Regulations around Boiler’s flue are safety measures designed to keep us safe from the harmful gases that are produced by our boilers as waste products. And these will remain in place until someone invents a cleaner way to heat our homes.
Gas Safe Registered engineers are required to install boilers with the regulations around boiler flue separation distances top of mind – so also it’s a good idea for homeowners, renovators and landlords to know what regulations affect gas boiler flue, why they’re important, and how it impacts your property.
What is a boiler flue?
The combustion that goes on in a typical household gas central heating boiler produces harmful waste gases that need to be removed safely to the atmosphere – and from your house. The ‘flue’ is the pipe or duct that’s fitted to the boiler in order to transport these gases out of the boiler and far enough into the atmosphere to disperse safely. You can read more about how boilers work here.
These are potentially harmful gases we’re talking about, so it’s important that the flue is installed so that:
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- products of combustion are removed safely to open air.
- products of combustion don’t re-enter the property.
- products of combustion aren’t directed towards neighbouring properties.
- The regulations around boiler flue position are necessarily strict to prevent deaths, and any party who fails to adhere to them can face serious consequences.
What does a boiler flue look like?
Even if you’re not sure what a boiler flue is, you’ve probably seen loads of them. Most properties in the UK have gas central heating boilers and any property that has a boiler must have a flue.
Typically, modern boilers’ flues are very short, horizontal pipes that jut out of an external wall. The size and shape of a flue prevents the waste gases from accumulating around the terminal and are expelled far enough into the atmosphere to prevent them re-entering the home.
Which gases do boiler flues emit?
We we burn natural gas in a boiler we will always produces:
- water vapour
- carbon dioxide
- If your boiler isn’t working properly, deadly carbon monoxide may be produced too
What are the regulations around boiler flue?
At one time you could put your boiler almost anywhere in your home, but these days the regulations are very strict on where you can and can’t position your boiler and flue.
Boiler flue separation distances
Please note that the following are the separation distances for fan-assisted room sealed appliances. Natural draught balanced flues and open flues have different required dimensions.
The positioning of the flue needs to be (a minimum of):
- 300mm away from an opening window or air vent
- 25mm below guttering, drain pipes or soil pipes
- 300mm above ground, roof or balcony level
- 2,000mm below a Velux window
- 1,200mm from an opening, such as a door or window, into the home
- 2.1m off the ground if it faces a public space such as a pavement
- If on a ground floor wall, a grill or metal box is required to cover the flue
Standards around flue in more detail:
1. The appliance and the chimney configuration shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The manufacturer’s instructions must be left at the property where the boiler is installed to allow future reference and guidance.
2. The terminal shall be positioned so that combustion products can safely disperse at all times. A boiler flue shouldn’t be close to any opening that could potentially allow the flue gases back into the home, such as windows or doors. The manufacturer’s instruction will provide specific guidance around distances to openable windows, doors etc.
3. The flue shouldn’t be placed close to heat-sensitive materials (eg. plastic guttering). Your boiler burns fuel in order to create heat, so the gases coming out of the flue can be extremely hot. The regulations state that the flue shouldn’t be located nearby any item that hot gases could damage. For example, if you’ve got plastic guttering, those hot gases could melt it if it’s positioned too close.
4. A flue must be at least 2.1m off the ground if it faces a public space. If your property wall backs onto a public space like a pavement, it’s crucial that the flue’s gases don’t endanger people who are walking by. Boiler flues must therefore be placed at least 2.1m off the ground.
5. A chimney terminal shall be sited so that it is at least 600mm from the boundary line when facing it and at least 300mm from the boundary line when running parallel to it.
6. Sometimes a vertical flue is the only safe option.
Horizontal flues are most commonly used, in situations where the terminal is within 2 metres of an opening into a neighbours property a vertical chimney system is used.
What happens if my boiler flue is blocked?
If your boiler isn’t burning gas properly, carbon monoxide can be produced alongside the carbon dioxide and water vapour.
If your flue pipe is not complete or incorrectly located, these gases find their way back inside your home, which could cause a dangerous situation to develop.
What is carbon monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless gas, which makes it very difficult to detect. Although it’s not legally the responsibility for homeowners or landlords to make sure each of their properties has at least one carbon monoxide alarm fitted, it is for private landlords and also where a solid fuel appliance is fitted.
What can cause a blocked open flue?
If you’re a homeowner, tenant or landlord with an open flued appliance, it’s wise to keep a watchful eye and make sure it hasn’t become blocked. Tell tales signal that something could be wrong would be black or dark grey marks around the appliance which could indicate spillage of products of combustion. In some extreme conditions you might see leaves, conkers, twigs, pinecones, general debris, bits of birds’ nests or even dead birds in there. It is always worth getting your flue checked at least annually and keep it clear of any debris, and you won’t need to worry.
What to do if you think your boiler flue is blocked?
If you think that your flue is blocked, stop using the appliance immediately and do not operate it again until it has been checked for safety by a Gas Safe Registered engineer.
Do I need to move my flue?
If after reading this article you think your boiler flue doesn’t meet the above standards, see our Do I need to move my flue? article first.
Do I need to get an engineer?
If you’re worried about your boiler or boiler flue, our Gas Safe registered engineers are fully qualified to handle jobs such as flue positioning on a variety of boiler types, brands and models. Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.
FAQs
How far does a boiler flue have to be from a window?
A boiler flue carries potentially dangerous gases out of a boiler so they don’t escape back into the home, so the flue needs to be positioned away from an openable window, door or air vent. The manufacturer’s instructions will provide detailed measurements for the position of the flue.
What are the dimensions for a room sealed boiler fan assisted flue?
A boiler flue needs to be:
- 300mm away from an openable window, door or air vent
- 25mm below guttering, drain pipes or soil pipes
- 300mm above ground, roof or balcony level
- 2,000mm below a Velux window
- 1,200mm from an opening under a carport , such as a door or window, into the home
- 2.1m off the ground if it faces a public space such as a pavement
- At least 2,000mm from any opening in to a neighbours dwelling
- 1,200mm away from a flue facing a flue
What fumes come out of a boiler flue?
Carbon dioxide and water vapour. If a boiler isn’t working correctly, it can also produce carbon monoxide, which can be fatal.
