Flue problem

[jaykayem]

After hours of fruitless Googling I thought I'd see if any of you could offer some advice.

A neighbour, whose listed bungalow sits very close to my two- storey house, has recently installed a wood burner and erected a metal flue. Unfortunately the 'hat' of the flue sits less than three metres away at a level slightly below one of my first storey windows (kiddie bedroom). The smoke from the flue just seems to hang around, and when the prevailing wind does blow, it directs the smoke straight into my window. The upshot is that I now can't open the window, especially if it's windy. I've ordered a CO detector to check levels; although I can't smell smoke, I imagine something wil be getting through my old single glazing.

My neighbour hasn't had permission for this installation, and her son fitted it for her seemingly on a whim. I do sympathise with her, because as an elderly woman, she needs all the heat she can get up here in the Peaks, but surely this is a health and safety hazard? The smoke moreover just seems to hang around the vicinity without dispersing.

We are on very good terms with her, so I do want to tread particularly carefully. I will broach the subject with her as amenably as I can, but basically I want it taken down. Is this reasonable?

Thanks for any help, it's awful to have to challenge a friendly neighbour like this!

 

[jocelyn plummer]

I think that others will confirm my thoughts that there are probably some fairly straight forward regulations about that sort of thing. Should not be too much of a problem to sort out amicably. Wait for others to respond, gather some facts before you do anything, that way you should be able to chat it over with your Neighbour.

 

[Flyfisher]

I agree about starting with an amicable chat about the issue, which should be easy if you're already on good terms. If you start from a position of wanting to help then hopefully things can be sorted out in a friendly manner.

I'm not familiar with the detailed regulations about such flues, but it doesn't sound right to be level with a closely neighbouring window. A HETAS-qualified installer should be able to advise as should the council building control department. If the work was done by your neightbour's helpful son then it is probably not a certified installation (assuming the son is not a HETAS installer), which I understand would be illegal and the council would be able to enforce its removal or modification. I wonder if it would be possible to raise the height of the flue so that it is above your roof-line?

There is also the issue of your neighbour not having permission for such works to a listed building, so I'd say it will be difficult to resolve the situation without the council becoming involved, but hopefully not in a heavy-handed, threatening way that might upset your elderly neighbour.

 

[MattW]

The flue has to comply with Part J of the Building Regulations. http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/br/BR_PDF_ADJ_2002.pdf. The relevant sections for solid fuel fires that you might want to look at are:

Diagram 17 shows that a flue must be as least 600mm above the ridge of a pitched roof or 1000mm above the surface of a flat roof. If there is another building within 2300mm (adjoining or adjacent whether or not beyond the boundary) then the flue must be 600mm above the height of the adjoining building.

If your property is further than 2.3m away from your neighbours, you might want to consider section 2.10 that states that " The outlet from a flue should be above the roof of the building in a position where the products of combustion can discharge freely and will not present a fire hazard, whatever the wind conditions."

Finally, does the flue require planning permission or listed building consent?

 

[jaykayem]

Thanks for these comments. We will start with a wee chat and see what happens. I don't want to raise the spectre of regulation unless as a very last resort, but I would like to know what the legal situation is before any chat, so will have a good read of Part J thanks Matt. I'm not sure whether our house is within 2.3m.

Would I be best to call someone at HETAS or the council first off? I don't want to alert the council just yet in case they wade straight in. The flue does require planning and listed building consent, for which our neighbour's son has said he will apply retrospectively. Thanks again.

 

[Lime]

While i'm entirely in agreement with being neighbourly that should not impede your common sense.
the flue will discharge large quantities of carbon monoxide next to and below the level of your child's window.
I would not drag my feet.

 

[Aidan]

Unfortunately the 'hat' of the flue sits less than three metres away at a level slightly below one of my first storey windows (kiddie bedroom). The smoke from the flue just seems to hang around, and when the prevailing wind does blow, it directs the smoke straight into my window.

Is it a 'Chinaman's hat' type of termination?

If so, that may be a part of the problem. The products of combustion must be able to float upwards from the chimney using only the buoyancy due to their being warm. I think a 'hat' type terminal would impose too much restriction. If the fumes are loiterig around, the problem is probably much worse inside the neighbour's house.

There are some chimney terminals listed here, the only ones that resemble a hat are the last three, which are for gas only.
http://www.stovesonline.co.uk/wood_burning_stoves/Chimney-Pots-and-Inserts.html

The installer needs to get the work certified by someone competent. A HEATA registered installer can self-certify.