Chimney height approval and installing a furnace

It is important that the height of any chimney is sufficient to avoid the likelihood of particles becoming harmful to health or a nuisance.

Under Section 14 of the Clean Air Act, unless the height of a chimney has been approved by the local authority and any conditions attached to approval have been complied with, it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit a furnace to be used to:

• burn pulverised fuel
• burn at a rate of 45.4kg or more per hour any other solid matter; or
• burn at a rate equivalent to 366.4 kilowatts or more of any liquid or gaseous matter

These are commercial burning conditions and it is not expected that domestic furnaces would require this type of approval.

Chimney height

Application for chimney height approval for a furnace:

• must contain adequate information to enable the necessary calculations to be carried out
• must be submitted online and the supporting documents should be emailed to Environmental Health Team
• we must consider your application and provide a written decision within 28 days of receipt, unless it is agreed in writing that a longer period is allowed
• if we fail to deal with the application within this time period, then approval without qualification can be given

Apply for approval of the height of chimney stack

Installing a furnace

Council approval is required to install a commercial furnace, grit and dust arrestment plant where appropriate.

Notice of proposal to install a commercial furnace