Approved Document J (ADJ) guides meeting the requirements of Part J of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 (as amended) in England. It contains provisions relating to combustion appliances, such as boilers, cookers, and fires, as well as fuel storage and supply systems.
The latest edition, Approved Document J – Combustion Appliances and fuel storage systems (ADJ 2021), was published in June 2021 by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and came into force in June 2022. It replaces the previous ADJ 2010 edition.
ADJ aims to ensure that gas and oil-fired combustion appliance installations are safe and efficient and minimise carbon dioxide emissions. It covers issues ranging from ventilation requirements, flues and chimneys, separation from combustible materials, access and warnings to more general guidance on testing, commissioning, maintenance and operation.
The guidance in Approved Document J: Your guide to safe, efficient installation & operation of combustion appliances, fuel storage systems, aligned with Building Regulations 2010 applies to building work in new and existing dwellings and buildings other than dwellings, such as offices, shops, factories and schools. It applies to material changes of use as specified in Regulation 5 of the Building Regulations.
People carrying out building work must comply with the requirements of Part J. The main responsibility lies with the person carrying out the work, who must demonstrate that the work complies with Approved Document J: Your guide to safe, efficient installation & operation of combustion appliances, fuel storage systems, aligned with Building Regulations 2010 Developers, architects, engineers, builders, and installation companies all must ensure compliance.
Building control bodies enforce the requirements, check plans, inspect work, and issue completion certificates. They will look for evidence of compliance through things like certification schemes, commissioning records and inspections.
There are three main ways of demonstrating that the requirements of Part J have been met:
The most straightforward route is to follow the guidance in ADJ. However, alternative materials, designs and installations can be used as long as they achieve an equivalent level of safety, efficiency and environmental protection. The building control body must approve any alternative solutions.
Using appliances and components that are certified by an accredited scheme provider is another recognised way of meeting the requirements. Installers registered with schemes like Gas Safe for gas installations or OFTEC for oil installations can self-certify their work.
ADJ contains specific requirements relating to the following areas:
This section deals with safe operation, control, access, ventilation, flues, and protection of combustion appliances like boilers, cookers, fires and water heaters. Key guidance includes:
The guidance focuses on the safe design, construction and installation of fireplaces, hearths, chimneys and flues for combustion appliances like boilers, cookers and open fires. This includes:
Requirements aim to limit the risk of fire spreading from heat producing appliances like boilers, cookers, fires, heaters or flues. Key provisions include:
This section deals with requirements for oil storage tanks and the associated pipework supplying combustion appliances. It covers:
The guidance focuses on safely installing and testing gas meters, pipework and associated fittings before appliances. This includes:
Extra provisions relate to installing gas appliances and associated flues and ventilation in commercial and industrial situations where there is the potential risk of explosive atmospheres.
The safe operation of combustion appliances relies on an adequate air supply for both combustion and cooling. ADJ provides detailed guidance on ventilation provisions for appliance compartments, rooms containing appliances, chimneys and flues.
The general objectives are to:
Key considerations include sufficient permanent vent openings of the right size, avoiding obstructions, and separating inlet and outlet vents where contamination could occur.
Enclosed spaces containing appliances need permanent ventilation openings direct to outside for air supply and flue gases:
Where ventilation is via adjacent rooms, these rooms also need permanent vent openings of sufficient size to the outside.
For rooms containing open-flued appliances, permanent ventilation openings are required direct to the outside. Ventilation can be via:
For rooms with flueless appliances like gas cookers or heaters, ventilation can be to an adjacent room that has ventilation direct to outside. The appliance manufacturer’s ventilation requirements should also be followed.
There are specific ventilation provisions for chimneys and flues to avoid overheating:
Safe storage and supply of fuel to combustion appliances is critical. ADJ provides guidance on requirements for oil tanks, gas meters and pipework.
For oil storage tanks supplying heating oil to combustion appliances, key recommendations cover:
For additional protection, oil supply pipes should have:
Gas meters and regulators supplying appliances should:
Recommendations for fuel pipe runs include:
The safe ongoing operation of installations depends on correct commissioning, testing and regular servicing in accordance with manufacturer requirements. Key recommendations in ADJ include:
While ADJ contains conventional guidance based on current good practice, it also recognises alternative approaches made possible by new technology and innovation.
Renewable energy systems for heating and hot water production are supported. Key considerations for biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar thermal units include:
Smart technology can provide additional functionality to monitor and control heating and hot water systems. Benefits in relation to ADJ include:
Building management systems can also help demonstrate ADJ compliance by recording safety-critical functions like ventilation airflow. Emerging smart materials may support alternative approaches too.
Approved Document J provides detailed technical guidance for achieving the safe, efficient and environmentally conscious installation of combustion appliances and associated services like fuel storage and pipework.
While the guidance represents expected good practice, it does not preclude innovative and alternative approaches, provided health and safety is maintained. The integration of renewable energy and smart technologies can build upon and extend ADJ provisions, helping to drive progress towards net zero carbon.
Changes to ADJ are anticipated in the future to reflect new technologies and higher environmental standards. However, the fundamentals of ensuring the safety of people, buildings and installations through good design, installation, commissioning and maintenance will remain key. All those involved have a duty to work to the necessary high standards expected for such potentially hazardous services.
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