Building regulations and heating installation work

A common question for home owners is how building regulations apply to heating installation work in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

What are building regulations?

Building regulations are minimum standards for design, construction and alterations to virtually every building. Their purpose is to ensure that work meets essential health, safety, welfare, convenience and sustainability standards. Many kinds of building work must comply with these regulations and checks are required to make sure the work has been done correctly - a process called notification. The checks are normally done by a local authority building control officer, an approved independent inspector or, in regions where it’s permitted, by the person carrying out the work, providing they are authorised to self-certify it.

How does it affect heating equipment?

The installation of heating equipment is one area of work that must comply with building regulations and it is a legal requirement to do so. It’s particularly important with heating equipment because a badly installed appliance may not work efficiently, may not be safe and could cause injury or even death. Failing to have an installation approved could leave you liable to a fine as well as facing additional costs to put things right. It may also make it more difficult to sell your home because you will not have a certificate of compliance, showing that the work was carried out safely and done in accordance with the regulations.

How do I make sure my heating installation complies with building regulations?

The best way to avoid problems is to have your heating equipment installed by an OFTEC registered heating installer. OFTEC registered installers work in accordance with the regulations and, in England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, they can self-certify their installation work, avoiding the need for it to be checked by a building control officer.  This makes the whole installation process much easier and saves you time and money. Work that is self-certified by an OFTEC competent person also carries a workmanship warranty against building regulation non-compliance. This provides you with peace of mind because, if a problem is found and the installer is no longer trading, someone else will carry out any remedial work that is needed.

What should I do if I no longer have my certificate?

If your installation was notified by an OFTEC registered technician but you have lost your certificate, it’s possible to order  replacement. Visit our order a certificate page.