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.
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.