Condensate pipe a few questions

[Rob Foster]

is a standard approved dia ? If so what ?

And can we buy fittings for it eg elbow
Tees and No 1 fittings thanks in advance Rob Foster aka centralheatking
A

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Overflow pipe or if external min 32mm

 

[Rob Foster]

Overflow pipe or if external min 32mm

Thank you Shaun its what I thought ...no this is internal stuff. Overflow is easy cheers

 

[Gasmk1]

3/4" overflow inside with glued joints

 

[Rob Foster]

Thanks now I have the specification that’s good

 

[Rob Foster]

Which regulations apply to condensate pipe, I understand that the condensate pipe comes under the emissions regs and requires a trap ...confused dot com

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Why do you ask ?

 

[Rob Foster]

Hi Shaun, looking at modifying a condensate drain pipe and I was told that the legislation about it comes under the emissions control, so don’t know where to look ..wras seems very quiet about it but maybe it’s under building control then

 

[ShaunCorbs]

What do you want to modify?

 

[Rob Foster]

I intend to mod the pipe to avoid it freezing when it gets cold outside and backing up stopping boiler working

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I intend to mod the pipe to avoid it freezing when it gets cold outside and backing up stopping boiler working

right ok what boiler do you have make and model

 

[Rob Foster]

Hi Shaun it’s a worcs 24 cdi condensor with a long outside pipe all legal etc but as it’s north facing has a tendency to freeze up in winters what are cold, and the east wind blows direct accross it. So any mods I was told come under regulations to do with emissions ..but cannot find out where to look ,,many thanks for taking an interest Rob Foster

 

[ShaunCorbs]

You will be fine as the boiler has internal trap

Run it to foul drainage if over 4m if you can use 32mm

 

[Rob Foster]

You will be fine as the boiler has internal trap

Run it to foul drainage if over 4m if you can use 32mm

Do all condensing boilers have an internal trap , or maybe I look up,the spec myself as I have used up your time loads already...thank you

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Do all condensing boilers have an internal trap , or maybe I look up,the spec myself as I have used up your time loads already...thank you

The newer ones in the last 10-15 years normally do

 

[Rob Foster]

Thanks Shaun I will report back when I have what I want to do organised ..the power of UKPF

 

[Harvest Fields]

Talking about modifying condense pipes on open forum?

 

[Rob Foster]

Oops you are right . Sorry I will pm in future

 

[Harvest Fields]

Oops you are right . Sorry I will pm in future

No worries. Just thought I would mention it before it went that bit to far.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Talking about modifying condense pipes on open forum?

It's on the plumbing side and trapped so anyone can do it

 

[Harvest Fields]

Surely a condense pipe is a condense pipe? What am I missing here?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Surely a condense pipe is a condense pipe? What am I missing here?

Yep but as it's trapped it's just waste water

 

[Harvest Fields]

Yep but as it's trapped it's just waste water

So basically your saying that because the boiler is trapped. Then anyone can do whatever they want to the condense pipe outside? Surely if it is connected to the boiler it is part of the install and they should be gas safe registered?

 

[Rob Foster]

This is what I was concerned about as long as things are beyond the trap it’s all ok , but we are not to discuss it in open forum happy days

 

[ShaunCorbs]

So basically your saying that because the boiler is trapped. Then anyone can do whatever they want to the condense pipe outside? Surely if it is connected to the boiler it is part of the install and they should be gas safe registered?

Don't need to be gas safe to do the heating side

 

[Harvest Fields]

Don't need to be gas safe to do the heating side

But the condense if linked to the flue. Where does t say this mate as I have never heard this ever before.

 

[Last Plumber]

So basically your saying that because the boiler is trapped. Then anyone can do whatever they want to the condense pipe outside? Surely if it is connected to the boiler it is part of the install and they should be gas safe registered?

I would tend to agree with that.

A blockage in the condensate trap could and most likely will eventually effect combustion.
A Boiler with a dry trap will allow products of combustion to stream from the condensate pipe.
The water from these is acidic and can easily eat its way through building materials.
There are other examples of why one would need to be Gas safe registered and competent in my opinion.

 

[Last Plumber]

I have seen an oversized Boiler run its trap dry recently and allow POC to flow from the condensate pipe right outside an incoming air vent in a Laundry.

 

[Last Plumber]

To my mind the condensate drain on a condensing Boiler is an integral part of the combustion side.

 

[Harvest Fields]

I would tend to agree with that.

A blockage in the condensate trap could and most likely will eventually effect combustion.
A Boiler with a dry trap will allow products of combustion to stream from the condensate pipe.
The water from these is acidic and can easily eat its way through building materials.
There are other examples of why one would need to be Gas safe registered and competent in my opinion.

This is my whole point. We spend hours upon hours on here telling people to get gas safe engineers in for condense work.

 

[Harvest Fields]

To my mind the condensate drain on a condensing Boiler is an integral part of the combustion side.

If it is in the manufacturers instructions it is part of the boiler.

 

[Last Plumber]

This is my whole point. We spend hours upon hours on here telling people to get gas safe engineers in for condense work.

Yes and rightly so in my view Harvest.

 

[Last Plumber]

If it is in the manufacturers instructions it is part of the boiler.

It is an integral section like I say. All part n parcel of the installation of the Gas appliance.