and terminations (continued)

Guidance and regulations

When deciding where a chimney/flue and its terminal should be installed, you must consult the following guidance and comply with regulations:

Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 (GSIUR)

These regulations are the law and must be adhered to. Regulation 27(5) states: “No person shall install a flue other than in a safe position.”

Guidance Note 258 of the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance to the GSIUR then states: “A flue (including any terminal) should be installed in a position which ensures it will operate effectively and the products of combustion will safely disperse and not present a hazard to any person, whether in the premises in which the associated appliance is installed (eg, by being located a safe distance from openings in the property such as air vents, openable windows, and doors), or in adjoining/ neighbouring premises. The location decided needs to take in to account any possible developments in neighbouring property, eg, building extensions.”

Important: A plume management kit may not be used to circumvent the requirement to locate the flue correctly in the first instance. However, it may be an option to safely overcome a problem if the boiler manufacturer gives their permission for this. Plume management kits must be installed strictly in accordance with the appliance manufacturer’s instructions. Installing the flue in a high position or a vertical termination is generally the best option to avoid nuisance pluming.

Manufacturer’s installation instructions

The chimney/flue installation must always be in accordance with the MIs. Any diversion from these must be confirmed in writing by the appliance manufacturer as being acceptable because this will provide a written record. You can find and complete a Request for Concession to the Manufacturer’s Instructions by logging into your Gas Safe Register online account and choosing the Resource Hub at: www.GasSafeRegister. co.uk/sign-in

You can also find guidance on requesting a concession to the manufacturer’s instructions in Technical Bulletin (TB) 158.

Approved Document J, Building Regulations

These regulations are the law and must be adhered to: in some instances, the appliance instructions will refer you to these regulations. You can download the Approved Document and its guidance free from www.gov.uk

BS 5440-1:2008

This standard gives guidance on how to comply with the relevant regulations. You should use it where there are no manufacturer’s instructions if you’re working on an appliance or installing a previously used appliance.

Further technical guidance

Technical Bulletins cover various aspects of flueing. You can read and download them by logging into your online account at: www.GasSafeRegister.co.uk/sign-in

• TB 007: Room sealed (natural/fanned draught) and open flue (fanned draught) appliance flues terminating within covered passageways (Ginnels). Published 01/07/2015.

• TB 008 Edition 3: Existing concealed room-sealed fan draught boiler chimney/flue systems. Published 15/07/2015.

• TB 016: Room-sealed flue/chimney terminations – Possible nuisance from fumes and the use of plume management kits. Published 02/08/2017.

• TB 139: Room-sealed fanned-draught vertical condensing flexible flues concealed within voids. Published 01/03/2012.

• TB 147: Clarification between “manufactured” and “connection” chimney/flue joints Edition 2. Published 19/04/2022.

• TB 152: Securing and sealing horizontal chimney terminations. Published 02/01/2018.

Bibliography

BS 5440-1:2008: Flueing and ventilation for gas appliances of rated input not exceeding 70kW net (1st, 2nd and 3rd family gases) Part 1: Specification for installation of gas appliances to chimneys and for maintenance of chimneys