What is a solid fuel heater?
Solid fuel heater - often called slow combustion heaters, pot belly stoves, wood fire heaters, or tile fires - burn materials such as wood to heat your home. These heaters are generally more efficient than traditional open fireplaces, requiring less fuel to produce the same amount of heat.
However, because their airflow can be restricted to slow the burn, solid fuel heaters can generate significantly higher levels of air pollutants if not installed or operated correctly.
Applying for approval
Installing a solid fuel heater requires approval from Council under Section 68 of the Local Government Act 1993. All applications must be lodged through the NSW Planning Portal. For guidance on the lodgement process, visit our Applying for Development page.
Your application must include Council’s Section 68 Activity Approval (AA) - Description of Works & Checklist (PDF, 497.9 KB), along with the required following supporting information:
- Floor plan showing the proposed location of the heating appliance
- Location of the flue, chimney and hearth, including details for installation on combustible floors
- Diagram showing the heater position (for example, fireplace, wall-mounted or freestanding)
- Manufacturer specifications, including flue kit details
- Installer details
- Certificate of Compliance for the flue system confirming it meets AS/NZS 2918:2018
- Certificate of Compliance for the solid fuel heater confirming it meets AS/NZS 2918:2018, AS4012 (emissions) and AS4013 (efficiency)
Example of detail to be provided:
Fees and charges
Fees for Section 68 Applications are outlined in Council's Fees and Charges. Council will issue you with an invoice once the application has been accepted by Council through the Portal Lodgement process.
Assessment process
Once accepted, the application will be assessed, and as part of this process you may be contacted to organise a site visit.
If the application is approved, you will be issued with a consent that includes conditions. You must comply with these conditions. One condition will be the requirement to book a final inspection. Prior to booking this inspection you must have completed, a Solid Fuel Heater - Compliance Certificate (PDF, 132.3 KB) from a licenced installer.
Solid Fuel Heater Compliance Certificate Application Form 132.3 KB Download
Correct installation
You must ensure your heater is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
The chimney or flue must be at least 300mm above the highest part of the building within a horizontal distance of 3.6m of the chimney or flue. See Figure 3.7.3.2 of the National Construction Code 2013 as seen below.
The above figure is the minimum standard under the Building Code of Australia which states that the chimney height must be 300mm above the highest part of the building when the chimney is within 3.6m of the ridge line.
New applications received by Council to install a solid fuel home heater may be required to comply with Australian / New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2918-2018 if they are in close proximity to neighbouring properties.
Maintenance
- Clean the chimney and flue at the end of every heating season
- Inspect the flue and chimney regularly to check for a build-up of soot and creosote
- Remove all ash at the end of the heating season to prevent corrosion of the heater and during the heating season maintain a shallow layer of ash on the hearth
Tips to reduce smoke from your wood heater
- Always use dry, well-seasoned wood in your wood heater
- Get a hot fire going quickly and use plenty of paper and small kindling to start
- Open air controls fully when lighting and loading, and keep air controls open enough to ensure your fire is burning brightly
- Use larger pieces of wood once the fire is well-established
- Check your chimney or flue at least once every evening to make sure your fire is not smoking excessively
Legal Considerations
Penalties may apply if the owner of the solid fuel home heater is using the heater in an environmentally unsatisfactory manner. Penalties may also apply if a solid fuel home heater is installed without approval from Council. Prevention Notices and fines can be issued under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997 (POEO Act) and Orders may be issued under the Local Government Act, 1993 (LGA).