Height of chimneys (Clean Air Act 1993 ss
14-16)
At whatever height smoke and flue gases are discharged, gravity
will eventually bring the larger particles of grit, dust and soot
to the ground. Additionally, because of the natural turbulence of
the atmosphere, a proportion of the gases and of the freely
suspended fine particles will reach the ground although not
affected by gravity. The higher the point of discharge and the
greater the total heat content of the discharges gases, the more
widespread and diluted will be the fine particles and gases by the
time they reach ground level.
Controlling chimney height
The control of chimney heights enables local authorities to take
into account a number of relevant factors in determining the height
of a chimney. These include the need to avoid downdraught or
downwash created by the chimney itself, or by buildings or
topographical features; to avoid the ground level concentration of
combustion products becoming prejudicial to health or a nuisance;
in the case of smaller units to prevent the flue gases from
entering nearby buildings in too high a concentration.
Under s.14 of the Act, unless the height of the chimney has been
approved by the local authority and any conditions attached to
approval adhered to, it is an offence to cause or knowingly permit
a furnace to be used to:
- burn pulverised fuel;
- burn at a rate of 45.5 kg or more an hour any other solid
matter, or
- burn at a rate equivalent to 366.4 kilowatts or more any liquid
or gaseous matter
Application for chinmey height approval
If you are building a chimney, you need to apply for consent
first. The application for must contain adequate information
to enable the necessary calculations to be carried out.
Supplementary technical assistance for estimating the minimum
permissible chimney height for small boilers emitting sulphur
dioxide has also been prepared by Stanger Science and Environment
at the request of the Department of Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs and is available by calling 020 792 6119.
Approval process
We'll consider the application and give a written decision within
28 days of its receipt, unless it's agreed in writing that a longer
period may be allowed. If we fail to deal with the application
within the agreed period, then approval without qualification will
be deemed to have been given.
We cannot approve the proposed chimney height unless we
are satisfied that it will be sufficient to prevent, so far as
is practicable, the smoke, grit, dust, gases or fumes emitted from
the chimney from becoming prejudicial to health or a nuisance,
having regard to:
- the purpose of the chimney
- the position and descriptions of buildings near to it
- the levels of the neighbouring ground
- any other matters requiring consideration in the
circumstances
Contact us
For more information please contact Andrew Hill, Environmental
Protection Manager on 01695 585243 or email: a.hill@westlancsdc.gov.uk.
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