Chimneys and flues: Don't forget the neighbours!

Approved Document J outlines the precautions needed to ensure that smoke and gases from appliances can be safely discharged. Diagrams 17 and 18 highlight the outlet heights needed in relation to traditional roofs and easily ignited coverings such as thatch and shingles.

In general, outlets need to be at least 600mm above the ridge where they are either at or within 600mm of the ridge itself (A). If the flue or chimney is elsewhere its height needs to be lifted until the termination point is 2300mm from the roof covering when measured horizontally and at least 1000mm high or at least as high as the ridge (B).

What have the neighbours to do with it..?

There are also requirements if there are other buildings within 2300mm of the ‘regulated building’.

So adjoining buildings less than a drive width away from the chimney also impose a requirement to raise the outlet at least 600mm above any part of the adjoining building (D).

This could cause problems on sloping sites or on infill developments with the chimney or flue needing to be higher than normal. Don’t forget that Approved Document A also places a structural requirement for chimney height to be no more than 4.5 times its width (2D1 and Diagram 20).

So, the higher a chimney, the larger it needs to be. There is also a requirement (AD J 2.8) for flues to be at least 4.5m measured from the highest point of air entry – which could be the top of a fireplace opening. For bungalows this means that termination may be significantly higher than 600mm above the ridge. 

^Disclaimer: 

^{Every care has been taken to ensure that the above content is correct at the time of publication.  Any reliance on the content should be verified by the dutyholder(s) and their professional advisers.  It is the responsibility of the dutyholder(s) and/or person carrying out the work to ensure compliance with the relevant building regulations and associated legislation.} 

^{This content is given in good faith by LABC.  It is not definitive and compliance will be a matter for the relevant building control authority to decide as the enforcing body for the building regulations, and ultimately for the appropriate tribunal or court to determine.}

^{This article was updated on 15 May 2025.}