Planning/Regs - requirements.

richard1600 · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 10:14 am

1- Emmersion tank is being moved from downstairs to upstairs. apart from the electrics being certified does this require any form of permission??

2- wood burning fire being fitted in living room. i imagine this requires building permission? if i have compnay to fit-should they deal with all required??

many thanks

Richard C · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:18 am

richard1600 wrote:

1- Emmersion tank is being moved from downstairs to upstairs. apart from the electrics being certified does this require any form of permission??

Buildign Regulaions apply;

For installing or replacing an unvented cylinder the requirements are for hot water to be safely stored under pressure and for the installation to be energy efficient. An unvented cylinder must only be installed by a person competent to do so.

For installing or replacing a hot water cylinder within a vented hot water storage system (for example: a system fed from an open-ended pipe for venting) the requirements are for the installation to be energy efficient.
For either type of system your installer should leave you with a completed installation record and commissioning certificate.

richard1600 wrote:

2- wood burning fire being fitted in living room. i imagine this requires building permission? if i have compnay to fit-should they deal with all required??

As this comes up so often, I’ve put together this generic post; read the links but not all may apply to you.

You can DIY but you need to understand the Building Regs (which changed in October 10), submit a Building Notice & pay a fee. Your LABC will inspect &, assuming everything is OK, issue you with a compliance certificate; the BI may want also to witness smoke & spillage tests.

Lots of archive threads on this, & other things you have to watch out for, here a few links for you to read:
http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/stove_building_regulations.html
http://www.hetas.co.uk/public/certificates.html
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/pdfs/buidling_regs_consumer%20leaflet.pdf
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=183614
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=211524
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=242738
http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=224751

Some more sobering links in case you think it’s all a load of old tosh:
http://www.solidfuel.co.uk/main_pages/news.htm
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1273882/Teenager-dies-summerhouse-wood-burning-stove-leaks-carbon-monoxide.html
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/warning_over_heaters_after_norfolk_couple_s_death_1_811099

By far the easiest/safest route is to use a registered HETAS installer who will do all the necessary work, commission the stove & provide you with a certificate of compliance. You can use one of the many stove shops around but you will find it much cheaper to employ an independent installer who is happy for you to source your own stove, liner & ancillaries & even undertake the necessary building work but do check with them first. You can download a list of local installers here;
http://www.hetas.co.uk/nearest_member

Get at least 3 quotes & you might be pleasantly surprised; you should ask yourself if you really want all the hassle & risk getting it wrong & climbing onto a roof with an 8M stainless steel snake on your back is not for the feint hearted!

richard1600 · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:03 pm

Thanks very much,.,...

i dont plan on doing any of it myself... therefore, for tank,, the plumber should give somesort of installation certs--- but no planning permission required...

and heater,,, the compnay should deal with all required...

thanks very much

Richard C · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 1:25 pm

richard1600 wrote:

i dont plan on doing any of it myself... therefore, for tank,, the plumber should give somesort of installation certs--- but no planning permission required...

No planning required, it’s only Building Regulation which is entirely different. Just make sure the guy is qusalified/regstered to do the work, fills in the certificate that will be on the side of the cylinder; he may also give you a paper one but am unsure.

richard1600 wrote:

and heater,,, the compnay should deal with all required...

It’s important the installer is HETAS registered & he will instal test & comission & give you a certificate of compliance after the installation; otherwise or you will have to notify LABC & get it inspected & certified by them.

I would advise yo to read all the links I posted as it’s important you don't try & refinish around the stove with gypsum plaster, it won’t stand the heat & will fall off.