This part covers the air supply, discharge of combustion products and protection of the building, for solid fuel, gas and oil appliances, along with the provision of information for heaths, fireplaces, flues and chimneys. Also included is the protection of liquid fuel storage tanks and bottles and protection against pollution from oil storage tanks and associated pipework.
Approved Document J
2010 edition incorporating 2010, 2013 and 2022 amendments: Valid from 1 October 2022
PDF file: 3.35 MB, 89 pages
The requirements in this edition of Approved Document J are as follows:
J1 – Air supply
Combustion appliances shall be so installed that there is an adequate supply of air to them for combustion, to prevent overheating and for the efficient working of any flue .
Limits on application
Requirements J1 apply only to fixed combustion appliances (including incinerators).
J2 – Discharge of products of combustion
Combustion appliances shall have adequate provision for the discharge of products of combustion to the outside air.
Limits on application
Requirements J2 apply only to fixed combustion appliances (including incinerators).
J3 – Warning of release of carbon monxide
Where a fixed combustion appliance is provided, appropriate provision shall be made to detect and give warning of the release of carbon monoxide.
Limits on application
Requirements J3 apply only to fixed combustion appliances located in dwellings.
J4 – Protection of building
Combustion appliances and fluepipes shall be so installed, and fireplaces and chimneys shall be so constructed and installed, as to reduce to a reasonable level the risk of people suffering burns or the building catching fire in consequence of their use.
Limits on application
Requirements J4 apply only to fixed combustion appliances (including incinerators)
J5 – Provision of information
Where a hearth, fireplace, flue or chimney is provided or extended, a durable notice containing information on the performance capabilities of the hearth, fireplace, flue or chimney shall be affixed in a suitable place in the building for the purpose of enabling combustion appliances to be safely installed.
Limits on application
None
J6 – Protection of liquid fuel storage systems
Liquid fuel storage systems and the pipes connecting them to combustion appliances shall be so constructed and separated from buildings and the boundary of the premises as to reduce to a reasonable level the risk of the fuel igniting in the event of fire in adjacent buildings or premises.
Limits on application
Requirement J6 applies only to:
(a) fixed oil storage tanks with capacities greater than 90 litres and connecting pipes; and
(b) fixed liquefied petroleum gas storage installations with capacities greater than 150 litres and connecting pipes, which are located outside the building and which serve fixed combustion appliances (including incinerators) in the building.
J7 – Protection against pollution
Oil storage tanks and the pipes connecting them to combustion appliances shall –
(a) be so constructed and protected as to reduce to a reasonable level the risk of the oil escaping and causing pollution; and
(b) have affixed in a prominent position a durable notice containing information on how to respond to an oil escape so as to reduce to a reasonable level the risk of pollution.
Limits on application
Requirement J7 applies only to fixed oil storage tanks with capacities of 3500 litres or less, and connecting pipes, which are –
(a) located outside the building; and
(b) serve fixed combustion appliances (including incinerators) in a building used wholly or mainly as a private dwelling, but does not apply to buried systems.
Archived copies of Approved Document J
July 2022 amendments to the Approved Documents
Valid from 1 October 2022
PDF file: 165 KB, 8 pages
Approved Document J – 2010 edition incorporating 2010 and 2013 amendments
Valid from 1 July 2013 until 1 October 2022
The requirements in this edition were:
J1 – Air supply
J2 – Discharge of products of combustion
J3 – Warning of release of carbon monoxide
J4 – Protection of building
J5 – Provision of information
J6 – Protection of liquid fuel storage systems
J7 – Protection against pollution
PDF file: 2.52 MB, 89 pages
2013 amendments to the Approved Documents
Valid from 6 April 2013 until 1 Ocotber 2022
PDF file: 72 KB, 2 pages
Approved Document J – 2010 edition incorporating further 2010 amendments
Valid from 1 October 2010 until 6 April 2013
The requirements in this edition were:
J1 – Air supply
J2 – Discharge of products of combustion
J3 – Warning of release of carbon monoxide
J4 – Protection of building
J5 – Provision of information
J6 – Protection of liquid fuel storage systems
J7 – Protection against pollution
PDF file: 3.80 MB, 89 pages
October 2010 amendments to the Approved Documents and Compliance Guides
Valid from 1 October 2010 until 6 April 2013
PDF file: 124 KB, 4 pages
Approved Document J – 2010 edition
Valid from 1 October 2010 until 6 April 2013
The requirements in this edition were:
J1 – Air supply
J2 – Discharge of products of combustion
J2A – Warning of release of carbon monoxide
J3 – Protection of building
J4 – Provision of information
J5 – Protection of liquid fuel storage systems
J6 – Protection against pollution
PDF file: 4.59 MB, 92 pages
October 2004 edition guidance and supplementary information
Valid from October 2004 until 1 October 2010
This document was issued to provide guidance and supplementary information on the UK implementation of European standards for chimneys and flues.
PDF file: 710 KB, 63 pages
Approved Document J – 2002 edition
Valid from 1 April 2002 until 1 October 2010
The requirements in this edition were:
J1 – Air supply
J2 – Discharge of products of combustion
J3 – Protection of building
J4 – Provision of information
J5 – Protection of liquid fuel storage systems
J6 – Protection against pollution
PDF file: 4.59 MB, 73 pages
Approved Document J – 1990 edition with 1992 amendments
Valid from ??? until 1 April 2002
The requirements in this edition were:
J1/2/3 – Heat producing appliances
PDF file: 4.59 MB, 73 pages
Approved Document J – 1990 edition
Valid from 1 April 1990 until ???
The requirements in this edition were:
J1/2/3 – Heat producing appliances
No download currently available
Approved Document J – 1985 edition
Valid from 11 November 1985 until 1 April 1990
The requirements in this edition were:
J1/2/3 – Heat producing appliances
PDF file: 4.52 MB, 18 pages