§ Mr. RendelTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria are used when determining the return air zones when drilling ventilation holes through the front doors of council homes in the north-east for the purpose of ensuring adequate combustion in natural gas fires.
§ Mr. BaldryThe Building Regulations 1991 require heat-producing appliances to be so installed that there is an adequate supply of air to them for combustion and for the efficient working of any flue-pipe or chimney. Where combustion appliances are not room-sealed, the provision of an appropriately sized ventilation opening in the room or space containing the combustion appliance will satisfy the requirement. Where the opening is to an adjoining room or space, this should have an opening of the same size direct to external air. Ventilation openings should not be in fire-resisting walls. A fuller explanation of what provisions are satisfactory is given in approved document J which accompanies the regulations.