Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, No. 158 (N.I. 4) (as amended)

The Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 is a legislative framework designed to control and reduce air pollution in Northern Ireland. This legislation is critical for protecting the environment and public health by regulating the emission of pollutants into the air.

Purpose:

‍The primary purpose of the Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 is to improve air quality by controlling emissions of smoke, grit, dust, and fumes. It aims to establish a legal basis for declaring smoke control areas, enforcing the use of smokeless fuels, and regulating industrial emissions to reduce air pollution.

Requirements:

1. Smoke Control Areas: Local authorities have the power to designate specific areas as smoke control areas. Within these areas, emissions of smoke from domestic and industrial premises are restricted.
2. Fuel Regulations: The Order mandates the use of smokeless fuels in smoke control areas to minimize air pollution from domestic heating. It specifies the types of fuels that can be burned and the appliances that can be used.
3. Emission Standards for Industrial Premises: Industrial plants are required to use specific technologies and practices to limit emissions of dust, grit, and fumes. This includes obtaining authorization from local authorities for new installations or modifications that could affect emissions.
4. Grants for Conversion: The Order provides for grants to be made available to homeowners and businesses to convert heating systems to comply with smoke control regulations.

Who They Apply To:

• Local Authorities: Responsible for enforcement, including designating smoke control areas, granting approvals for fuel use, and ensuring compliance with the Order.
• Homeowners and Residents: Must comply with restrictions on fuel burning in smoke control areas and may apply for conversion grants.
• Businesses and Industrial Operators: Required to adhere to emission standards, obtain necessary permits for operations affecting air quality, and possibly modify equipment or processes to reduce emissions.

The Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 thus plays a crucial role in managing air quality and reducing pollution from various sources across Northern Ireland, impacting a wide range of stakeholders from individual residents to large industrial entities.

The Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 sets forth specific evidence requirements designed to ensure compliance with regulations aimed at reducing air pollution. Here’s a brief overview of these requirements:

1. Compliance Documentation:
   • Businesses and industrial operators must maintain records demonstrating compliance with emission standards. This includes documentation of the installation and maintenance of pollution control equipment.
2. Permit and Authorization Records:
   • Entities subject to the Order must obtain permits or authorizations for the operation of furnaces and other combustion devices. Evidence of these permissions, including application submissions and approvals, must be kept accessible for inspection by regulatory authorities.
3. Monitoring and Reporting:
   • Continuous monitoring data on emissions of smoke, dust, and other pollutants must be collected and reported to the relevant local authorities. This ensures ongoing compliance with the set emission limits and helps in assessing the effectiveness of current pollution control measures.
4. Fuel Usage Records:
   • In smoke control areas, homeowners and businesses are required to keep records of the types of fuels used, ensuring they comply with the restrictions on prohibited fuels. This may include receipts or delivery notes as proof of purchasing approved smokeless fuels.
5. Inspection and Maintenance Logs:
   • Regular inspections and maintenance of equipment such as boilers, furnaces, and other combustion-related installations must be documented. These logs help demonstrate that systems are operating efficiently and within the legal requirements for minimizing emissions.

These evidence requirements are crucial for both demonstrating compliance with the Order and for enabling local authorities to enforce the regulations effectively. They help in safeguarding air quality and public health by ensuring that all regulated parties adhere to the standards set forth in the Clean Air (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.