HEATING SYSTEM EXPERTISE
3 steps to legalising a heating system:
Many people have built a heating appliance (stove, cooker or fireplace) in their apartment that now has to be legalised retrospectively, or have bought a home where the previous owner installed a heating appliance without permission. Even if the heating system has been used for years without any problems, its safety still has to be proven.
Read more in the Rescue Board's information leaflet about the steps needed to legalise a heating system.
When is a heating system expertise required?
An expert assessment of the heating system is needed if no design or report on covered works with as-built drawings (by a licensed stove builder) has been prepared for the heating appliances; in that case a heating system expertise must be carried out.
Who needs a heating system expertise?
A heating system expertise is needed to legalise the heating system, but above all for the owners themselves, to ensure the safe use of heating appliances. The expertise is also needed by those applying for a use permit when the heating appliances lack documents (manufacturer’s passport, certificate, installer’s report on covered works).
What does the heating system expertise involve?
The expertise assesses the fire safety of the heating system (heating appliances, flue connection, chimney).
How long does the expertise take?
During the visual inspection, the building’s heating system is assessed and any remarks are given. Depending on the number of heating appliances and chimneys, the inspection may take 2–4 hours; the expert must be given access to all heating appliances, including in outbuildings, and to the chimneys on the roof. The initial expertise result is ready within 15–30 working days unless agreed otherwise.
Any deficiencies found must be remedied so that the final result is a positive expertise that ensures the safe use of the building’s heating system.
What can I do to speed up the expert assessment?
To speed up the heating system expertise, we recommend that the owner submit in advance the floor plans showing the locations of the heating appliances and the chimney sweeping report.
Which standards is the heating system expertise based on?
The expert assessment is based on the following standards:
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EVS 812-3:2018 – Heating systems
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EVS 812-3:2013 – Heating systems
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EVS 812-3:2007 – Heating systems
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EVS 812-3:2002 – Heating systems
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Rescue Board guidance material “Building a heating system 2015”
Frequently asked questions
When is a heating system expertise needed?
When a stove, cooker, fireplace or chimney has no design and no stove-builder’s report on covered works with as-built drawings. This is often the case with heating appliances inherited from a previous owner or built long ago.
What does the expertise cover?
We assess the fire safety of heating appliances, flue connections and chimneys against the requirements of EVS 812-3 (including the versions valid at the time of construction). The result is a written assessment with remarks.
Is a heating system expertise needed for a use permit?
Yes, if the heating appliances have no manufacturer’s passport, certificate or installer’s report. A fire safety audit does not assess heating appliances, so a separate expertise is needed in that case.
How long does the expertise take?
The site visit takes 2–4 hours, depending on the number of heating appliances and chimneys. The preliminary result is ready within 15–30 working days unless agreed otherwise.
How can the process be sped up?
Send us floor plans marking the locations of the heating appliances and a valid chimney sweeping report in advance. On site, there must be access to all heating appliances, including in outbuildings, and to the chimneys on the roof.
We are your reliable partner in fire safety
Tulipunane OÜ is a privately owned company that has been providing fire safety services since 2012. Our core business is developing fire safety solutions for the design and construction stages.
Our strength is our experienced fire safety specialists, who find a sensible solution even in the most difficult situations.