In England and Wales, the design, installation, and operation of commercial boiler controls are governed by a combination of legislation, British Standards, and industry best practice guides. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key regulations, standards, and professional guidance documents applicable to commercial boiler systems:
1. Building Regulations (England)
Approved Document L: Conservation of Fuel and Power
· Applies to: All commercial (non-domestic) heating systems.
· Requirements:
o Adequate control of temperature and time zones.
o Weather compensation and/or load compensation where appropriate.
o Zoning for different building areas or usage patterns.
o Separate control of space heating and hot water.
o Boiler interlock (ensuring boilers only run when needed).
2. British Standards
These standards set out detailed requirements for boiler controls, safety, efficiency, and installations:
· BS 6644: Installation of gas-fired hot water boilers (60 kW – 2 MW)
o Covers ventilation, flues, gas supply, and boiler controls.
o Key control requirements include:
. Safety shut-off valves
. Overheat and flame failure protection
. Time and temperature control
. Interlocks and limit thermostat.
· BS EN 12828: Heating systems in buildings — Design for water-based heating systems
o Includes guidance on hydraulic control, zoning, and sensor placement.
o BS EN 12098 Series: Control equipment for heating systems
o EN 12098-1: Controllers with integrated outside temperature sensors
o EN 12098-3: Control units for modulating heating
o Essential for advanced controls like weather compensation.
BS 7074-1: Application, selection, and installation of pressurisation units in sealed heating systems
o Covers interaction of pressurisation with boiler controls and safety devices.
BS 6798: Specification for installation and maintenance of gas-fired boilers
3. Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
· Legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Applies to all gas appliances in commercial premises.
· Requires:
o Safe installation and maintenance by Gas Safe registered engineers.
o Functional safety controls (e.g., flame failure devices, thermostats, interlocks).
4. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Guidance
· INDG436: Safe management of industrial steam and hot water boilers
o Emphasises boiler controls for:
. Pressure regulation
. Low-water cut-off
. High-temperature alarms
. Manual and automatic reset
PM5: Automatically controlled steam and hot water boilers
o Safety systems, control interlocks, and routine testing.
5. CIBSE Guides (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers)
CIBSE Guide B1: Heating
o Control strategies, boiler sequencing, modulation, zoning, etc.
CIBSE Commissioning Codes (Code B): Boilers
o Emphasises commissioning of control systems to ensure they function as designed.
6. IGEM Standards (Gas Engineers)
· IGEM/UP/10: Installation of flued gas appliances in industrial and commercial premises.
o Ventilation, control interlocks, and shut-off systems.
IGEM/UP/2: Gas installation pipework, boosters and compressors.
o Gas supply controls, pressure safety, etc.
7. BSRIA (Building Services Research and Information Association)
BG 50/2013: Commissioning of pipework systems
BG 29: Pre-commissioning cleaning of pipework systems
BG 58/2015: Boiler Plant and Heating Systems – Inspection and Maintenance Guide
o Focus on controls testing, maintenance cycles, and system diagnostics.
8. Energy Performance and Monitoring
Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012
o Larger boiler systems (>290 kW) require regular inspection and efficiency review.
TM39 (CIBSE): Building Energy Metering
o Essential for controls integration into BMS (Building Management Systems) and ensuring performance monitoring.
Summary Table
Regulation / Standard Scope Key Control Aspects
Approved Document L Energy efficiency Time/temp control, zoning, interlocks
BS 6644:2011 Gas boilers (60 kW to 2 MW) Safety, interlocks, thermostats
BS EN 12098 Controls Weather/load compensation, modulation
Gas Safety Regs Legal gas safety Shut-offs, maintenance, registration
CIBSE Guide B1 Heating systems Sequencing, BMS integration
HSE PM5 / INDG436 Boiler safety