Boiler Room

Poland is located in a geographical zone where temporary heating is necessary. When choosing a boiler, investors consider not only individual preferences but also the efficiency of the solution and economic factors. This is especially important given that the cost of heating a property consumes most of the annual budget allocated for building operation and maintenance.

The choice of heating system in new homes is also influenced by the growing environmental awareness and legal regulations regarding environmental protection. It's also worth noting that the type of boiler chosen directly affects the type of boiler room that needs to be created. After all, the requirements for such a room vary depending on the selected heating method.

Investors engaging in comprehensive cooperation with New-House can count on full support in purchasing a building project that includes the chosen heating source, as well as adapting a specific house design to allow for the installation of the desired boiler.

Boiler Room in a House – Legal Considerations

The Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure dated April 12, 2002, and Polish Standards (including PN-B-02431-1) clearly specify the requirements that a domestic boiler room must meet. These requirements depend on the type of boiler to be installed in the building. These regulations are directly dictated by the safety of property occupants. It's also important to know that based on the interpretation of these guidelines, the State Fire Service issues its own provisions and permits. They cannot be disregarded.

Appropriate Location for the Boiler Room

Boiler rooms in single-family homes are most commonly located in the basement or on the ground floor of the property. However, there are cases where the location of this room is dictated by legal regulations for safety reasons. If the house is built based on a ready-made design, it's often necessary to make changes to accommodate a specific type of fuel if it differs from what the designer originally planned. If the property is being built based on a custom design, the boiler room suited for the chosen heating method is included from the start.

In general, the size and location of the boiler room depend on the heat output of the chosen boiler. Boilers with low output up to 30 kW (gas and oil heating) can operate in rooms like the kitchen or bathroom. Boilers with an output of 30 to 60 kW should be installed in boiler rooms or other technical rooms that are essentially separate buildings located on the property.

Boiler Room for Gas Boiler

Gas boilers are a clean, aesthetic, convenient, and user-friendly heating solution for smaller homes. Gas boilers are available in single-function (space heating) or dual-function (space heating and water heating) versions. A room for a gas boiler equipped with a closed combustion chamber must have an area of at least 6.5 square meters. If the device draws combustion air from the room, the required area increases to 8 square meters. The minimum height for a boiler room for a gas boiler in newly constructed properties is 220 cm, and for homes undergoing renovations, it's 190 cm.

Boiler Room for Liquid Gas Boiler

LPG heating is a convenient and environmentally friendly solution often chosen by investors who don't have access to natural gas from the network because connecting it to their property is impossible. A boiler room for a liquid gas boiler should not be located below ground level.

In such a boiler room, the following must be present:

gravity ventilation channel,
direct fresh air inlet from the outside,
chimney flue appropriate for the type of boiler.

Additionally, sewage wells and drains should not be present in such a boiler room.

Boiler Room for Oil Boiler

An oil boiler with an output exceeding 30 kW requires installation in a dedicated boiler room, which can be located in the basement or on the ground floor of the property. The height of this room must be a minimum of 220 cm, and the minimum area of the boiler room is 8 square meters. Additionally, if this type of boiler room is located above another habitable floor, the room's floor and walls up to a height of 10 cm, and entrance thresholds up to 4 cm, must be waterproof. Similarly, passages for all pipes in the floor and walls (up to a height of 10 cm) should be waterproof. It's also important to note that the walls and ceilings of a boiler room containing an oil boiler must have a fire resistance class of El60 and the door should be El30. The oil boiler room must also have a supply and exhaust air system.

This type of heating also requires space for storing fuel oil tanks. Regulations require that a storage area for fuel oil with a flash point above 55°C must be located in the basement or on the lowest above-ground level, and its internal walls and ceilings must have a fire resistance class of EI120, and the door – EI60. The oil storage area must also have supply and exhaust ventilation that provides two to four air changes per hour. This frequency of air exchange will effectively remove the oil odor from the room.

Boiler Room for Solid Fuel Boilers

Solid fuel boilers come in various types, differing in both efficiency and environmental impact. Coal heating, eco-coal boilers, and pellet boilers require a separate boiler room that is not a residential space. A boiler with an output of up to 10 kW can be installed in a boiler room with an area of no less than 30 square meters and at least 4 cubic meters per 1 kW of the boiler's nominal heat output. The required height of the room is 220 cm. However, it's advisable to allocate more space for the boiler room, especially if you want to store fuel reserves, which is a practical solution. Adequate ventilation and easy access to the exit for ash disposal are also important.

Modernly, some investors also opt for wood heating, using a water jacket fireplace [link to a new article about water jacket fireplaces]. This solution doesn't require a boiler room, as the fireplace room (usually the living room) becomes the "boiler room" during the heating season.

Summary

Choosing a heating method is one of the more significant decisions that an investor considering building a house or renovating one must make. It directly affects the costs you'll incur for years to come. Therefore, it's worth carefully considering all pros and cons of each solution, including the type of boiler room you'll need to create. The experts at New-House actively support our clients in both design work related to heating systems and the physical installation of the system. It's worth relying on a trusted partner who guarantees the highest quality. We invite you to learn more!