Joint operation of solid fuel fireplaces and ventilation systems as well as ventilation units

HKI expert group for the joint operation of fireplaces and residential ventilation systems/devices

In order to be able to operate a solid fuel fireplace and a ventilation system in a building or a utilisation unit together, the legal basis has already been established in the past. Nevertheless, there were and still are problems with the practical implementation of joint operation in the buildings or units of use.

In order to remedy the problems in practice, the HKI Association invited the experts of the associations of the respective trades to discuss the topic across all sectors and to point out possibilities for improvement. It became clear that misunderstandings, overlaps and gaps in responsibility often occur when linking or combining different trades. In the end, the participants drew up an "overview of the joint operation of fireplaces for solid fuels and ventilation systems as well as ventilation units".

The overview sets out the various possible configurations for the joint operation of a solid-fuel fireplace, a ventilation system, a ventilation unit and, where necessary, safety equipment. The overview always refers to the case of single-occupancy flues with only one connected fireplace per unit of use.

For multiple-occupancy chimneys, please refer to the ZIV information sheet ‘On the combined operation of solid fuel fireplaces without fans connected to multiple-occupancy chimneys, ventilation units and air extraction systems – multiple occupancy’.

Below you will find an overview of the joint operation of solid fuel fireplaces (single occupancy) and ventilation systems, as well as ventilation units, and two model declarations (manufacturer’s declaration for domestic ventilation units and specialist contractor’s declaration) in German, which are intended to facilitate practical application.