Due to virtually all of the populated areas of the Dundee City Council local authority area being covered by a Smoke Control Area, it is likely that there will be restrictions on what solid fuels can be used in your fireplace. Under the Clean Air Act 1993, it is an offence to emit smoke from a chimney of any building in a smoke control area.
It is also an offence to burn solid fuel in a home or other premises unless the fuel is:
- an ‘authorised’ smokeless fuel (standard house coal and wood are not authorised fuels); or
- burnt in an ‘exempt appliance’ (an appliance that has been formally tested to ensure it can burn the fuel without emitting excessive smoke when installed (including correct flue height) and operated as per the manufacturer's instructions) and in compliance with any conditions on the exemption Order (i.e. seasoned wood, maximum moisture content)
In practice this means that in a smoke control area it is illegal to burn house coal or wood in an open fire, although it is legal to burn it in a stove or other appliance that has been approved to burn that fuel. It is also illegal for fuel retailers to deliver non-authorised fuels to any premises unless the appliance the fuel will be burnt in is an exempt appliance.
Contact
Email: pollution.control@dundeecity.gov.uk
Tel: 01382 433710 Option 6