Councils have the power to introduce extra controls on emissions. They will do so if they detect air quality problems in the area.<\/p>\n
As a rule, the area would include a number of streets or it could be a much bigger area.<\/p>\n
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In fact, local authorities have been carrying out air quality reviews and assessments since December 1997. The results in localised areas can mean they will declare it as an Air Quality Management Area and set up plans for improvements.<\/p>\n
Defra produce an interactive map of Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA)<\/a>. You can check whether your business will be affected by:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n UK councils also have authority to declare smoke control areas. You can only use authorised fuels (or exempted furnaces and boilers) in these zones. Apart from a few isolated exceptions, chimney smoke is not allowed.<\/p>\n Thus, check whether you are in one of the smoke control areas<\/a> if you work as a contractor in different locations.<\/p>\n Failing to comply with local authority controls can result in a fine up to £1,000 for each offence committed.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n As a general rule, the most pollutant type of smoke tends to be the darkest. However, any smoke that is darker than a specified shade of grey will be ‘officially’ classified as ‘dark smoke’.<\/p>\n Authorities use the Ringelmann chart to define dark smoke (shade 2 or darker). The chart contains five different shades of grey (0 being clear and 5 being black).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You must not allow the release dark smoke from your business premises. That rule applies to chimneys serving furnaces and fixed boilers or industrial plants (whether attached to a building or not).<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: Some exemptions may apply if the smoke emissions will not cause damage to health or cause a nuisance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You would need to get a permit for most types of boilers, furnaces, and generators. The type, and the amount, of fuel that you burn would determine which kind of permit you need.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Part A(1) environmental permit applies to appliances that:<\/p>\n You can get a Part A(1) permit from:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Part B environmental permit applies to appliances that:<\/p>\n You can get a Part B permit from:<\/p>\n\n
\nSmoke Control Areas<\/h2>\n
\nDark Smoke Regulations<\/h2>\n
\nChimney and Boiler Restrictions<\/h2>\n
\nPermits for Boilers and Furnaces<\/h2>\n
\nPart A(1) Environmental Permit<\/h2>\n
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\nPart B Environmental Permit<\/h2>\n
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