Smoke Control

If you live in a smoke control area it is an offence under the Clean Air Order to emit smoke from a chimney as a result of burning an unauthorised fuel or to use an appliance which is not specifically exempted. 

In smoke control areas, residents are required to use 'authorised' smokeless fuels or install an 'exempted' fireplace.

For a fuel to be an 'authorised' smokeless fuel it must be tested to show that it produces less smoke than ordinary fuels, when it is burned.

An 'exempted' fireplace is an appliance such as a stove, heater or boiler which has been tested to show that it can be used for burning fuel, other than authorised fuels without producing any smoke or a substantial quantity of smoke.

Smoke control does not apply to the lighting of bonfires.

Is my house in a smoke control area?

Large parts of Castlereagh and Dundonald within our area are smoke control areas. Lisburn City and rural areas are not included in the smoke control area.

To find out if an area within Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is included in a smoke control area use our interactive map on this link

Is my fireplace exempted? Is my fuel authorised?

Fuels and fireplaces which have been successfully tested are put into regulations by the central government.

Click here for the Defra website to find out about exempt appliances and authorised fuels

* Defra is the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

For further information on smoke control contact:

Tel: 028 9244 7300

Email: ehealth@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk