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You must follow set rules when you install an indoor fireplace. The rules are in place to help limit particle emissions from fires. These emissions are bad for your health and can be a nuisance for you and your neighbours.
Install, replace or relocate a fireplace
If you want to install, replace or relocate a fireplace, you must get a building consent.
Auckland Unitary Plan – air quality rules (AUP-AQ)
All properties with any indoor or outdoor fireplace must meet the AUP-AQ requirements. This means that use of your fireplace must not cause a nuisance to your neighbours, regardless of the size or location of the property.
Go to page 23 (A124) of Auckland Unitary Plan Chapter E14 Air Quality [PDF 391KB] to read these rules in full.
National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES-AQ)
Any indoor fireplace installed on a property of less than 2ha after 1 September 2005 must also meet the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality (NES-AQ).
These fireplaces must have:
- a maximum particle emission rate The amount of tiny particles, like dust or smoke, released into the air over a set amount of time. This is the rate per kilogram of fuel burned. This rate is set to a standard to try to improve air quality. of 1.5g per kg
- a minimum thermal efficiency rate How well something turns heat into useful energy and how much is lost, such as through smoke. of 65 per cent.
Types of indoor fireplaces you can install
The type of indoor fireplace you can install depends on:
- the size of your property
- where you live
- the particle emission rate of the fireplace.
Wood burner
All wood burners must meet AUP-AQ standards.
If they are installed inside a home after 1 September 2005, they must be enclosed An enclosed wood burner is a heating appliance that burns wood inside a sealed, metal firebox.. This minimises air pollution and protects public health.
All indoor wood burners installed after 1 September 2005 on a property less than 2ha must meet both:
- AUP-AQ standards
- NES-AQ standards.
All indoor wood burners on a property equal to or larger than 2ha must meet AUP-AQ standards.
Visit Authorised wood burners list for a list of wood burners that meet the requirements.
Open solid fuel fireplace
Most indoor solid fuel open fireplaces Fireplaces with an open front, no cover and burn solid fuel including wood, coal and pellets. They often have higher emissions and so may not meet emission standards. do not meet required emission standards. These fireplaces often burn coal and pellets as well as wood.
Property owners should consider installing fireplaces with lower emissions, like an enclosed wood burner or gas fire.
You can continue to use indoor fireplaces, including open solid fuel fireplaces, that:
- were installed, replaced or retrofitted Where components or accessories have been added to something after it was first made or installed. before 1 September 2005
- are on a property of less than 2ha
- meet AUP-AQ standards
- still work.
Emissions from these fireplaces must not create an unacceptable risk to human health inside or outside the site boundary.
Gas and liquid fossil fuel fireplace
You can install indoor fires that burn gas or liquid fossil fuel, including open gas fires, anywhere in Auckland. These types of fires only release small particles into the air.
Rules and standards by property size
These rules and standards apply to all indoor fireplaces installed after 1 September 2005.