Firebird Heatpac S20 boiler - how to change water pressure?

[Gingee]

Hi,

I really hope someone can give me some advice! I recently moved into a rented property and landlord won’t pay to get my boiler checked as they say it’s something I can do myself. I’ve read the manual but it doesn’t answer my questions (https://www.firebird.ie/images/stories/standard efficiency range manual.pdf)

So here goes...

It’s an ancient Firebird heatpac S70 oil fuelled boiler.

1. radiators need bleeding - how do I correct the water pressure? Manual says pressure needs to be at 3bar. But there doesn’t seem to be a pressure gauge and I can’t see the usual top up loop to add more water to the radiators.

2. The boiler needs to be reset at least twice a day as it keeps cutting out, when all the dials and thermostat say it should still be on. It needs resetting for a third time today but I’m sure it’s not good for it, so I’ve currently left it off for now and informed landlord again. Should I get a plumber to look at it? or do I just keep resetting it?

I’ve called the Firebird help line twice but they’re not getting back to me probably because it’s a stupid question - normally I’d call a plumber but the landlord told me to call the helpline and deal with it myself. Getting quite cold!!

Advice and second opinions hugely appreciated!

Kate

 

[SimonG]

When you say you are resetting it are you resetting the burner or the high limit stat?

 

[SJB060685]

A burner lockout is not rated to system pressure. Low system pressure will cut power to the burner and it won't even try to ignite to eventually go to lockout.
The filling loop could be at the boiler, or in the cylinder cupboard.
If you gave a burner lockout then you need an engineer and yes you are correct, don't keep pressing burner reset.

 

[Gingee]

When you say you are resetting it are you resetting the burner or the high limit stat?

I’m pressing a big red button that has a red light on it. Boiler man told me to press it if it needs resetting, but not to press it three times in a row. Hence not pressing it for a third time today.

 

[Gingee]

I’m pressing a big red button that has a red light on it. Boiler man told me to press it if it needs resetting, but not to press it three times in a row. Hence not pressing it for a third time today.

A big red button on the boiler.

 

[SJB060685]

Thats the burner reset button. You have a burner fault, as I said above

 

[Gingee]

A burner lockout is not rated to system pressure. Low system pressure will cut power to the burner and it won't even try to ignite to eventually go to lockout.
The filling loop could be at the boiler, or in the cylinder cupboard.
If you gave a burner lockout then you need an engineer and yes you are correct, don't keep pressing burner reset.

Thank you so much for explaining - I know I need a engineer, guess I just wanted reassurance that’s the right thing to do as landlord told me to sort it myself! I will get on the phone now I think I’ve fold what looks like a filling loop but it doesn’t have any valves anywhere near it. But doesn’t matter now anyway as will ask the engineer. Thank you again.

 

[SJB060685]

If you have header tanks in the loft its an open vented system, if not there will be a filling loop somewhere.
As you say the attending engineer can clarify for you.
At the moment you have a burner fault as well and your landlord has a duty of care and must get it sorted for you, especially in this cold weather.
I would bring on immersion heater so you at least have hot water.
Anyone touching a fuel burning appliance should be competent, so hopefully the engineer can help, if not we're here to help to a certain degree. Obviously we won't advise you to undertake anything yourself.

 

[SimonG]

Needs a visit, get your landlord on it.

The instruction not to reset it three times is more of a 3 times on the trot within a few minutes.

So ideally not good to keep resetting, if it's the difference between a bit of warmth and freezing then I would reset it.

What's in the tenancy agreement as far as servicing and repairs go. A lot are tenant to get annual service and landlord to repair.

Also do you have a carbon monoxide detector? Is the boiler internal?

 

[Gingee]

If you have header tanks in the loft its an open vented system, if not there will be a filling loop somewhere.
As you say the attending engineer can clarify for you.
At the moment you have a burner fault as well and your landlord has a duty of care and must get it sorted for you, especially in this cold weather.
I would bring on immersion heater so you at least have hot water.
Anyone touching a fuel burning appliance should be competent, so hopefully the engineer can help, if not we're here to help to a certain degree. Obviously we won't advise you to undertake anything yourself.

Thanks again, yes, i think I must have an open system but will get confirmation. I don’t think my landlord realises their responsibilities - I was going to highlight that it’s their duty to sort out the boiler but no matter how I say it it sounds quite arsey!