
carrying out associated works, e.g. new flue, altering existing flue, fitting heating controls, insulation of heating services, cutting and drilling of structural floor joists etc.

It should be noted that works to the gas main and associated appliances can only be carried out by a qualified engineer.

Building Regulations

The purposes of Building Regulations are:

to protect the health and safety of both occupants within buildings and those in close proximity to them
to ensure any products of combustion are safely discharged into the atmosphere
to ensure combustion process temperatures do not present any fire safety risk
to ensure conservation of fuel and power through the fitting of appropriate thermostatic controls and thermal insulation to pipes and hot water storage cylinders etc.

When is notification required?

An application or notice is required before any work affecting heat-producing appliances, flues or associated constructions is carried out.

A person who intends to only install a heat-producing appliance need not inform the local authority provided the installation is carried out by a person (or the employee of a person) apporved under the Gas Safety Regulations, for instance a CORGI registered installer.

Charges

A charge will be payable.

Works

The Building Control service must be notified prior to works being carried out on site.

Once notified, site inspections will be carried out to ensure technical performance standards in the design specification and installation process have been complied with.

On satisfactory completion of the works a Completion Certificate will be issued which will indicate that the works are in compliance with the Building Regulations performance standards.

Notification

Contractors should be aware of Building Regulation criteria and procedures associated with the installation of heating appliances, heating systems and associated construction works.

Generally it is the dwelling owner who gives the appropriate notification, pays the fees and then engages a contractor to carry out the work. However, a contractor may be engaged to carry out the whole or part of this process.

Regardless of who gives notification, the contractor must notify the Building Control service prior to carrying out any works.

Failure to follow the necessary procedures is a contravention of the Building Regulations and is subject to enforcement procedures.

Failure to follow the procedures and obtain a Completion Certificate may affect future house sales, e.g.

stall or cancel the sale
incur additional costs at a later stage to regularise the mistake
attract enforcement procedures