From January 1, 2022 , an important new regulation will apply to the construction of new chimneys. Due to a new legal regulation, new chimney heights must be observed for new combustion systems for solid fuels. This can significantly reduce fine dust pollution in the residential environment.
The legal basis for this is the amendment to the “Verordnung über kleine und mittlere Feuerungsanlagen (1. BImSchV)” – 1st Ordinance on the Implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act. This will apply from January 01, 2022.
The new legal amendment affects new combustion plants for solid fuels that are installed after this ordinance comes into force (after December 31, 2021) and have a rated thermal input of less than one megawatt. These firing installations include, in particular, solid fuel firing installations such as tiled stoves and individual firing installations, which include fireplaces and wood pellet heating systems. The aim of this new regulation is to reduce the pollution of the air in the immediate residential environment caused by exhaust gases such as particulate matter.
Particulate matter pollution from heating
When burning coal, logs, pellets or wood chips, heating systems release fine dust. Fine dust is alveolar dust (A-dust), which can penetrate into the alveoli (air sacs in the lungs). This can lead to respiratory problems and even cancer. Fine dust includes in particular polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins and furans. These enter the immediate vicinity of buildings through the chimneys and can be harmful to people’s health.
New legal change for chimney heights
In order to improve the air quality in the living environment in the future, the chimney of a pellet heating system, a fireplace or tiled stove will have to be significantly higher than the roof height. However, existing systems are not affected by the new legal regulation. This also applies to the replacement of an oil heating system with a new pellet heating system.
The following is an excerpt of the new regulations of the “First Ordinance
amending the Ordinance on Small and Medium-Sized Combustion Installations (October 13, 2021).
Amendment to the Ordinance on Small and Medium-Sized Firing Installations
The following is inserted after Section 19:
§ Section 19 Discharge conditions for flue gases
(1) In the case of a firing installation for solid fuels that is erected after December 31, 2021
, the chimney must be designed in such a way that the outlet opening of the chimney
1. is located close to the ridge and
2. projects above the ridge by at least 40 centimetres.
The outlet opening of a chimney is arranged close to the ridge if
1. its horizontal distance from the ridge is smaller than its horizontal distance from the eaves and
2. its vertical distance from the ridge is greater than its horizontal distance from the ridge
Further changes concern the roof pitches and the total heat output of the combustion system in kilowatts, which then regulate the required outlet height of the new chimney (in meters). With a higher total heat output of the combustion systems, the outlet openings of the chimney should be correspondingly higher above the upper edges of the ventilation openings, windows and doors.
In general, the outlet of a chimney should be outside the recirculation zone of the individual building. The exhaust gases can then be transported away from the chimney via the natural air flow and no longer collect around the building.
GSA measuring devices SG10-2A for particle measurements of A-dust (fine dust)
To carry out particle measurements of A-dust in the immediate living or working area, the GSA measuring device SG10-2A was developed. The measuring device is suitable for personal use. It can also be used for stationary sampling of hazardous substances. With a flow rate of 1 – 12 l/min , the measuring time can be significantly reduced. The SG10-2A is also suitable for sampling E-dust or mold deposits.
Sources:
Image source: 123rf.com © udo72, image no. 72734236
www.deutsche-handwerks-zeitung.de/hoehere-schornsteine-bei-neubauten-201668/
www. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verordnung_über_kleine_und_mittlere_Feuerungsanlagen
www.energie-fachberater.de/news/bimschv-bundesregierung-plant-neue-vorschriften-fuer-schornsteine.php
www.tga-fachplaner.de/normen-und-verordnungen/regelwerk-1-bimschv-hoehere-schornsteine-bei-festbrennstoffen-ab-2022