Approved Document J - Combustion Appliances and Fuel Storage Systems

Approved Document J
(download from Planning Portal)

MAIN CHANGES IN THE 2002 EDITION

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 systems 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.

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 the 1st Feb 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 30" to 45'.

7. The guidance on building masonry chimneys, which includes flueblock chimneys for gas appliances, has been enhanced and clarified with more information on construction technique.

8. New guidance is given on the distancing of low level flue outlets from property boundaries that complements 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.

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.

13. Three types of gas fire are distinguished: the radianthonvector 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 outlets 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.

16. The guidance has been updated in line with the safety provisions incorporated in

17. The guidance makes reference to OFTEC Standards, pending the publication of European Standards. location of flue outlets. BS 541 0-1 11997.

18. More detailed guidance is given on the location of flue outlets.