Fitting a Gas Fire on an external wall.

[Secoast]

Hi all.

My mother has a large lounge with central heating. Because the layout forces a sofa to block a rad she also uses a portable gas heater in the winter months. She now wants to replace this with a fitted unit.
The lounge has a faux surround on an external wall with no obstructions outside. It currently has an electric fire fitted, but there is a gas supply (currently capped) behind the surround pillar.

In the past she has suffered from the consequences of higher than normal humidity in this room, no doubt not helped by the portable gas unit. For this reason some sort of vented unit would be preferred.
Ideally, a rear vent which draws in air from within the lounge (requiring a secondary vent installed) would hopefully provide some circulation of air along with the heat. I don’t even know if such systems exist?.

Alternatively, a balanced flue system would be the other option.
In either case I appreciate a new compliant surround will be required. The current one is just MDF and formica.
I would like to purchase a unit for her, including surround, and have a gas fitter carry out the installation. As well as the double vented system mentioned above Some other specific questions I would like to ask include.

1. Would a gas fitter be expected to create any vent holes, or would a builder also be involved.
   
   
2. Would I be expected to let the fitter also fit the surround? A job I suspect I could do myself.
   
   
3. Any recommendations for online retailers that would supply the appropriate gas fire and surround to guarantee there were no incompatibility issues when fitting.

Any additional advice would be greatly appreciated.

Mark

 

[gingalig]

Look at Stovax , they do a good range of balanced flue fires/burners, not the cheapest but the flame picture is very good and the ventilation requirements are all through the flue. Any fitting advice and regulations would be better off from a GSR engineer, most engineers should be able to core drill a hole for the flue but each installation is specific in regards to hearth etc.

 

[Secoast]

Look at Stovax , they do a good range of balanced flue fires/burners, not the cheapest but the flame picture is very good and the ventilation requirements are all through the flue. Any fitting advice and regulations would be better off from a GSR engineer, most engineers should be able to core drill a hole for the flue but each installation is specific in regards to hearth etc.

Thanks. for the response. I'll take a look at Stovax range.

Mark