"This means you won’t need a full application, but it is generally recommended that you obtain a lawful development certificate for your records. "Fitting, altering or replacing an external flue or chimney usually falls under your permitted development rights," says Marcus Hirst. It is unlikely that installing a double-sided fireplace will require planning permission - although if you live in a listed property it will almost certainly require you to apply for listed building consent. (Image credit: Ludlow Stoves) Will I need planning permission for a double sided fireplace? Either way, this shouldn’t affect the look and feel of your design too much but will allow it to operate in the same manner as a traditional model, while still retaining anĭouble-sided fireplaces look fantastic when fitted with log burning stoves such as this one by Ludlow Stoves. It’s good anyway to do one or the other to reduce the chance of carbon monoxide or particulates filling up the room. You might get away with neither if the room is very large and well ventilated but this is up to the building control officer to determine. Flue design is much stricter, for example, if both sides of the fireplace are open, and will require either specialist mechanical extraction or safety glass on one side. "The guidelines set out the lengths, locations and measurements your team will need to consider, some of which will differ from a traditional fireplace. For custom models, these rules will still apply, and you’ll need to make sure the materials of anything near the fireplace – for example, the lintels, chimney, chimney lining and so on – have the required certification for building regulations’ sign off. "If you specify a double-sided wood burner then the clearance between the top of the unit and the top of the opening in the wall will be detailed in the manufacturer’s notes but will likely be at least 300mm from the top of the flames to the opening. "As a minimum, your fireplace will need to have: 50mm for the base, 75mm for the sidewalls, 100mm for the top slab, lintel or throat gather (a box which goes over the top of the fireplace/burner to fit the chimney/flue size if the hearth is large and the flue is small). "If you’re buying a prefabricated fireplace, make sure you’re paying close attention to the chamber and the thickness of the insulated concrete," says Marcus Hirst. You really need to pay close attention to the building regulations for chimneys, stoves and fireplaces when designing and installing a double-sided fireplace. (Image credit: Adam Scott Images c/o Turner Architects, Harrison Shortt Structural Engineers ) What building regulations should I know about? With its exposed flue, the fireplace in this extension, designed by Turner Architects and Harrison Shortt Structural Engineers, subtly demarcates the space while maintaining an open feel. "If the space is large enough or perhaps you’re extending or building a new home from scratch, then you could choose to have a flue without a chimney." It could be more cost effective to make a ‘false’ wall solely for the purpose of hosting the fireplace. ![]() "Be aware that it may not even be possible to hide a flue inside the chimney while still making sure everything is fireproof. ![]() ![]() You will need to find a solid wall (which will likely be structural) and knock through it to create the necessary openings," explains Marcus. "The most tricky element in retro-fitting a double-sided fireplace is where to locate it. Where double-sided fireplaces can really make sense is when adding an extension to an exterior wall with a fireplace already in place. In extensions and new builds double-sided fireplaces are a great idea but those simply remodelling or carrying out a cosmetic renovation should ask themselves whether adding one is really worth it. You can either use an online heat calculator or call in the services of a HETAS engineer who can recommend the right fire." "You’ll also need to make sure that the heat output is high enough to heat the rooms on both sides. "In particular, whether you’re creating a new chimney breast or modifying an existing one, you’ll need to ensure the opening has lintels front and back to hold up the wall above," explains architectural technician Marcus Hirst.
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