Page 641 - The City and Guilds Textbook: Plumbing Book 1 for the Level 3 Apprenticeship (9189), Level 2 Technical Certificate (8202) and Level 2 Diploma (6035)

Chapter 10 Domestic fuel systems

2 FACTORS THAT AFFECT THE

SELECTION OF FUELS

There are many reasons why the fuels used in domestic appliances are chosen:
l Availability: the availability of fuels plays a big part when choosing the
right fuel for an installation. For example, for most of the UK, natural gas is
available piped to the home with no interruption of supply. However, in many
rural areas, the piped gas supply is many miles away. In this instance, like
other fuels such as coal and oil, gas is delivered by suppliers and the customer
is dependent on a regular fuel delivery. While, in most cases, this does not
pose a problem, in times of inclement weather, deliveries may be interrupted
or cancelled, leaving the customer with no means of heating or cooking.
l Appliance type: the type of fuel available will dictate the type of appliance
used, and vice versa. Some appliances may be dual-fuel types, where two
types of fuel may be used in the same appliance. It must be remembered
that gas appliances must be purchased in line with gas type available. A
natural gas appliance cannot be used on an LPG supply. Similarly, a coal-fired
boiler will have solid fuels recommended by the manufacturer and must not
be used with other types of solid fuel.
l Fuel storage requirements: with the exception of natural gas, all fuels
require storage space within the boundary of the property. With solid fuels
and biomass, these can take up considerable space. Biomass also needs to
be kept reasonably dry. Where oil and LPG are concerned, space may not be
the issue. However, safe distances from the property to store the fuel may be
dictated either by legislation or manufacturers’ instructions.
l Environmental considerations: most fuels used in hot water and heating
systems directly or indirectly create waste products that are harmful to
the atmosphere. These may be by direct pollution, such as soot and sulphur
emissions from coal and oil combustion, or saturation of the atmosphere by
CO . Some gases released by fossil fuel combustion, such as nitrogen dioxide
2
(NO ), are extremely toxic in large quantities.
2
With solid fuels, there is an added environmental problem in the form of
ash and clinker left over from the combustion process that requires careful
consideration and disposal. Consultation and advice should be sought from the
fuel supplier and local authority as to the recommended disposal methods.
l Smoke control legislation: under the Clean Air Act of 1993, local authorities
may declare that a district is a smoke control area. It is an offence under this
Act to emit smoke from a chimney from a boiler or furnace located within an INDUSTRY TIP
area designated a smoke control area.
In Greater London, the Clean Air Act of 1993 is used to control the The Department for
emissions, not just from oil and solid fuel boilers but also biomass Environment, Food & Rural
appliances that may also emit other noxious fumes, fly ash particulates and Affairs’ website can be
low levels of ozone gas. accessed at: www.gov.uk/
In some instances, certain appliances and smokeless-type fuels may be government/organisations/
department-for-environment-
exempt from the Clean Air Act. In these circumstances, advice should be food-rural-affairs
sought from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

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