Frequently Asked Questions

If the installation is above ground the requirements will be applied to achieve adequate shielding of the tank from any surrounding fire and, in the case of an oil tank, containment of oil leakages so that ground water is not contaminated. Where new oil connecting pipework is proposed, a fire valve will be needed at the point where the pipe enters the building.

If you are installing an oil tank and/or connecting pipework and you employ an installer registered with OFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry), you will not need to involve a Building Control Service, as they will do this for you.

If the work involves the provision of a new or replacement flue or flue liner, or the provision of a new or replacement hearth, fireplace or chimney you will need permission. Please also refer to the question below Do I need permission to install, replace or alter the position of any type of fuel burning appliance (including a gas boiler with a flue)?

If the work amounts to no more than alterations to fireplaces, hearths, flues and chimneys it may not be subject to the Building Regulations. It is vital that flues should operate efficiently, and that risks of the building catching fire or of people suffering burns should be minimised.

For specific information on your project please contact us.

In general, but with certain limitations, the registered installers may also carry out associated building work necessary to ensure that the appliance complies with the Building Regulations, without involving a Building Control Service . This may include work on a hearth, fireplace or flue.

The installer should provide you with information about the safety performance limits of the installation and also fix a notice plate in place, where it will be easily seen. If you are having a boiler installed, your installer should leave you with a completed installation record; a commissioning certificate such as the one produced by the BENCHMARK scheme; and a User Instruction Manual.

You will need permission for all gas appliances, however if you employ a GAS SAFE registered installer with the relevant competencies to carry out the work, you will not need to involve a Building Control Service as they will do all of this for you.

For solid fuel appliances you will need permission however if the building is no more than three storeys and you employ an installer registered with HETAS (Heating Equipment Testing and Approval Scheme) to carry out the work, you will not need to involve a Building Control Service, as they will do this for you

For oil appliances you will need permission however if the building is no more than three storeys and you employ an installer registered withOFTEC (Oil Firing Technical Association for the Petroleum Industry) to carry out the work, you will not need to involve a Building Control Service as they will do this for you.

you will need permission if you install a flueless gas appliance, however if you employ a GAS SAFE registered installer with the relevant competencies to carry out the work, you will not need to involve a Building Control Service, as they will sort this all out for you.

There are two types of system and both need permission.

• When installing or replacing a hot water cylinder within an unvented hot water storage system (i.e. a system supplied directly from the water mains with no open-ended pipe for venting with storage capacity greater than 15 litres). The requirements are for hot water to be safely stored under pressure and for the installation to be energy efficient. The cylinder should be installed by a person competent.
• When installing or replacing a hot water cylinder within a vented hot water storage system (i.e. a system fed from an open-ended pipe for venting). The requirements are for the installation to be energy efficient. If you employ an installer registered with the Institute of Plumbing for a vented system, you will not need to involve a Building Control Service.

For either type of system your installer should leave you with a completed installation record and commissioning certificate such as the one produced by the BENCHMARK scheme. Some manufacturers attach BENCHMARK certificates to cylinders ready for installers to complete.