Introduction
This document has been published by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government under Article 7 of the Building Regulations 1997. It provides guidance in relation to Part J of the Second Schedule to the Regulations. The document should be read in conjunction with the Building Regulations 1997-2014, and other documents published under these Regulations.
In general, Building Regulations apply to the construction of new buildings and to extensions and material alterations to buildings. In addition, certain parts of the Regulations apply to existing buildings where a material change of use takes place. Otherwise, Building Regulations do not apply to buildings constructed prior to 1 June 1992.
Transitional arrangements
In general, this document applies to works, or buildings in which a material change of use takes place, where the works or the change of use commence or takes place, as the case may be on or after 1 September 2014. Technical Guidance Document J - Heat Producing Appliances, dated 1997, also ceases to have effect from that date. However, the latter document may continue to be used in the case of works, or buildings in which a material change of use takes place, where the works, material alteration or the change of use commence or takes place, as the case may be, before 1 September 2014.
The guidance
The materials, methods of construction, standards and other specifications (including technical specifications) which are referred to in this document are those which are likely to be suitable for the purposes of the Regulations. Where works are carried out in accordance with the guidance in this document, this will, prima facie, indicate compliance with Part J of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations. However, the adoption of an approach other than that outlined in the guidance is not precluded provided that the relevant requirements of the Regulations are complied with. Those involved in the design and construction of a building may be required by the relevant building control authority to provide such evidence as is necessary to establish that the requirements of the Building Regulations are being complied with.
Existing buildings
In the case of material alterations or changes of use of existing buildings, the adoption without modification of the guidance in this document may not, in all circumstances, be appropriate. In particular, the adherence to guidance, including codes, standards or technical specifications, intended for application to new work may be unduly restrictive or impracticable. Buildings of architectural or historical interest are especially likely to give rise to such circumstances. In these situations, alternative approaches based on the principles contained in the document may be more relevant and should be considered.
Technical specifications
Building Regulations are made for specific purposes, i.e. to secure the health, safety and welfare of persons, energy conservation and access for people with disabilities. Technical specifications (including harmonised European Standards, European Technical Assessments, National Standards and Agrément Certificates) are relevant to the extent that they relate to these considerations. Any reference to a technical specification is a reference to so much of the specification as is relevant in the context in which it arises. Technical specifications may also address other aspects not covered by the Regulations.
A reference to a technical specification is to the latest edition (including any amendments, supplements or addenda) current at the date of publication of this Technical Guidance Document. However, if this version of the technical specification is subsequently revised or updated by the issuing body, the new version may be used as a source of guidance provided that it continues to address the relevant requirements of the Regulations.
Materials and workmanship
Under Part D of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations, building work to which the Regulations apply must be carried out with proper materials and in a workmanlike manner. Guidance in relation to compliance with Part D is contained in Technical Guidance Document D.
Interpretation
In this document, a reference to a section, sub-section, part, paragraph or diagram is, unless otherwise stated, a reference to a section, sub-section, part, paragraph or diagram, as the case may be, of this document. A reference to another Technical Guidance Document is a reference to the latest edition of a document published by the Minister for the Environment Community and Local Government under Article 7 of the Building Regulations 1997. Diagrams are used in this document to illustrate particular aspects of construction - they may not show all the details of construction.
The Requirement
Part J of the Second Schedule to the Building Regulations 2014, provides as follows: -
J1 - Air supply.
A heat producing appliance shall be so installed that there is an adequate supply of air to it for combustion, to prevent overheating and for the efficient working of any flue pipe or chimney serving the appliance.
J2(a) - Discharge of products of combustion.
A heat producing appliance shall have adequate provision for the discharge of the products of combustion to the outside air.
J2(b) - Warning of release of Carbon Monoxide.
Reasonable provision shall be made to avoid danger to the health and safety of the occupants of a dwelling caused by the release of carbon monoxide from heat producing appliances.
J3 - Protection of building.
A heat producing appliance and any flue pipe shall be so designed and installed, and any fireplace and any chimney shall be so designed and constructed, as to reduce to a reasonable level the risk of the building catching fire in consequence of its use.
J4(a) - Provision of information.
Where a hearth, fireplace, flue or chimney is provided or extended, a durable notice containing information on the type of heat producing appliance which can be safely served by the hearth, fireplace, flue or chimney shall be affixed in a suitable place in the
building.
J4(b) - Provision of information.
Information on the system installed and any continuing maintenance required, to ensure its safe and effective operation and avoid risk to health, shall be provided to the owner.
J5 - Fuel storage system – protection against spread of fire to the system.
A fixed fuel storage system, which serves a heat producing appliance, and any associated pipework carrying fuel to that appliance, shall be so located as to reduce to a reasonable level the risk of fuel ignition due to fire spreading from the building being served or an adjacent building or premises.
J6 - Liquid fuel storage system – protection against pollution by the system.
A fixed liquid fuel storage tank, which serves a heat producing appliance, and the pipes connecting it to that appliance shall be so located, constructed and protected as to reduce to a reasonable level the risk of the fuel escaping and causing pollution.
J7 - Definitions.
In this Part, "heat producing appliance" means a fixed appliance (including a cooker and an open fire) which is designed to burn solid fuel, oil, bio-fuel or gas and includes an incinerator.
