Self-installed solid fuel stove and Building Control

[greatjob]

Hi, so I installed a small wood/coal stove (4.7kW) stainless steel flue etc on a thick slate hearth all to Part J regulations (I believe).

I spoke to the local Building Control Surveyor to have it siged-off, and was advised that he would require a HETAS Certificate of Compliance (or similar) and he would then review the paperwork and register the work as completed. The Building Control Surveyor was not prepared to come and actually perform a survey. He said a competent individual was required to install it, which I believe I am...

I thought I could do the work and building control would sign it off directly (which is what I thought I was paying for). Paper work I have indicates building control require notification when work commences and notification when work is completed, which I did...though it has been about 8 years since the work was completed. I should have followed up with building control when I finished the work, but ...

is it normal procedure to have a HETAS installer come and review an installation and issue a HETAS Certificate of Compliance for a self-installed stove so that the Building Control Surveyor can rubber-stamp it?

Not sure how to proceed from here.

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

8 years???? Yes you should be able to apply for your local BC to inspect the work, typically they have a set fee for this specific type of project that allows for the inspector to inspect your work on site and sure it complies. However, was this part of a wider project? Did they know at the time almost a decade ago the work included doing the necessary checks for a log burner?

 

[greatjob]

Yeah, about 8 years. I should have sorted it out at the time.

The only work was to install the stove, fit liner, cowl, hearth, so this work was all. Paid about £150 at the time. I removed an old stove and enclosing brickwork that was in there (had no flue) to reveal original fireplace and fitted everything with some help.

Its been a while so BC probably see it as unusual and so potentially risky.

Is inspection and certification something HETAS installers would do? I guess I just need to phone around.

I dont want to have to remove the stove when I come to sell...

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

When you paid 8 years ago did you pay for BC to do the inspections? If so then they should honour it. BC fees for non Hetas installation is about £500 nowadays.

 

[greatjob]

Yes, I paid for BC to do the completion inspection, but they say now they want HETAS certification, and will not come and inspect.

Im not inclined to take BC to court.

Any idea if HETAS installers would inspect and certify this (if its ok, which I believe it is), and what cost?