OT:New Build chimney question

[Keith D Pipex]

Hi, Apologies for posting a non DIY question but I thought that this group could help in this situation. We had some pretty heavy hail showers yesterday up here in Edinburgh and something quite 'interesting' happened with the chimney. Whilst the hail was falling a large number of small pieces of mortar or breeze block came bouncing down the chimney and into the living room. When I had a quick look at the bottom end of the chimney I also noticed some bird cr*p on the angled section above the fire. It is a living flame gas fire. Does this sound right for a new build chimney nowadays ? Apart from having to be extremely careful about cleaning the laminate floor now there is grit and water on it (from the hail I assume) surely something is missing that should stop this happening. The site manager is coming round tomorrow to discuss other issues that are still outstanding and I'd like to know a bit more about this before his visit.

Thanks for any advice you can give, Keith

[BigWallop]

I always thought a gas fire had to have a cap on the chimney. I might be wrong though.

[Keith D Pipex]

Hi again BW, We have been told by the site sales people that it is our responsibility to cap the 'class 1 flue' as they called it. I s'pose we can if we have to but seeing as other neighbours are having trouble too I can't quite believe that the builders didn't do it in the first place. It's just a good job we didn't have nice new cream coloured carpets and a stainless steel effect fire ... like the neighbours did.

We'll see what happens this morning when the site manager comes round :-)

Keith

[Lawrence]

Lawrence

usenet at lklyne dt co dt uk

[Keith D Pipex]

Hi, It was bought from the builders as one of those optional extra things ... so in my view Yes, although they undoubtedly used a sub contractor to install it. After having spoken to the site agent, who couldn't really believe the company policy, it seems to be the case that we have to cap it ourselves. Unless there are weather protective 'cowls'? it seems we'll also have to have a rug in front of the fire just to stop the laminate getting wet .. nice :-(

Keith

[Lawrence]

To me that sounds like not fit for purpose. Is it worth talking to local trading standards. Remembering that your contract is with the buildier not his sub contracter. If a previous quote is correct about it needing a cowl under corgi rules then the installation is just wrong.

I think you need to find out whether the cowl is a requirement or just good practice. Maybe someone can answer that point.

(I know very next nothing about GAS, I do not have that luxury in the sticks).

Lawrence

usenet at lklyne dt co dt uk