The Clean Air (Emission of Grit and Dust from Furnaces) Regulations 1971

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Section 2 of the Clean Air Act 1968 contains provisions with respect to the emission of grit and dust from the chimneys of certain furnaces, and in particular empowers the making of regulations which prescribe specific limits on the quantities which may be emitted in particular cases. These Regulations prescribe limits applicable to certain furnaces, namely—

(a)

furnaces of steam boilers and of appliances for the indirect heating of gas or liquid with a Maximum Continuous Rating of between—

(i)

825 and 475,000 pounds of steam per hour (from and at 100°C. (212°F.)) or (the alternative being an equivalent)

(ii)

825,000 and 475 million British thermal units per hour and

(b)

other furnaces of indirect heating appliances or in which the material being heated does not contribute to the emission, with a designated heat input of between 1·25 million and 575 million British thermal units per hour.

The section provides that emission of grit and dust at a higher rate will (subject to a statutory defence of “best practicable means”) constitute an offence.

The Regulations will come into force on 1st November 1971; but their application to existing furnaces (as described in Regulation 3) is postponed until 1st January 1978.