Part J - Heat producing appliances
Information can be viewed in  Building Regulations 2000 - Approved Document J - Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage (688 KB) or is available from the Communities and Local Government website (external link).
There are three main aspects to this part:
- Heat producing appliances must be provided with an adequate supply of fresh air to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning of a building's occupants from inadequate combustion;
- Chimneys and flues need to be adequately designed for safe discharge of smoke and other products of combustion to the outside air;
- Fireplaces and heat producing appliances should be designed and positioned so as to avoid the buildings structure from igniting.
Additional regulations have been added to Part J to ensure that:
- A permanent record of the performance of the capabilities of the hearth, fireplace, flue or chimney is provided within the premises for the users/occupiers to see and understand.
- Liquid storage systems are sited so as to reduce the risk of fuel igniting in the event of a fire.
- Oil storage tanks are constructed so as to reduce to a reasonable level the risk of oil escaping and causing pollution.
While these requirements are new to the Building Regulations they have existed for some time as guidance and requirements within other pieces of legislation. Their introduction to the Building Regulations is a continuation of government initiative to consolidate building legislation and regulation into a single primary source.
Main Changes in Part J of the 2002 Regulations
The new requirements J4, J5 and J6
(1) Requirement J4 calls for a notice providing the performance characteristics of the hearth, fireplace, flue or chimney to be fixed in an appropriate place. New guidance is given on appropriate locations and the information the notice should give.
(2) Requirement J5 calls for oil and liquid petroleum gas fuel storage to be positioned and/or shielded so as to protect them from fires that could occur in adjacent buildings or on adjacent property. New guidance is given.
(3) Requirement J6 makes provisions for protection against oil pollution of bore holes, water and drainage courses and for permanent labels containing information on how to respond to oil escapes to be positioned in a prominent position. New guidance is given on assessing the risk of pollution and the necessary, reasonable measures to contain leaks.
Existing requirements J1, J2 and J3
Amended guidance
Changes that apply to all fuels
(4) More comprehensive guidance is given on air supplies.
(5) Guidance is provided on checking the condition of both newly completed flues and flues that are to be brought back into service or used for a different type of appliance. This has enabled removal of 1 February 1966 cut-off date for chimneys built under former control. For existing chimneys found to be unsatisfactory, suitable relining systems for all fuel types are described.
(6) Guidance is given on minimum flue height and a limit is introduced on the number of bends that can be made. The maximum bend angle for a flue serving a solid fuel appliance is increased from 30º to 45º.
(7) The guidance on building masonry chimneys, which includes flueblock chimney for gas appliances, has been enhanced and clarified with more information on construction techniques.
(8) New guidance is given on the distancing of low-level flue outlets from property boundaries that complement recent changes in the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations.
(9) The guidance on avoiding unacceptable interaction between combustion installations and extract fans has been extended.
(10) New diagrams and examples have been incorporated by way of practical explanation.
Changes specific to installations fired by solid fuel
(11) Guidance is given on additional fire protection that may be needed on chimney breasts when buildings are converted to flats.
(12) Substantially more guidance is given on ways of building fireplaces. Fireplace recesses are illustrated and minimum thermal properties are given for the components of prefabricated appliance chambers.
Changes specific to installations fired by gas
(13) Three types of gas fire are distinguished: the radiant/convector fire, the decorative fuel effect fire and the more recently developed inset live fuel effect fire. Guidance is given on the ventilation, hearth, fireplace and flue provisions needed for each type.
(14) More extensive guidance is given for both fanned and natural draught appliances on safely distancing flue outlets from openings in buildings and combustible elements. The separation distances for the outlet from natural draught balanced flue appliances of more than 7kW input rating are increased. Guidance on the separation of flue outlets from roof surfaces has been introduced.
(15) There is new guidance on safe accommodation of fixed flueless gas heaters and on the use of plastic flues.
Changes specific to oil fired installations
(16) The guidance has been updated in line with safety provisions incorporated in BS 5410-1: 1997.
(17) The guidance makes reference to OFTEC Standards, pending the publication of European Standards.
More detailed guidance is given on the location of flue outlets.
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