Air quality

Smoke Control Areas

What is a Smoke Control Area?

A Smoke Control Area is agreed by the local council and is an area where you are not allowed to:

  • emit visible smoke from a chimney, including moored vessels such as canal boats
  • burn solid fuel, such as wood and coal, that is not authorised, unless it is to be used in a Defra exempt appliance.

The purpose of a Smoke Control Area is to reduce the amount of harmful smoke being released from chimneys, this is because smoke damages our local air quality and is harmful to everyone's health.

Smoke control areas are only used to enforce emissions of smoke from building chimneys, not from fires outside in the open for example smoke from bonfires, barbecues, garden waste incinerators and chiminea.

These rules apply for the whole of Sandwell from 1 July 2024.

Is Sandwell a Smoke Control Area?

Until recently Sandwell had 52 separate Smoke Control Orders but after a public consultation in May 2022 the Council made the decision to replace these orders with one order that extends across the whole of Sandwell and includes boats. The new order is called  the 'Borough Council of Sandwell Smoke Control Order 2022' and this came into operation on 1 July 2024.  

If you’re not sure if your home or business is in Sandwell you can check using your postcode at the find a local council web page.

What you can burn in a smoke control area

If you have an open fireplace or non-exempt appliance in your home or inside another other building, you are only allowed to use fuels on the list of authorised fuels published by the UK Government, or one of the following 'smokeless' fuels:

  • anthracite
  • semi-anthracite
  • gas
  • low volatile steam coal

Further guidance about the rules in a smoke control area is available from Defra including a small booklet on open fires and wood burning stoves.

Exempt appliances that can burn unauthorised fuels

Wood can only be burned in a smoke control area if you are using an appliance that has been approved by the Government (Defra) and you must only use the types of fuel stated by the manufacturer of that stove or boiler.

When a stove/boiler is installed it must be fitted correctly to meet with Building Regulation requirements. This means ensuring your stove is installed by a certified solid fuel appliance engineer who will then register the installation with Sandwell's Building Consultancy Service or by making a formal application to Sandwell's Building Consultancy service stating a certified engineer is not to be used.

Outdoor ovens, burners and barbecues

You can still use outdoor barbecues, chiminea, fireplaces and pizza ovens but remember excessive or toxic smoke from these could still be considered a statutory nuisance, especially if it impacts on the health or quality of other people nearby. You can find out more about bonfires and the rules around burning waste on our 'Report a bonfire problem' page.

Penalties for breaking the rules

If you do not follow the rules in a Smoke Control Area you may:

  • have to pay a penalty of up to £300 if visible smoke is seen being emitted from your chimney (section 19A of the Clean Air Act 1993)
  • be fined up to £1,000 by a magistrates' court if you acquire or sell controlled solid fuels (section 19B of the Clean Air Act 1993)

More information on smoke control areas and authorised fuels may be found at www.gov.uk/smoke-control-area-rules.

These penalties will apply in Sandwell from 1 July 2024.

The impact of wood and coal smoke on health and good practice advice

Most people enjoy keeping warm by a 'real' fire in winter, but did you know that burning wood and coal releases tiny toxic air pollution particles?  These tiny particles can enter our blood stream and cause lots of health issues such as coughs, dizziness, inflamed airways and shortness of breath. These particles can also increase our risk of pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer,  heart disease and strokes.  Children and young people are especially vulnerable to fine particulate matter as it can cause and make conditions such as asthma worse, as well as stunting lung growth and children's brain development.

Follow these good practice tips to try and minimise the impact of indoor fires on your health and those in your local community

  • If you have central heating use that instead and if possible turn off radiators in rooms that you're not using to save money..
  • Consider burning less. Think about why you are lighting your fire as well as how much fuel you use. Is it really necessary?
  • Buy ‘Ready to Burn’ fuel and look for the 'ready to burn' logo as a guarantee of good quality dry wood.
  • DO NOT burn treated waste wood (e.g. old furniture, pallets or fence panels) or household rubbish. Treated waste wood, furniture and household waste can emit harmful fumes and toxic pollutants, such are carbon monoxide, arsenic, hydrogen chloride and cyanide, into your home when burnt.
  • Regularly maintain and service your stove. This means it will work better and will generate more heat from what you burn. Always operate your stove in line with the manufacturer’s guidance and only burn permitted fuels.
  • Get your chimney swept regularly (up to twice a year). During use soot and tar build up in the chimney reducing the efficiency and increasing the risk of chimney fires. It is better to use a qualified chimney sweep who will be able to advise you on good burning practices for your open fire or stove.

Help with Heating Costs

If you are struggling to heat your home, there is support and help available:

  • Winter Fuel Payment:  - You can get a Winter Fuel Payment for Winter 2024 to 2025 if you were born before 23 September 1958 and you must have been getting a benefit during the qualifying week of 16 to 22 September 2024.  You must also live in England or Wales and get one of the following:
    • Pension Credit,
    • Universal Credit
    • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
    • income-based Job seeker’s Allowance (JSA)
    • Income Support
    • Child Tax Credit
    • Working Tax Credit
  • Warm Home Discount: This is a £150 discount on your energy bill if you are eligible. You may qualify if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or are on a low income and have high energy costs.
  • Cold Weather Payment: This is a one-off payment of £25 if the average temperature in your area is 0 degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days. If you are entitled to this payment you will receive it automatically, so you do not need to do anything.  You are likely to receive Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting:
    • Pension Credit
    • Income Support
    • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
    • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
    • Universal Credit
    • Support for Mortgage Interest
  • Energy Company Obligation (ECO): This is a scheme that requires energy companies to help their customers reduce their energy bills and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. ECO provides funding for a variety of energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, boiler upgrades, and solar panels. You may be eligible for ECO funding if you are a low-income household or if you have a disability.
  • Silver Linings - Information and advice for those aged 65+ who may be struggling to pay for their heating fuel.

Boaters (Moored Vessels)

  • Canal and River Trust: Cost of living support and advice for boaters, including links to debt advice and support for vulnerable boaters.