Solar water heating - legislation, insurance, planning...

Insurance

Most domestic solar water heating systems are automatically included in general household policies apart from frost damage. However we recommend that insurers are best informed in writing in any case.

Planning

Most systems fitted to existing buildings do not need to involve planning controls

The exceptions are in conservation areas, national parks and listed buildings. In these cases the first step is to talk with the relevant local planning officer. We have assisted successful applications even when there has been an initially negative feedback. Typically if roof aerials, satellite dishes or skylights are permitted then so too can solar collectors. Sometimes the planning officers are simply unaware of the new designs and possible locations for solar collectors.

Where the official view is strongly against the idea of normal roof collectors, then we suggest considering roof integrated, wall or ground mounted collectors.

Planners normally consider the following :

Appearance and visual impact
Impact character of area
Visibility from road
Area in relation to roof

New buildings normally include the solar systems as part of the whole planning application for the development.

Town & Country planning (GPDO) 1995 Schedule 2, Part 1, Class B,C or E

Town & Country planning (GDO) 1992 Schedule 2, Part 1

TAN8 & PPS 22

Relevant standards

BS 6785 : 1986, Domestic solar swimming pools systems

2000 ACOP&G L8 The control of legionella bacteria in water systems

DD ENV 12977-1 (Drafts)

DD ENV 12977-2 (Drafts)

DD ENV 12977-3 (Drafts)

BS EN 12975-1(British Standards)

BS EN 12975-2 (British Standards)

BS 12976-2 (British Standards)

BS 12976-1 (British Standards)

Enforceable legislation

Building Regulations 2001 Part L1

Local water byelaws

The water supply (water fittings) Regulations 1999

Heath & safety at Work Act (HSW) 1974

Management Heath & safety at Work (MHSWR) 1999

Construction (Health, Safety & Welfare) 1996

Construction Regulations 1989

Construction Design and Management (CDM) 1994

Lifting operations and Equipment (LOLER) 1998

Manual handling operations 1992

Provision and Use of Work Equipment (PUWER) 1998

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) 1992

Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981

Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations

(RIDDOR) 1995 Noise at Work Regulations 1989 Electricity at Work

Regulations 1989 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations

(COSHH) 1994 Personal Protective equipment at work 1992