When to use this guide
- Installing or changing a stove, combustion appliance, flue or chimney
- Reviewing appliance air supply or nearby construction
- Checking commissioning, information and applicable CO-alarm provisions
What to check
Use these prompts with the responsible project team. Ticking a box does not certify compliance.
You can tick these prompts while reviewing the project.
Keep these records
- Appliance and flue specifications and installation information
- Commissioning/certification and relevant notifications
- Operating, servicing and safety information
Common mistakes
- Treating a CO alarm as a substitute for a safe installation and maintained flue.
- Copying clearances or installation details from a different appliance.
When to get specialist help
Use a competent installer appropriate to the fuel and activity. If fumes or unsafe operation are suspected, stop using the appliance and obtain appropriate safety assistance rather than relying on an online diagnosis.
Scope and edition
2010 edition incorporating 2010, 2013 and 2022 amendments; 2022 changes effective 1 October 2022 extend carbon-monoxide alarm guidance. Check project applicability. Use competent installation and testing appropriate to appliance and fuel. Consider ventilation, flue routes and CO detection together.
Air supply, combustion-product discharge and building protection for solid-fuel, gas and oil appliances, including hearths, flues and chimneys.
Use the official source to check the current text, amendments not yet incorporated, commencement and project-specific transition. A published future edition is not automatically the rule applying to your work.
Official sources
- GOV.UK — Approved Document JOfficial England guidance; check the applicable volume, edition and transition.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/combustion-appliances-and-fuel-storage-systems-approved-document-j
Source links lead to external official websites. We provide original explanatory notes and do not reproduce paid standards.
About this library
Independent, plain-English reference notes by Saeed Azarshab. The library covers the 42 subjects listed here; it is not every law affecting construction, an official government publication or a project-specific compliance decision. Building Regulations, Approved Documents, workplace safety duties and planning permissions have different roles.
Editorial source review: . Check the current official text, commencement dates, outstanding amendments and transitional arrangements before relying on a requirement. Publication date is not necessarily the date a rule applies. A relevant competent professional or authority must resolve project-specific questions.
Sources and lawful reuse
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated. These are original practical summaries, with links to the official material. No government endorsement is implied. We do not host copies of proprietary BS, ISO or Eurocode standards, third-party diagrams or publisher layouts. Check each source’s rights notice before reuse.
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