Fire valve requirement

[Bogart]

How long has it been mandatory to install a fire valve in the fuel line when installing a new boiler to comply with Part J?
Now could someone hazard a guess as to roughly how long to do the following.
1 Remove an old oil fired boiler.
2 Replace with a new oil fired boiler
3 Install a 3m remote fire valve
4. Tidy up afterwards.

I am asking this as have received a quote for the above work. Now 2 yrs ago I received a quote from the same firm for the exact same job, minus the fire valve, when I was told would be completed in a day. Now it is going to take 3 days!

 

[Riley]

Could I suggest you get two more quotes

 

[Scott_D]

1 day for 6 people and 3 days for 2 people?

 

[Stigster]

How long has it been mandatory to install a fire valve in the fuel line when installing a new boiler to comply with Part J?

I first did my OFTEC in 2007 and it was a requirement then and long before that too I imagine. The oldest boilers I worked on were more than 20 years old in 2007 and they always had a fire valve too, usually an old type with a low melting point metal holding them open designed to melt in fire and close the oil supply. (called a fusible head valve I think)

More modern designs are of the capillary type with remote probe.

It's an absolute must, not an optional extra and has been so for "ages".

 

[Bogart]

I find odd then that my quote of 2 years ago never mentioned it, maybe was included in the quote and not specifically mentioned.
Am in the process of getting other quotes.

 

[Millsy 82]

I suggest you get more people in for quotes as obviously you dont trust this person.

A couple of possibilities is

1) he may of been a bit inexperienced at quoting and didnt write everything down and cut his time down to win jobs.

2) hes realised you need to allow more time to do the jobs properly

3) maybe he thinks your a time waster as hes been out to price for you twice for the same job so just added an extra day on as twit tax.

 

[Bogart]

He works for a much bigger concern so does not really affect him if the get the job or not so points 1 and 2 possibly not valid. On point 3 they know why nothing has happened in 2 years and are okay with it
so do not thing they have loaded it intentionally.

 

[Best]

A job like that could take at least one day and perhaps 3 days depending on how difficult each task is.
I would think minimum 2 days not including a powerflush.

 

[Riley]

I think it’s just unrealistic expectation

 

[SimonG]

On my own two days.
Cleaner in for two weeks before change.

All depends on the job. Flueing, condensate etc.

 

[Bogart]

Have not got around to asking what they intend to do with the condensate. Will need a soakaway as not on mains drainage.

 

[Millsy 82]

He works for a much bigger concern so does not really affect him if the get the job or not so points 1 and 2 possibly not valid.

I'm not sure it wouldnt affect him as I dont think his boss will look at it and go ah well maybe next time.

I can just imagine the bosses at British gas saying to their sales men oh it doesn't matter if we get the installs or not and we wont sack you if you dont make so many sales.

 

[Stigster]

Have not got around to asking what they intend to do with the condensate. Will need a soakaway as not on mains drainage.

That's sorted easily enough with a ready made soakaway jobbie.

 

[Riley]

Lime clippings soakaway

 

[Best]

That's sorted easily enough with a ready made soakaway jobbie.

Can waste a few hours though with some. Took me about 4 hours to do all the digging etc on one job.

 

[Bogart]

As am installing twin insulated pipe between the house and the boiler house which necessitates digging a trench across a lawn. The guy with the digger can dig out a soakaway pit at the same time.

 

[DaveyHep]

Using a digger for a condensate soakaway might be a bit overkill. Have a look online at the ready made plastic containers. They’re not very big.

 

[Ricardo Napoli]

If it’s like for like then two people could get it done in a long day we have done it before in a long day but normally 2 days should be there but depends on new location pipe runs condense etc.. 3 days maximum. Fire valves have always been there they have to be fitted and have to be on the oil line outside the building before it comes in! Just redone my often this week. Like others have said there is oil boilers out there that have been installed 20+ years ago. Be crazy not to fit one because if there is a fire then the outcome won’t be good.

 

[Ricardo Napoli]

If it’s like for like then two people could get it done in a long day we have done it before in a long day but normally 2 days should be there but depends on new location pipe runs condense etc.. 3 days maximum. Fire valves have always been there they have to be fitted and have to be on the oil line outside the building before it comes in! Just redone my often this week. Like others have said there is oil boilers out there that have been installed 20+ years ago. Be crazy not to fit one because if there is a fire then the outcome won’t be good.

 

[Bogart]

Will def be fitting one.