
1 
These Regulations may be cited as the Heating Appliances (Fireguards) (Safety) Regulations 1991 and shall come into force on 31st December 1991.
2 
The Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Regulations 1973 and the Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1975 are hereby revoked.
3 
In these Regulations:–
(a) “BS 1945” means the British Standard Specification for Fireguards for Heating Appliances (Gas, Electric and Oil-Burning) BS 1945: 1971 published on 30th July 1971 as amended by Amendment No 1. published on 12th April 1972 subject to any further amendments made thereto and approved by the Secretary of State;
(b) “flue box” means an enclosure constructed to perform the function of a fireplace recess;
(c) “gas fire” includes:–
(i) a gas burning heating appliance in which the source of the gas is in liquid form or the gas is contained in a portable container; and
(ii) a gas burning appliance intended to simulate a solid fuel fire;
(d) “heating appliance” means a gas fire or oil heater;
(e) “residential premises” includes premises intended for temporary accommodation except tents but does not include any part of residential premises which consists of out-buildings such as garages or greenhouses.
4 
No person shall supply, offer to supply, agree to supply, expose for supply or possess for supply any heating appliance in respect of which any of the requirements of these Regulations is not satisfied.
5 
Subject to regulation 6 below, a heating appliance shall be fitted with a guard such that the appliance is capable of satisfying the following tests and requirements specified in BS 1945:–
(a) Clause 1.3 (which contains design and performance requirements which apply to all types of heating appliances); and in the case of gas fires:
(b) Clause 2; and in the case of oil heaters:
(c) Clause 4.
6 
These Regulations shall not apply:–
(1) to any heating appliance fitted with a guard such that the appliance complies with any standard or specification recognised for use in a member State of the European Economic Community where such compliance provides a level of safety equivalent to that which would be provided if the appliance satisfied the tests and requirements specified by those Clauses of BS 1945 which are relevant, pursuant to regulation 5, to the type of appliance in question;
(2) to any heating appliance which is not ordinarily intended for use in residential premises;
(3) to a heating appliance which is so constructed that when the appliance is burning gas or oil, any flame is enclosed within the appliance so that:–
(a) there is no likelihood of personal injury from burning, and
(b) there is no likelihood of ignition of any fabric, by reason of, in either case, contact with or closeness to any flame or any part of the appliance which becomes incandescent; or
(4) to any gas fire which is:–
(a) designed for installation in a fireplace recess or a flue box; and
(b) supplied with clear instructions in English for installation in terms such that when those instructions are followed the installed fire will meet the conditions set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.
Edward Leigh
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, 28th November 1991
Department of Trade and Industry

SCHEDULE
Regulation 6(4)
1 
No naked flame or incandescent part of the firebed projects more than 50 millimetres from the vertical plane of the fireplace opening.
2 
The forward projection of any naked flame or incandescent part of the firebed is enclosed on all sides except the front.
3 
There is a hearth which projects at least 300 millimetres in front of any naked flame (such as the pilot or burner) and any incandescent part of the firebed.
4 
The hearth and any surround that is fitted projects at least 150 millimetres beyond each side of the naked flame or incandescent part of the firebed at its widest point.
5 
The periphery of the hearth is at least 50 millimetres above the floor level.