Flue Testing in Multiple Dwellings

Landlords Responsibilities:

The responsibility of a shared flue system in rented accommodation covered by Regulation 36 of GSIUR 1998, would lie firmly with the Landlord or the managing agent (dutyholder). The Landlord will need to make the necessary arrangements with their tenants to enable access for inspection, tests and maintenance works to be undertaken.

However, in a multi-occupancy building where there is mixed ownership, e.g. Both rented and owner occupied properties, this is not as clear cut. In the case of rented accommodation, the Landlord will be responsible for the flue system attributable to the rented accommodation. In the case of the owner occupied properties, arrangements will need to be set in place by contractual means, to make sure that the flue system passing through the those properties is safely maintained to ensure that the whole of the flue system passing through the building continues to operate safely.

Flue Checks – Shared Open Flues.

This would include the normal flue flow tests and spillage tests. It is also important to remember that because of the special construction and operation of these flue systems, not all appliances are suitable for use with an open flue system.
Therefore, it is vital to inspect and check the ventilation, operation and suitability of the appliance once access has been gained. Failure to carry out a satisfactory inspection of other appliances utilising the same flue system in other properties (including the flue system), could affect the safe operation of other appliances. As far as reasonable practicable the flue system should be checked for design, termination and compliance with BS 5440-1:2000.

On shared open-flued systems, each room with an appliance installed should have similar sized ventilation openings, including any openable windows.
Failure to meet this requirements can result in different pressure zones being created throughout the building which under certain conditions, could result in products of combustion from one property spilling into another.