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Building code and European CE standards concerning stove pipes

The NEN 6062 has now been adapted to the European CE standards:

• EN 1443 The general standard for chimneys
• EN1856-1 The standard for metal chimneys

This means that the NEN inspections will be dropped and the CE standards will take their place. These new European standards no longer assume the maximum temperature on the duct surface. The manufacturer specifies the safe distance from combustible materials on the pipes and the installation instructions state the need for fire-resistant casing or not (our double-walled ducts must be cased with fire-resistant sheeting).

In the Netherlands, the technical condition of homes is regulated by the Building Code. Strict conditions and requirements have also been laid down for flues and stovepipes. Central to this is that ‘a stovepipe, a tube or a flue intended for the discharge of smoke must be fireproof in accordance with NEN 6062. This standard specifies that the outer wall of a flue may not exceed 75°C in temperature.

Legislation Stovepipe and Flue

The safety of buildings and structures is regulated, among other things, in the (new) Housing Act (1991). According to this law (Article 40), a chimney falls under the category of “unlicensed construction. However, this only applies if no major changes are made to the supporting structure. Also, the building of a chimney no longer needs to be reported to the municipal Building and Housing Inspectorate (Decree on Notifiable Buildings). In many municipalities a permit must be obtained if the flue runs along the outer wall of the house.

However, a chimney must comply with the technical and fire safety aspects laid down in the Building Decree (1992). The Building Code sets requirements for, among other things: The non-combustibility of the material of the firebox, the flue and the immediate surroundings. The minimum (horizontal) distance between the outlet of the chimney and a fire-risk roof: 15 meters The minimum distance between the fire place and the vertical projection of a staircase on the floor: 1.5 meters. These requirements apply nationwide.

In special situations, a municipality can “write to” make improvements. The municipal Building and Housing Inspectorate has the authority to check whether the requirements have been met. In order to meet the requirements of the Building Decree, the materials used are tested according to the so-called NEN standards or equivalent European standards developed for this purpose. In the Netherlands, these inspections are usually performed by TNO. For example, it may be assumed that a “chimney system” approved by TNO according to NEN-6062 meets all requirements, provided it is built according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Unfortunately, the building code is unreadable for most people. In practice, the building code means nothing more than that your stovepipes must meet inspection standards and, if necessary, must be ducted (except in the boiler room). The distance to the casing is indicated on the labels of the pipes.

Do I need a building permit to install a fireplace?

This is a question that cannot be answered with a straightforward “yes” or “no”.

In principle, you do not need a building permit if no changes are made to the appearance of the house or the surroundings, and the construction does not change, and there is no monument or protected village or townscape.

It is certainly possible, however, that a building permit or other license may still be required within your municipality. Your municipality or SVG installer can inform you about this. Even if you do not need a building permit, the installation of a fireplace or stove must always comply with the provisions of the building code