8.3.4 Biomass

Also see:

8.3.4.1 Compliance

Biomass systems shall comply with the Technical Requirements. Issues to be taken into account include:

relevant standards
product certification
operative competency.

8.3.4.1.1 Relevant standards#

Biomass systems should comply with relevant standards including where applicable:

BS EN 303-5	‘Heating boilers for solid fuels, hand and automatically fired, nominal heat output of up to 300kW. Terminology, requirements, testing and marking’
BS EN 12809	Residential independent boilers fired by solid fuel
BS EN 13240	Room heaters fired by solid fuel, requirements, and test methods
BS EN 14785	‘Residential space heating appliances fired by wood pellets
BS EN 14961-2	Condensing heating boilers installed and operated according to the product instructions up to nominal input 45kW
MCS 008	Product certification scheme requirements Biomass
MGD 006	Percussive events guidance
MIS 3004	Requirements for MCS contractors undertaking the supply, design, installation commissioning and handover of solid biofuel heating systems
MCS CC001	Biomass compliance certificate

8.3.4.1.2 Product certification#

Biomass technologies should have current certification confirming satisfactory assessment by an appropriate independent authority acceptable to NHBC.

Systems, products and installations that are assessed through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) will generally be acceptable to NHBC. Certification and test documentation should be made available to NHBC upon request.

Other certification bodies or test documentation may be acceptable where they are considered by NHBC to be a suitable alternative.

8.3.4.1.3 Operative competency#

Biomass systems should be installed by operatives:

competent and familiar with the system being installed, and
MCS registered or
certified to a standard acceptable to NHBC.

Where installers are not MCS accredited they should still hold the relevant qualifications:

HETAS qualified
electrically qualified.

Last updated: 2nd January 2024