REPORT TO
THE MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
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3/09/6 | 26 September 2011 |
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Wood Pellet Stoves. |
1. Purpose of the Report.
To inform the Minister of comments received in response to the published notice outlining proposed changes to the building bye-law requirements relating to the installation of combustion appliances. It proposes that in light of the unfavourable comments received, that further investigation of the matter is needed before making any decision to relax or dispense with current bye-law requirements.
- Responses to the public notices inviting comments on the proposed changes.
Notice was published in accordance with the Planning and Building (Building Bye- laws) (Jersey) order 2007, on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of September 2011. In total six written comments were received from interested parties. Three from potential purchasers of wood pellet stoves and three from industry professionals. A summary of the comments received, together with the department’s response to those comments is given in Appendix 1 to this report. Copies of the letters received are attached in Appendix 2.
- General comment.
The Minister’s proposal is to treat wood pellet stoves as a new class of heating appliance as per the National fire Prevention Association design code 211, and permit vents from such appliances to discharge at low level.
Comments received from the Solid Fuel Association, which is the recognised authority for advice on safety of solid fuel combustion appliances in the UK has questioned this approach, as it is unclear to them, what degree of expertise the NFPA may have in effective evacuation of flue gasses.
This comment is supported by the fact that when one refers to the NFPA document it is apparent that there is no specific guidance relating to the design of chimneys or vents, although Chapter four of the NFPA 211 document does sets out the general requirements for a chimney or vent, which include the following :
‘a chimney or vent shall be so designed and constructed to develop a flow sufficient to remove completely all flue gases to the outside atmosphere.’
‘chimneys or vents shall be evaluated to ensure proper performance with respect to draft, creosote build-up and condensation.’
‘the venting system shall satisfy the draft requirements of the connected appliance in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions or approved methods. ‘
‘ the operation of a mechanical draft system shall not adversely affect the performance or safety of, or cause spillage of combustion products from, other combustion equipment operating with the same building.’
It would seem from the above that the NPFA guidance relies on specialist design and testing for the evacuation of flue gasses. This supports the departments’ view that if low level / horizontal venting for wood pellet stoves, are to be permitted, the installer should provide appropriate test evidence to show the appliance and proposed flue arrangement has been tested as a unit, and that it complies with an appropriate recognised standard.
The department is concerned that relaxing of the bye-law standards is being considered when it is known regulations in France have recently been tightened in relation to the fitting of wood pellet stoves, and that French regulations now mirror the Jersey building bye-laws. It is presumed regulators in France had a good reason for doing this.
Bearing in mind that anyone wishing to install a wood pellet stove can do so, provided they fit a traditional flue /chimney, which can be a factory made metal chimney that is relatively simple to install, it is unclear to the writer why a change to the bye-laws needs to be made. Certainly, in view of the comments received from industry professionals it is considered further work to understand the potential safety risks of making any change to the bye-laws needs to be done.
- Recommendation
The Minister defers his decision on the matter until such time as appropriate independent test evidence is available that demonstrates the effectiveness of pellet vents fitted with mechanical draft systems.
Written by: | Director – Building Control |
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