These notes should be read in conjuction with the detailed ICS Installation Instructions.

Mandatory Requirements

Connection to an appliance which is not connected to the fuel supply, may be carried out by a competent person. However, connection to an appliance that is connected to the fuel supply must be carried out by a GAS SAFE (gas) or OFTEC (oil) registered installer. We recommend the use of HETAS approved installers  for solid fuel applications.

The flue system must be installed to comply with Building Regulations Document J (in England, Wales & Northern Ireland). Separate Building Regulations apply in Scotland. The installation must also comply with BS EN15287 Parts 1 & 2 and BS5440 pt 1: 2000 for gas flues up to 70kW.

Jointing

Pips, bends, tees and flue gas carrying components are joined together by a simple push fit. The joint is then secured by fitting a locking band. The male spigot should be uppermost and pointing in the direction of the terminal as indicated on the product label. All components with a female form will be supplied with a locking band.

Gaskets must be used for ICS Plus (ordered separately and are required for high efficiency and condensing applications) and should be fitted dry and lubrication applied to the internal of the female liner socket.

Joints are not permitted within all and ceiling spaces. Any flue pipe (i.e. single wall) connection to the chimney must be made in the same room as the appliance. The chimney must project at least 150mm below the ceiling. Where a chimney passes through a wall, a wall sleeve must be used to prevent damage to the chimney and the building.

Adjustable Length

An ICS range of adjustable pipes provides flexibility during installation. Assembly is achieved by the removal of the insulation (if necessary) to the desired length, and is then secured using the jointing band supplied. The adjustable length is not loadbearing, therefore adequate support must be provided immediately above.

Connection to Appliance

Use the appropriate appliance connector, sealing with fire rope and fire cement or high temperature sealant on soild fuel appliances and the appropriate lip seal in the case of condensing appliances. The inner liner should not project below the appliance outlet spigot and can be cut to length if required.

Appliance Removal

Use of an adjustable length immediately above the appliance enables removal of the appliance leter without dismantling the full system.

Painting

If required to be painted, simply clean the surface with a solvent cleaner (White Spirit), apply a coat of primer and a top coat of high temperature paint e.g. enamel. Extreme care must be taken when cleaning with solvent to ensure that it does not come into contact with the insulation within the cavity or gasket if fitted.

Enclosure/Shafts

With the exception of the room containing the appliance, where the chimney passes through any part of the building, where there is a risk of accidental human contact, i.e a bedroom etc., or where there is a risk of contact with combustible materials stored in a cupboard or in the roof-space, the chimney must be enclosed in an appropriate way to meet Building Regulations. This can be achieved by boxing in the chimney in habitable rooms, or by the use of protective wire mesh frame in roof spaces etc. In all cases the minimum distance to any combustible material, including loft insulation, must be respected according to the table on p.2, and any enclosure should be ventilated using the appropriate ventilated fire stops.

Distance to combustibles

In accordance with building regulations it is essential that the correct distance to combustible material is maintained. On soilid fuel applications, where there is a risk of soot fire, a distance of 60mm to combustibles must be maintained within a combustible floor and within a combustible shaft (see Fig 1). There is no need to line the area within the floor cavity with plasterboard; however the ventilated fire stop plate and ventilated support plate must be used.

On gas and oil applications, a distance of 50mm to combustibles must be maintained within a combustible floor and within a combustible shaft. The ventilated fire stop place and ventilated support plate must be used.

Where the chimney penetrates a non combustible floor and where a non combustible shaft is used, a distance of 50mm to the shaft is sufficient. In this case, non ventilated fire stops and non ventilated support plates may be used at first floor level with a ventilated fire stop being used where the chimney penetrates into the roof space. On condensing appliances, where temperatures will not exceed 200oC the tested and approved distance to combustibles is zero mm.

Support Components

The weight of a chimney system is considerable and requires independent support. Minimal weight should be taken by the appliance. The weight of the chimney can be supported from floor level using a Base support plate or Telescopic floor support; from the wall by using wall support top plates together with side plates or cantilever brackets; or from first floor level using a support plate and clamp fixed to the floor/ceiling joist.

Wall brackets and roof brackets are not load bearing and provide lateral support only.

Refer to the load bearing tables for full details on manimum loadings.

Where the flue is free standing above the roof and its height exceeds 1.5m beyond the last support or the roof, a guy wire bracket must be used, and every 1.5m thereafter. Alternatively, a height of up to 3m can be achieved unsupported with the use of a structural locking band at the joint immediately below and every joint above the roof level.