Boiler flue regulations

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.

It’s important that the flue is installed so that:

• • 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.

Which gases do boiler flues emit?

If we burn natural gas in a boiler we will always produce:

• water vapour
• carbon dioxide

If your boiler isn’t working properly, deadly carbon monoxide may be produced too.

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 stick out of an external wall. The size and shape of a flue prevent the waste gases from accumulating around the terminal and are expelled far enough into the atmosphere to prevent them from re-entering the home.

Which gases do boiler flues emit?

When we burn natural gas in a boiler we will always produce:

• 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. 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.

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):

• 300 mm away from an opening window or air vent
• 25 mm below guttering, drain pipes or soil pipes
• 300 mm above the ground, roof or balcony level
• 2,000 mm below a Velux window
• 1,200 mm from an opening, such as a door or window, into the home
• 2.1 m 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

Boiler flue regulation standards

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 (e.g. 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 2.1 m 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 2.1 m 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.

Common questions about boiler flues

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 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.

A telltale 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 keeping it clear of any debris, and you won’t need to worry.

What do I do if my 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.

Keep your home protected with HomeServe

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.