Balanced flue systems
Balanced flue systems are room-sealed appliances, meaning that instead of using the air of the heating room as combustion air, outside air is supplied to the appliance. Balanced flue systems convey combustion air from the inlet above roof level to several heating appliances which are operated independently of one another. The flue gases are discharged via a separate duct above roof level. The flue liner and air supply duct can be arranged concentrically (duct within a duct with annular gap) or side by side.
Soot-fire-resistant balanced flue systems are also known as room-sealed chimneys and are designed for connection of heating appliances for solid fuels.
In accordance with the legal provisions of the federal states following Section 7(10) of the Model Firing System Ordinance (MFeuV), room-sealed heating appliances may only be connected to the balanced flue system if the construction technique ensures that they are suitable for this mode of operation.
These firing systems meet stricter tightness requirements and may therefore also be operated in highly insulated buildings, including in combined operation with ventilation systems.
Regulatory framework
In this work area, DIBt grants:
- national technical approvals (abZ) for balanced flue systems and/or parts of balanced flue systems that are not covered by a European Technical Assessment or the applicable harmonised standards for chimneys (system chimneys) or for parts of chimneys (custom-built chimneys);
- general construction technique permits (aBG) for the execution of balanced flue systems not covered by the execution standard DIN 18160-1.
National technical approvals and general construction technique permits can be granted together in a single decision ('combined decision').
European Technical Assessments (ETAs) can also be issued for balanced flue systems or parts of balanced flue systems that are not (fully) covered by a harmonised standard. For construction products covered by an ETA, a general construction technique permit for the application may be pertinent.
For dimensionally stable insulation products used in the execution of custom-built chimneys, voluntary verification (e.g. DIBt evaluations) is currently recommended if the application temperature limit for the insulation product lies above the flue gas temperature of the flue liners.
The technical rules to be observed in the execution of chimneys include:
- DIN EN 13384-1 – Chimneys – Thermal and fluid dynamic calculation methods – Part 1: Chimneys serving one heating combustion
- DIN EN 13384-2 – Chimneys – Thermal and fluid dynamic calculation methods – Part 2: Chimneys serving more than one heating appliance
- DIN V 18160-1 – Chimneys – Part 1: Design and performance
Please also note the relevant provisions of the federal states following MVV TB, Annex 8, Section 8.3 (2017/1) or Annex 14 (2019/1 and following).
Technical rules
Stand: September 2007, geändert durch Beschluss der Fachkommission Bauaufsicht vom 28.01.2016 und 27.09.2017; Fachkommission Bauaufsicht der Bauministerkonferenz
Principles, guidance, recommendations
Version: January 2020; Word
Material data sheet (2 pages)Version: January 2020; PDF
Guideline: How to provide drawings for national technical approvals and general construction technique permits (5 pages)Version: July 2017
Application forms
National procedure
A national technical approval (abZ) and/or oder general construction technique permit (aBG) is granted upon application (see Model Building Code (MBO), Sections 16a(2) and18(2) and (4)). This also applies to amendments and supplements to, or renewals of existing approvals and/or construction technique permits.
No formal requirements apply. The following information is needed: name and address of the applicant, description of the product and/or construction technique and its field of use or application, type of decision required (new decision, amendment or supplement to, or renewal of, an existing decision).
Please feel free to use the template below.
Application for a national technical approval and/or construction technique permit (3 pages)Version: January 2018; Application form
Application for amendment / supplementation / renewal of a national technical approval and/or construction technique permit (4 pages)Version: January 2018; Application form
Guideline: How to provide drawings for national technical approvals and general construction technique permits (5 pages)Version: July 2017
European Technical Assessment (ETA)
To start the ETA procedure, please submit the form below. We will then check if the prerequisites for issuing an ETA are met, i.e., in particular, if the product is not fully covered by an existing harmonised standard. If the prerequisites are met, we will check whether a European Assessment Document (EAD) covering the requested assessment scope already exists or still needs to be developed. If an EAD needs to be developed or amended, a complete technical file needs to be established before the procedure can begin.
Form for requesting a European Technical Assessment (ETA) (2 pages)Last updated: 16 June 2022
Voluntary evaluations of fitness for use
Where the relevant harmonised standard is incomplete, economic actors can provide product performance information on a voluntary basis. DIBt offers independent validation and confirmation of such additional performance information in the form of a voluntary evaluation of fitness for use.
Order for an evaluation (4 pages)of fitness for use of construction products
- abZ/aBG
Z = new decision | E = supplement | Ä = amendment | V = renewal | G = valid until Subject concerned Applicant Decision no. Validity
from / toLuft-Abgas-System "BOSCH" T120 P1 W 2 O00 LA90 Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH
Junkersstraße 20-24
73249 Wernau
Z-7.5-3059 Z: 06.05.2022
G: 01.04.2023Bauarten von Luft-Abgas-Systemen Centrotherm Systemtechnik GmbH
Am Patbergschen Dorn 9
59929 Brilon
Z-7.5-3122 Z: 20.01.2021
G: 20.01.2026Bauarten von Luft-Abgas-Systemen Skoberne GmbH
Ostendstraße 1
64319 Pfungstadt
Z-7.5-3256 Z: 07.10.2019
G: 07.10.2024Bauarten zur Montage von Luft-Abgas-Systemen M&G Group B.V.
Dr. A.F. Philipsweg 41
9400 AB ASSEN
NIEDERLANDE
Z-7.5-3321 Z: 29.04.2022
G: 29.04.2027Bauarten von Luft-Abgas-Systemen ATEC GmbH & Co. KG
Abgastechnologie
Liliencronstr. 55
21629 Neu Wulmstorf
Z-7.5-3356 Z: 04.03.2019
G: 04.03.2024Luft Abgas-System "eka complex P" eka-edelstahlkamine gmbh
Robert-Bosch-Straße 4
95369 Untersteinach
Z-7.5-3473 Z: 21.04.2020
G: 21.04.2025Luft-Abgas-System "almeva LBS PPeasy" T120 H1 W 2 O00 LA90 Almeva AG
Industriestraße 6
9220 BISCHOFSZELL
SCHWEIZ
Z-7.5-3497 Z: 05.02.2021
G: 05.05.2026Bauarten von Luft-Abgas-Systemen mit Innenrohren oder Systemabgasanlagen aus Kunststoff Jeremias Abgastechnik GmbH
Opfenrieder Straße 12
91717 Wassertrüdingen
Z-7.5-3548 Z: 18.05.2022
G: 18.05.2027