Apply for a solid fuel heater building consent​

There are typically two inspections on these types of fires.  Once the building consent has been issued, you will need to arrange for an inspection of the existing fireplace BEFORE the new appliance is installed. The Inspector will check that: -

• The chimney and fireplace are structurally sound and suitable for the new heater, and that any gaps or holes in the fireplace have been adequately sealed.
• The existing hearth is sound and that the width meets the heater manufacturer’s specifications.
  

If the current fireplace and chimney are constructed of masonry (brickwork) then the Inspector will check its double thickness, unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.

The second inspection is undertaken once the appliance has been installed to check clearances, flues, and smoke alarms.

The fireplace must NOT be used until an Inspector checks it meets all the requirements.

Once the Building Consent has been issued, and the heater installed, you will need to arrange an inspection of the new heating appliance to ensure compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications and the approved plans. This inspection MUST happen prior to the heater being used.

We check: 

• Hearth construction
• Wall clearances
• Flues
• Seismic restraint
• Smoke alarms
• Wetback if installed.

A building consent can only be issued for a second-hand solid fuel heater if it is less than three years old.​

A second-hand solid fuel heater that is older than three years old can receive a building consent, however it will have to be inspected by a suitably qualified person, and shown to be safe, of sound construction, and compliant with building standards ASNZS-29182018 and ASNZS-38691999.​

You will be required to provide supporting evidence in your building consent application to validate the age of the solid fuel heater, and you must have the correct installation instructions.

The National Environmental Standards for Air Quality are regulations made under the Resource Management Act 1991. They set a guaranteed minimum level of health protection for all New Zealanders.  When applying for a building consent for a fireplace you will need to comply with these standards to ensure your fire has an appropriate level of emissions and efficiency. All new wood burners installed from 1 September 2005 on properties less than 2 hectares in size must have emissions of less than 1.5 grams of particles per kilogram of dry wood burnt and a thermal efficiency of not less than 65 per cent. Find more information on energy efficiency on MBIE's website.

You are exempt from these regulations if your heater is: -

• A multi-fuel heater
• A stove designed and used for cooking
• Your property is larger than two hectares
• Or your heater was installed prior to 2005 (unless reinstalled).