Approved Document J (Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems) 2010 edition incorporating 2010 and 2024 amendments (WGC 004/2024)

Circular number:    WGC 004/2024

Date issued:   04/10/2024

Status:    For information

Title:    Approved Document J (Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems) 2010 edition incorporating 2010 and 2024 amendments

Issued by:    Mark Tambini, Head of Building Regulations Policy

Addressed to:    

Local Authority Chief Executives
Welsh Local Government Association 
Construction Industry Council
Competent Persons Forum

Please forward to:

Local Authority Building Control Managers
Members of the Senedd

Summary:

This is a circular letter to announce the approval and publication of the amendments to Approved Document J in relation to carbon monoxide alarms and to draw attention to the transitional provisions for the changes.

For further information contact:

Building Regulations Team
Welsh Government Offices
Rhydycar
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 1UZ  

Direct line:    0300 060 4400
E-mail:    enquiries.brconstruction@gov.wales
Website: building and planning

The Building Act 1984

The Building Regulations 2010

Amendments to Approved Document

Introduction

1. On behalf of the Welsh Ministers I draw your attention to the revision of Approved Document J (Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems) 2010 edition incorporating 2010 and 2024 amendments.
    
2. The purpose of this Circular is to draw attention to new guidance in support of paragraph J3 of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010 - “Warning of release of carbon monoxide”.

3. The changes made to the Approved Document apply to buildings and building work in Wales.

4. Approved Document J has been amended to include guidance that where a new or replacement fixed flued combustion appliance of any fuel (oil, gas (including LPG) and solid fuel) type is installed in a dwelling (including fixed flued cookers), a carbon monoxide alarm should be provided.
    
5. Section 1: Provisions which apply generally to combustion installations, now includes guidance at new paragraphs 1.24 to 1.30 which deals with the provision of carbon monoxide alarms where flued fixed combustion appliances of any fuel type are installed. 
    
6. This means that paragraphs 2.34 to 2.36 of the previous edition of Approved Document J edition with 2010 amendments have been omitted. They dealt with carbon monoxide alarms for appliances burning solid fuel only, so have been overtaken by the new paragraphs.
    
7. In summary, a carbon monoxide alarm is required to alert occupants to the presence of carbon monoxide in the following:

(i) In every space (including connected spaces for example attached garages and loft spaces) containing a fixed combustion appliance (including a fixed flued combustion appliance used for cooking), and 

(ii) in high-risk accommodation, that is, a bedroom or principal habitable room (e.g., living room), where a flue serving a combustion appliance passes through these rooms.

8. Carbon monoxide alarms should comply with BS EN 50291-1:2018, include an integral sounder and be powered by a battery designed to operate for the working life of the alarm. The alarm should incorporate a warning device to alert users when the working life of the alarm is due to pass. 
    
9. Guidance and recommendations on the installation of carbon monoxide alarms is available in BS EN 50292:2023 and from manufacturers’ instructions.

10. In addition to renumbering as a consequence of the amendments outlined above, we are also making changes to amend minor errors in the Approved Document J to include a correct SI number and extract from paragraph J3 of Schedule 1 to that SI. 

11. Annexes A and B to this Circular give the Notice of Approval for the amended Approved Document and the Notice of Withdrawal of Approval of previous editions of the amended Approved Document, subject to the transitional provisions.

12. The changes made to Approved Document J come into force on 6 January 2025 except as follows. 
     
13. The 2010 edition of Approved Document J incorporating further 2010 amendments will continue to apply to the building work to which it relates, provided: 

a. the building work has commenced before 6 January 2025; or 

b. work for which- 

(i) a building notice has been given to a local authority before 6 January 2025,
(ii) an initial notice has been given to a local authority and not rejected by it before 6 January 2025, 
(iii) an amendment notice has been given to a local authority and not rejected by it before 6 January 2025, or
(iv) full plans have been deposited before 6 January 2025, 

and work commences within three months beginning on 6 January 2025; or 

c. no notification is required for the work (see regulation 12(6) of the Building Regulations 2010) and the work commences within three months beginning on 6 January 2025. 

Please note that “building notice”, “initial notice”, “amendment notice” and “full plans” have the meanings given in regulation 2 of the Building Regulations 2010. 

14. The Welsh Ministers have consulted with the Building Regulations Advisory Committee for Wales. In accordance with section 6 of the Building Act 1984, the Welsh Ministers have approved the amendments. 
     
15. This circular does not give advice on the technical requirements in the Building Regulations 2010 as these are matters covered by Approved Document being amended.

Any enquiries on this Circular Letter should be addressed to: 

Mark Tambini
Building Regulations
Welsh Government
Rhydycar
Merthyr Tydfil

CF48 1UZ 

E mail: enquiries.brconstruction@gov.wales

Yours faithfully,

Mark Tambini 
Head of Building Regulations Policy

Building Act 1984

Notice of approval of revision of documents giving practical guidance with respect to the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010

The Welsh Ministers give notice under section 6 of the Building Act 1984 that, in the exercise of their powers under section 6, they have approved revisions to the document listed below for the purposes of giving practical guidance with respect to the requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 specified below.

The approval takes effect on 6 January 2025 except in respect of work already commenced before that date; or in respect of work for which a building notice, initial notice or amendment notice has been given or full plans deposited before that date and provided work commences within three months of that date; or in respect of work where no notification is required (see regulation 12(6) of the Building Regulations 2010) provided work commences within three months of that date.

Document

Approved Document J (Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems) 2010 edition incorporating 2010 and 2024 amendments.

Requirements of the Building Regulations 2010 in respect of which the document is approved

Part J, Schedule 1 

Building Act 1984

Notice of withdrawal of approval of documents giving practical guidance with respect to the requirements of the building regulations 2010

The Welsh Ministers give notice under section 6 of the Building Act 1984 that, in the exercise of the powers under section 6(5) and (5A), they have withdrawn approval of the document listed below for the purposes of giving practical guidance with respect to the requirements in Part J of Schedule 1 to the Building Regulations 2010. 

The withdrawal of approval takes effect on 6 January 2025 except in respect of work already commenced before that date or in respect of work for which a building notice or amendment notice has been given or full plans deposited before that date and provided work commences within three months of that date; or in respect of work where no notification is required (see regulation 12(6) of the Building Regulations 2010) provided work commences within three months of that date. 

Document

Approved Document J (Combustion appliances and fuel storage systems) 2010 edition incorporating 2010 amendments.