Are you planning to install a new indoor or outdoor fireplace in NZ? First, you need to make sure that it doesn’t violate any codes or regulations. Fireplaces come with a lot of health and safety hazards, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, house fires, and respiratory illnesses, so it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
What you need to install an indoor or outdoor fireplace in NZ
Indoor fireplaces
Unlike gas fireplaces, indoor wood-burning fireplaces require building consent. Without consent, you can only conduct minor building work, such as replacing a stainless steel flue, an outer flue liner, and other parts that can easily be removed.
Some of the documents you’ll need to obtain consent include the proof of ownership of your home, your existing and proposed floor plans for the fireplace, and your wood burner’s specifications. Building consent for a wood burner will also cost $261, with an additional $51.75 fee if you are applying for the code compliance certificate online.
Once you’ve installed the wood burner, you must schedule an inspection. Free-standing stoves require only one inspection, whereas inbuilt fireplaces require two—one before the firebox fitting and another after installation.
Outdoor fireplaces
If you are building an outdoor fireplace, you may be able to take advantage of some exemptions. For example, you don’t need any consent if the wood burner meets the following requirements:
- It is located at least 1 metre away from combustible objects like trees and shrubs
- It is at least 1 metre away from your fence
- It has a height of 2.5 metres or less and a cooking surface of 1 square metre or less
- It is not covered by a roof or wall
Indoor or outdoor fireplaces in NZ will not only keep you warm but also enhance the look and feel of your home. To ensure that your fireplace meets the requirements for building consent, consider working with an experienced fireplace technician or installation expert.
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