Can you fit awnings over boiler flues?
As people look to maximise their outdoor space with the addition of our outdoor canopies and awnings, here’s a question we’re getting asked more and more – can you fit awnings over boiler flues?
The fact is, there isn’t any technical guidance or safety legislation directly relating to fitting canopies and awnings over boiler flues. As an industry, we collectively look at how car ports are treated, and take our guidance from their safety specifications.
In this blog we’ll explain the dos and don’ts of fitting external canopies and awnings over your boiler flues, taking our cues from how car port builds are handled.
So, can you fit car ports over boiler flues?
Well, the first thing to note is that none of the major boiler manufacturers recommend it. That isn’t to say it’s not possible under current building regulations though. If an alternative method can be found, that should always be the way forward. If not, these are the rules that must be followed:
1. The car port needs to have a minimum of two open sides.
2. If a modern condensing boiler flue is fitted under a car port, then the guidance is the flue is a minimum of 200mm below the roof.
3. If a modern condensing boiler flue is coming out of the wall above a car port roof, then it would need to be a minimum of 300mm above the roof.
These are the three main points that we can apply to our awnings, to make sure they are safe and not causing potentially hazardous gas build-ups.
Adding an awning under a flue? Here are the key takeaways…
Even though the louvered roofs we provide can open, in terms of positioning over boiler flues, they have to be treated as though they’re always closed. That’s because, in reality, someone could be enjoying their outdoor space, whilst someone else is in the house, maybe running a bath. This means there could be a build-up of flue gases (if the roof is shut). That’s why it’s so important that if an awning is fitted under a flue, at least two sides always remain open, therefore avoiding any safety concerns.
It’s also worth noting that the specifications detailed above, are for guidance only. Most of the boiler manufacturers will have different minimum distances regards their own flues, so it is best to check the specific boiler manufacturer’s instructions, or seek advice from a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Want to talk to us about your outdoor project?
If you’re still unsure on any of the above, or you’d like to discuss the specifics of your awning project, our friendly team are always happy to help. Feel free to drop us a call on 01204 876170, email us at info@aspirationoutdoors.co.uk, or fill in the form below and we’ll get in touch with you ASAP.