Pollution control - clean air act approval

The introduction of The Clean Air Act 1993, required large boiler and furnace installations, chimney heights and associated arrestment plant to be approved by local authorities. This enables the Council to ensure that pollution levels near the ground will not be at a concentration that may be detrimental to health, or cause a nuisance, and to prevent any flue gases from entering neighbouring buildings.

Which furnaces need approval

Commercial furnaces require approval from the local authority if they:

• Burn pulverised fuel
• Burn solid matter at a rate of 45.5kg or more an hour
• Burn liquid or gaseous matter at a rate equivalent to 366.4 KW

Approval of Chimney Height

 The local authority must also consider and approve the height of the chimney from the furnace. Approval  will only be given once the City Council are satisfied that the proposed height of the chimney will be sufficient to ensure, as far as practicable, the smoke, grit, dust and gases emitted from the chimney will not be prejudicial to health or cause a nuisance.

Approval may be granted unconditionally or subject to conditions (i.e. the rate of quality of emissions). Should the Local Authority decide not to approve the proposed height then written notification will be given stating the reasons why and specifying the minimum height thought to be acceptable.

An application for chimney height approval must contain adequate information to enable the necessary calculations to be carried out.

• Chimney Height Application Form

The Local Authority are required to provide a response within 28 days of receipt of the application. Failure on the Councils part to deal with the application within the agreed time period results in approval being given without qualification. There is no charge for this service.

Exemptions:

It is not necessary to apply for a chimney height approval for the following:

• A temporary replacement boiler or plant which is being maintained or repaired.
• A temporary source of heat or power for building, construction works or research
• Auxiliary plant used to bring other plant to an operating temperature
• A mobile or transportable source of heat or power for agricultural operations.  

Contact Us

Environmental Quality can be contacted for further information by:

Telephone: 01228 817000
Online Form: Online Enquiry
Email: Environmentalquality@carlisle.gov.uk
Letter :

Environmental Quality Section

Community Services, 

Carlisle City Council, 

Civic Centre,

Carlisle CA3 8QG