Do you feel like now is the right time to remove the outdated chimney stack from your home? If your answer is yes, you ought to know that there are regulations enforced by local councils surrounding this exercise. If you do it in the wrong way, you may attract unwanted legal problems. In this piece, we will furnish you with the relevant information surrounding the rules and regulations for chimney stack removal from your building. Without further ado, let us get started.
As you embark on your building’s chimney stack removal, here are a few things and regulations you want to keep in mind.
Proper planning
Like any other construction project, you need to plan ahead of your building’s chimney stack removal. First off, get all the planning permission that will be required. Most of the repairs or remodelling work done inside do not require this permission. However, the contractors carrying out the removal process may need to do some work thing on the exterior. When this happens, you want to be the right side of the law.
Regulations
Every type of building or construction work falls under certain regulations. These specific standards are legally enforced by the local authorities. They address issues such as health and safety of the people living nearby, inside, as well as the professionals doing the construction work. Some of the aspects spelt out in these regulations include hazards such as fire safety, electricity, plumbing, and so on. Although removing a chimney seems like a straightforward process, it may touch on some of these sensitive construction aspects. Since you may not be sure of the various regulation’s requirements, it will help to work with professionals such as architects and designers. Luckily, you do not need to worry about finding qualified, professional architects to help with complying with regulations, because you can discover this info here.
Responsibilities of the homeowners
As the homeowner, you are responsible for any construction, home remodelling or repairs in the home. A contractor does the actual work, but it is your responsibility to hire a competent professional. It is imperative that you hire someone listed on the Competent Person Scheme. You should apply for the necessary approvals a few weeks earlier because they may delay. Additionally, after the work is complete ask for the Completion Certificate.
Structural Integrity
Structural integrity is something else you need to think of. Once the contractor has removed the chimney, the walls in the areas surrounding it should be intact. Working with a contractor that specializes in this kind of work is an added advantage.
Fire safety
The relevant authorities need to know that the new wall will offer protection between your property and that of the adjacent house. There should be least one-hour fire resistance.
Sound insulation
Sound insulation is another factor that interests the authorities. The new wall should insulate your neighbour from any kind of noise coming from your house.
Leaving your neighbour’s chimney intact
As you remove your chimney, your team should not inflict any damage on your neighbour’s walls or chimney. Your designs must demonstrate that the process will not interfere with the structural integrity of the adjacent house. Otherwise, you may put both you and your neighbour at the risk of carbon monoxide/ dioxide poisoning.
Chimney stack building removal is not a complicated construction project. However, it may pose several risks. Therefore, it is important to do it as per the set-out regulations.