Hi I have a gas boiler that has been installed in a ventilated wooden cupboard over the end of my bath. When I bought the house the surveyor said this was contravening current regs. I have now been trying to get this boiler serviced and everyone has told me they can't service it and it will have to be condemned. Is there anyway round this? Thanks
If it is that bad it means it is unsafe to use. That means it could cause a house fire or kill you and your family with carbon monoxide poisoning. Doing anything but replacing it is plain stupid.
Peter Crosland
Probably not, but it would help if you said what model it is and what specifically is condemned about it (I can imagine a number of possible reasons).
Either it can't be "that bad", or else no CORGI has seen it.
Why is it to be condemmned? Why do you have to have it serviced? What actually is the problem?
Gas folk arent above a bit of bent trade, I've seen them write complete baloney on their forms before, so dont assume whats said is necessarily true.
NT
If it's open flued then it's got to go. As it needs electricity it will possibly be wrong by the electric regs.
Nobody has seen it yet. I've just described it to boiler servicers over the phone. The model is a Potterton Prima B and it has got a closed flue. I don't think its unsafe. It has a closed flue system so is no more likely to kill of CO than any other boiler. What is a risk is you could potentially stand in the bath and play with live electrics but I really don't intend to do that! I know its not an ideal position but it is contained (cupboard) so I think it would be safer if it was serviced. I'm sure its been there for a while (Potterton Prima B).
Oh Why do I want it serviced? Its not been serviced for a year since I've had it and I've no idea of its previous service history. Also, it does make a bit of banging noise which I thought may be due to scale on the heat exchanger.
I don't think that routine servicing would have much effect on that!
Yep.
If it is in a cupboard with a door, then the electrics are fine. A room sealed boiler in a cupboard in a bathroom with all the electrics inside is well within regs. If a surveyor said it was illegal then don't take this too seriously. Only go on proper professional advice.
On Thu, 6 Oct 2005 22:35:44 +0100, "Doctor Drivel" scrawled:
Don't be a pillock all your life. That isn't what the regs say at all.
Absolutely, so don't listen to this tool.
What do they say? A "locked" cupboard is OK
..here is a man who doesn't know, a man who has no clue ..he no clue about the things which are known to me and you
..totally vacant in his head ..no knoweldge, reason, logic, this must be said
..drivel and babble just comes so ..relentless, incoherrent in it flow
..no knowledge of boilers, gas or the regs ..misinformation he gives, the man is the dregs
..take no notice of this babbling fool ..thank the Lord you are sane and he is the tool
On Fri, 7 Oct 2005 09:21:37 +0100, "Doctor Drivel" scrawled:
That's better. Think about things before pressing send.
On Fri, 7 Oct 2005 10:36:18 +0100, "Doctor Drivel" scrawled:
And it's taken you over an hour to write that. Haven't you got any work on?
not a reason to need a service. A service is not a safety check, I'm assuming you know theyre different things.
ditto. Kettling is to be expected in an old boiler, your system probably has no pump overrun. When the gas cuts out, the pump stops. Heat stored in the metal exchanger then boils the water, its called kettling. Newer systems will have pump overrun.
a service wont fix that.
NT
Nope. As I am brilliant at all things in life it took a minute or two.
Inundated.
Okay now we know more about it....
It'll need to be in locked cupboard (electrics) and that means that in the absence of manufacturers instructions to the contrary you will need:
75mm clearance from the boiler to combustible materials (that the cupboard is likely made from). Also 9cm^2 of ventilation per kW of gas input rating at high AND low level. Half these if the vents are to outside - but then they'll probably be too close to the flue!
Might be better to spend a bit more time so it scans...
On second thoughts - don't bother. Wilde, you're not.
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.