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 - Heating boilers for solid fuels, manually and automatically stoked, nominal heat output of up to 500kW. Terminology, requirements, testing and marking
BS EN 12809	Residential independent boilers fired by solid fuel. Nominal heat output up to 50kW. Requirements and test methods
BS EN 13240	Roomheaters fired by solid fuel. Requirements and test methods
BS EN 14785	Residential space heating appliances fired by wood pellets. Requirements and test methods
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 CC 001	Biomass Compliance Certificate Template

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 who are:

competent and familiar with the system being installed, and
MCS Certified, 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 2025