What is HETAS?

1. You can find the HETAS site here HETAS UK
2. Their facebook page is here : HETAS UK on Facebook

HETAS  are now the official body recognised by the government to approve biomass, solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services including registration of competent installers and servicing businesses. One could liken them to the gas safety register which used to be known as the corgi register.

HETAS Objectives

• Promote and watch continuous improvement in the safe installation and use of solid fuel appliances, systems, chimneys, flues and in their maintenance.
• Encourage continual improvement of products and promote high standards of quality, design, safety and efficiency.
• Lead the industry in updating & maintaining uniform standards of education. Training at all levels to make sure safe, efficient installation and use of solid fuels, systems & appliances.
• Working with stakeholders to promote to the wider industry and its customers the means & benefits of achieving the safe, efficient use of solid fuels. The raising of standards & encouraging advice and guidance to solid fuel users.
• Influence legislation, regulations, policies (national & international levels) that affect the use of solid fuel & solid fuel appliances, systems, related products and services.
• Ensuring that HETAS is seen as offering an understandable and secure route through safety standards and relevant regulation in support of our organisational purpose.

  STOVES
  England and Wales

  The current situation in England and Wales now means all stove installations are subject to document J of the building regulations available. here: Document~J building regulations

  The HETAS association could be described as the Solid Fuel Associations equivalent to what used to be known as the Corgi register and is now known as the Gas Safety Register for gas fitters. HETAS cover all installation work on domestic solid fuel, wood, biomass and their associated systems which are subject to Building Regulations e.g.  heating, hot water and controls etc. The approved building documents F, J, L, G, P are applicable and most work is notifiable to the relevant Local Authority. The information notified is required for household insurance and the future sale of properties.
  Where work is carried out by a HETAS Registered Installer they can self-certificate their work via HETAS and save the customer applying for a Building Notice from their Local Authority. The HETAS route can save a lot of money and time for consumers and gives registered businesses an opportunity to charge a fair fee for a professional installation, including the notification process.

  Scotland

  Scottish Ministers are responsible for Building Regulations Standards in Scotland with the key purpose of protecting the public interest, creating building regulations and preparing technical guidance to make sure buildings are safe, efficient and sustainable for all. Technical Handbooks have now been consolidated to include publication errata and the changes brought about by the Building (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2011.
  These versions now include the new Section 7: Sustainability alongside minor changes to the technical guidance are available from the building regulations standards section.

  Standards

  There are many British Standards and European Standards. see here: HETAS Professional standards
  These apply to both the solid fuel and biomass industry and affect everything you do on a daily basis. Many of these are referenced in the HETAS Guide, the HETAS Technical Handbook and throughout the range of HETAS training manuals.
  To assist the industry HETAS has pulled together the latest set of standards along with quick links to each of the Standards on the BSI website where they can be purchased.

  So how does this affect me in Scotland?

  HETAS are the up and coming body who will eventually standardise the installations of stoves in the UK. However, at the moment the regulations they follow are NOT enforced in Scotland , so sadly many “cowboys” are now in the stove game. We regularly come across installations that might be cheap but are seriously sub standard. This can not only make our job more of a challenge (sometimes impossible) but also these installations are dangerous to yourself and your property. Also, many of their recommended stoves are cheap imports from China .. so remember: If you pay peanuts you get monkeys. In the age of “freedom of choice” the onus is on you to do your research and choose wisely.