Smoke Control Areas - Authorised fuels and Exempt appliances

The list of fuels that have been authorised for use within smoke control areas within Scotland can be found on the smoke control pages of the DEFRA website.

Authorised fuels are fuels which have been authorised by Statutory arrangements made under the Clean Air Act 1993. These fuels include inherently smokeless fuels such as gas, electricity and anthracite together with specified brands of manufactured solid fuels. These fuels have passed tests to confirm that they are capable of burning in an open fireplace without producing smoke.

Wood, normal house coal, and peat are not 'authorised fuels'. The Clean Air Act 1993 makes it illegal to acquire any unauthorised solid fuel for use in a building within a smoke control area unless it is to be used in an Exempt Appliance (see below) and that particular fuel is included in the conditions for the appliance. In addition, it is illegal to sell for delivery any unauthorised solid fuel to buildings within a smoke control area unless the person selling can demonstrate that they are aware that the fuel is to be used in an exempt appliance.

Exempt appliances are appliances (ovens, wood burners and multi fuel stoves) which have been exempted by Scottish Ministers under the Clean Air Act 1993. These appliances have passed tests to confirm that they are capable of burning specified unauthorised or inherently smoky solid fuels without emitting smoke or a substantial quantity of smoke when installed and operated in compliance with any prescribed conditions on the exemption Order (i.e. installed and operated as per the manufacturer's instructions, use of only seasoned dry wood with a maximum moisture content etc.). The list of appliances that have been exempted for use within smoke control areas in Scotland can be found on the smoke control pages of the DEFRA website.

If you are installing a new appliance, it is important that  the minimum flue height for the appliance is followed, this is normally contained within the manufacturer's instructions. A height of at least 4.5metres from the outlet of the appliance to the top of the flue is the general rule should the manufacturer's instructions fail to include a minimum height. Any new flue for a solid fuel appliance will likely require planning consent as 'Permitted Development Rights' do not apply for new flues for solid fuel appliances within Air Quality Management Areas. Please contact the Planning Division for further information regarding planning consent requirements.