What is a smoke control area?
A Smoke Control Area is a designated zone where regulations are enforced to limit air pollution caused by smoke emissions. These areas play a vital role in improving air quality and protecting public health. Found across many urban regions in the UK, including waterways and canals, their boundaries are set and managed by local authorities.
Smoke control areas – a brief history
Smoke Control Areas were introduced in response to severe air pollution caused by coal burning, particularly during the Great Smog of London in 1952. This smog, caused by excessive smoke and pollution from domestic fires, industrial and vehicle emissions, led to many thousands of deaths, which highlighted the need for air quality regulations. At the time of the Great Smog, a temperature inversion trapped pollutants close to the ground. Normally, warm air rises, allowing pollutants to disperse, but during this period of the Great Smog, a layer of cold air was trapped under warm air, causing the smog to linger. At the time, London heavily relied on coal for heating homes and powering various industries.
In 1956, the Clean Air Act was set in place. This legislation restricted the burning of smoky fuels in urban areas and promoted the use of cleaner alternatives. It also pushed for the relocation of industry away from densely populated areas. Over the decades that followed, there were various changes and developments to the improvement of air quality. Today, the air is a great deal cleaner than it once was. There is still plenty to do, however.
What Types of Appliances and Fuels are Allowed?
Within a smoke control area, there are restrictions on the fuel types you can burn and the appliances you can use. Only specific solid fuels which have been authorised are allowed to be used within a smoke control area, which include:
Semi-anthracite
Low volatile steam coal
Anthracite
What about wood?
If you wish to use a fuel that is not on the authorised list, like wood, you can do so, but you must use an appliance that Defra has exempted, such as an Ecodesign stove.
There are appliance certification schemes designed to make it easy for the public to choose a stove that is Defra exempt. These include the clearSkies scheme – all appliances with a Level 3 and above clearSkies mark have been independently verified as being Defra exempt. If you burn wood, it is essential that you only burn correctly seasoned wood. The diagram below demonstrates this in very simple terms. Learn more about seasoning wood.
How do I know if I am in a smoke control area?
It’s best to check with your local council. Usually, the environmental services department will be able to tell you if you’re in a smoke control area. There is also a very useful map to use – more info.
Look for notices or signs outdoors. Sometimes, if you’re in a smoke control area, there is public signage to indicate such.
What are the penalties?
There are fines if you decide to ignore the smoke control rules in your area. You could face a penalty of up to £300, and the purchase or use of unauthorised fuel in a non-exempt appliance can lead to fines up to £1,000. Repeat violations can result in larger penalties and possible further action.
Improving Health and Lowering Carbon Footprint
Smoke control areas are designed to improve the health of people living in such locations and to help lower the number of pollutants in the atmosphere. These smoke control areas help reduce the chances of smog forming, which, way back in the 1950s and before, caused significant health issues and deaths. Going forwards, smoke control areas will continue to help lower the rate of pollution-related diseases in areas which, previously, were subject to excessive pollution.
