Ant Wilson warns about Part J Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems, the forgotten Building Regulation Approved Document, which comes in effect on October 1
This is the forgotten new Building Regulation Approved Document, which comes into effect on 1st October 2010.
Part L, Conservation for Fuel and Power takes the limelight among the new regulations with Part F on Ventilation playing second fiddle. And be warned, we cannot afford to overlook the new guidance on combustion appliances.
There is a brand new requirement; J2A of the Part J Regulations entitled Warning of Release of Carbon Monoxide, which requires carbon monoxide alarms to be fitted where solid fuel appliances are installed.
The low carbon agenda has also been seen to promote biofuels. Section 4 of the Approved Document J now explicitly includes liquid biofuel and blends of mineral oil and liquid biofuel within the scope of combustion installations designed to burn oil.
The main changes in the October 2010 edition of Part J provide new guidance for access for visual inspection of concealed flues to ensure that flues can be properly inspected throughout the life of the system.
As with Approved Document F on Ventilation, which has increased ventilation openings for more airtight houses (less than or equal to 5.0 m
3/(h.m
2) at 50pa air permeability), the new Part J includes an increase in ventilation openings for flued appliances. Appendix F provides advice on assessing air permeability of older dwellings. Appendix B covers the evaluation of opening areas of large or unusual fireplaces.
Section 5 of Approved Document J identifies where secondary containment for an oil tank is necessary. Appendix A provides useful checklists for the checking and testing of hearths, fireplaces, flues and chimneys.
Appendix E covers methods of checking compliance with requirement J2 on
Discharge of products of combustion. Appendix G on European Chimney Designations clearly explains the European system for flue and chimney products. Appendix H has been fully updated to provide useful addresses and references to relevant British and European Standards and other publications.