The Clean Air Act, 1993, introduced a wide range of new regulations including those which control smoke emissions and the height of chimneys.

The control of chimney heights enables local authorities to take into account a number of relevant factors in determining the height of a chimney.

Under section 14 of the Act, unless the height of the chimney has been approved by the local authority and any conditions attached to approval adhered to, it is an offence to cause to cause or knowingly permit a furnace to be used to:

• burn pulverised fuel or
• burn at a rate of 45.4 kg or more an hour any other solid matter or
• burn at a rate equivalent to 366.4 kW or more any liquid or gaseous matter

Applying for chimney height approval

To apply for a chimney height approval an application form must be completed and submitted to the Environmental Protection Unit (EPU). Each application for chimney height approval must contain adequate information to enable the necessary calculations to be carried out. For an application form please contact the Environmental Protection Unit.

We will consider each application for approval for chimney height for a furnace and give a written decision within 28 days of receipt, unless we agree in writing with you that a longer period is allowed. If we fail to deal with the application within this time period, then approval without qualification or condition is automatically given.