Solid or liquid fuel burners

Installing a second hand solid or liquid fuel burner
Other heating systems requiring building consent
Amending your consent for a solid or liquid fuel burner
Fees
Other useful information

All solid and liquid fuel space heaters (such as wood, pellet and diesel burners) require a building consent. To apply for a building consent please complete application form B-002H and provide the information listed there on.

Form B-002H application [DOC 621KB]
Form B-002H application [PDF 592KB]

To be installed in Christchurch they must have Environment Canterbury (ECan) and Council approval:

ECan approval

Nature's Flame (Solid Energy) and WH Harris have approval from ECan to install 405 approved pellet fires (maximum 40mg/MJ) in new homes or homes that do not have a woodburner, open fire or other solid fuel burner now in Christchurch Clean Air Zone, contact Nature's Flame or WH Harris if you wish to install a pellet fire under their Resource Consent.
The burner must be on ECan's approved list.

For enquiries contact Environment Canterbury Clean Air Now:
Phone: (03) 353 9276
Email: customer.services@ecan.govt.nz.

Christchurch City Council approval

The building consent Application Form B-002H must be completed, fee paid, and the application approved before the fire is installed. Most burners shown on the list of authorised appliances have had their installation instructions checked and approved by the City Council, so the application can be processed quickly if the form is filled out completely, accurately and accompanied by the correct supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation required to accompany the application is listed on the application form. This includes a full layout plan of the house to be provided. This is to locate the burner, and also the position of smoke detectors that may be required. This plan must also include any sleepout on the property, and if an diesel/oil burner is used show the position and details of the storage tank.
A Code Compliance Certificate must be issued before the burner is used. This involves filling the relevant application form and having an inspection carried out by the Council. Please note that use of the burner before the issue of the Code Compliance Certificate may jeopardise your insurance.

If the burner is not a pre-approved model, then please consult with a Council Building Consent Officer by phoning (03) 941 8999 .

Installing a second hand solid or liquid fuel burner

Second hand solid and liquid fuel burners can not be installed unless:

A current Clean Air approval label is attached to the appliance (not applicable to some minor rural areas of Christchurch).
Written evidence is provided to show that the appliance meets Building Code requirements (An acceptable method is a satisfactory report from the manufacturer or manufacturers agent).
A new inner flue is required in all cases.
The issue of a building consent does not relieve the owner of any duty or responsibility under any other act.

Other heating systems requiring building consent

Other heating systems which require building consent include any system using reticulated water, like under floor heaters or radiators where these are connected to the potable water supply; and all HVAC systems (excluding heat pumps).

Heaters not requiring building consent:

Gas heaters (permanently fixed in place) do not need a building consent, but they must be installed by a registered gas fitter who will certify their own work.
Fixed electric space heaters, including heat pumps do not require building consents but they must be installed by registered electricians who certify their own work.

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Amending your consent for a solid or liquid fuel burner

If you decide to amend you consent (such as changing the Make or Model of your burner) then you will need to make a formal application for amendment. The fixed fee (as stated on our schedule of fees) will need to accompany any application.

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