BER - Chimneys require blocking

frustrated_ · 30-10-2019 11:02am #1

Hi. I'm need to block up some period fireplaces in my home that are no longer in use, to improve the BER rating. For aesthetics I would still like to keep them in the rooms and not completely board over.

Having spoken to the BER engineer this week he has advised that chimney balloons will not suffice or be considered.

Any advice on what the best options would be? Thanks.

D13exile · 30-10-2019 4:20pm

Blocking up chimneys is not a good idea as damp can build up and cause issues. There are certain types of cowls that sit on top of chimneys and a chain is dropped down through the chimney that can be used to open and close the cowl and thus allowing the chimney to be sealed/reopened as required.

https://www.goodwins.ie/products/Chimney-Control-Cowl-8-Chain-and-Spring-Loaded-System.html

sydthebeat · 30-10-2019 4:33pm

http://www.seai.ie/publications/Domestic-Technical-Bulletins.pdf

page 2

A chimney is specified in DEAP as a duct for combustion gases which has the equivalent open area of a circle
with 200mm diameter. If the duct’s open area less than a 200mm diameter circle then it is entered as an
open flue. Open flues are also specified in the following cases:
• a chimney for solid fuel appliances with controlled flow of the air supply (but not room sealed)
• a chimney with open fireplace having an air supply ducted from outside to a point adjacent to the
fireplace;
• a flexible flue liner sealed into a chimney;
• a chimney fitted with a chimney damper;
• a chimney fitted with an open-flue gas fire where the flue products outlet is sealed to the chimney;
• a permanently restricted fireplace fitted with ventilators (if ventilator open area does not exceed
equivalent of a 200mm diameter circle).

Temporary restrictions blocking the chimney (i.e restrictions which can be easily removed) do not eliminate
the chimney for the purposes of DEAP and it must still be included in the assessment. Permanent air supply
vents associated with the chimney or open flue are not counted in addition to the chimney or open flue.

any blocking of the chimney must not be removable, thus chimney balloons are not acceptable.

frustrated_ · 30-10-2019 4:52pm

D13exile wrote: »

Blocking up chimneys is not a good idea as damp can build up and cause issues. There are certain types of cowls that sit on top of chimneys and a chain is dropped down through the chimney that can be used to open and close the cowl and thus allowing the chimney to be sealed/reopened as required.

https://www.goodwins.ie/products/Chimney-Control-Cowl-8-Chain-and-Spring-Loaded-System.html

Unfortunately I don't have access to the roof so cowls aren't an option.

frustrated_ · 30-10-2019 5:01pm

sydthebeat wrote: »

http://www.seai.ie/publications/Domestic-Technical-Bulletins.pdf

page 2

any blocking of the chimney must not be removable, thus chimney balloons are not acceptable.

Thanks. The SEAI website also has a page "Tips to Improve your BER".

This states.

"There are some smaller changes you can make which will also result in energy savings and an improved BER" "Try to reduce draughts and install a chimney balloon in your fireplace when it’s not in use to keep heat in. Older vents may need replacing to encourage better airflow."

So hence I thought they might be ok. Do I have to go the timber or bricking up route?

sydthebeat · 30-10-2019 5:08pm

frustrated_ wrote: »

Thanks. The SEAI website also has a page "Tips to Improve your BER".

This states "Try to reduce draughts and install a chimney balloon in your fireplace when it’s not in use to keep heat in. Older vents may need replacing to encourage better airflow."

So hence I thought they might be ok. Do I have to go the timber or bricking up route?

well technically they are correct as a balloon would change the status of the open fire from a "chimney" to an "open flue" and thus the BER would become ever so slightly better.

but if you have to remove the chimney altogether from the BER assessment, then timber is the way to go (at least that allows for easier reinstatement after, compared to brickwork)

C3PO · 31-10-2019 3:28pm

As a matter of interest - why do you want to improve the BER rating? Are you planning on selling?

Susan O · 04-01-2023 11:34am

I would like to close the damper in the chimney to block off the draught but when I look up the chimney I can't find a handle to close the damper Is it possible that I don't have a damper? There is a terrible gail blowing down my chimney I put a sheep up but the gail is as bad as ever I think if I could just close the damper it would solve the problem Please advise where I can see the damper

Girl Geraldine · 04-01-2023 11:49am

Why do you want the higher BER rating? Do you just want an nice looking BER cert, or do you want to actually keep the heat in?

Would screwing on a square of insulated building board over the fireplace be enough for the BER man to be happy to tick his box?

If so then work away and do that. And as soon as you have your BER cert in hand, just unscrew the board again. You have your chimney and fireplace, and you have your desired BER cert. Unless a potential buyer asking for the cert knows the detailed ins and outs of the DEAP, then they are most unlikely to question it.

After that, use the balloon if you want to keep the heat in.

The whole BER system is frankly a crock of shít based on defaults and notional heating and occupancy patterns. It is nowhere near a true reflection of the actual energy used by a building.