Flue for old atmospheric boiler

[Riley]

Ha ha this one again. Not Compliant is the old NCS and should be treated identically

 

[Riley]

It is not AR due to the bad material - IF it is pulling etc. Just because it looks crap does not nean it is AR. Being a very hot surface does not make it AR.

However, the hole, presumably for an FGA, probably does elevate it to AR.

WTF would someone do that?

Agreed once again showing that it’s been in for xx number of years and No ones said a word or it’s never been serviced

 

[Steve jones]

I had the boiler fitted 40+ years ago and it has only ever needed 2 thermocouples hence my reluctance to change it.
I remember a guy sticking a screwdriver in the side of the flue to make a hole for his analyser. His argument being that the draw from the chimney wouldn't let any gas escape.
So if I fill the hole in is it OK?
I was thinking of getting a 1 metre length section of twin wall to fit to the top of the boiler, then connect a 45 degree bend and then a connector to connect to the flexi flue liner ie so most of the flue in the garage is twin wall. Hopefully this will keep any further meter installers happy?
On another subject the 88 year old lady next door had a new boiler fitted by the gas board 5 years ago and also pays for an annual service/callout plan. Last year when it was serviced they frightened her by saying that it was getting a bit old, parts maybe hard to find and she could be left without heating. They said the same about the gas fire in the front room. They made her pay best part of £10,000 for another new boiler and a fire. Then in winter during a cold spell the boiler broke so she rang the gas board and they said they were too busy to take any more calls. I had a look and the condensate pipe was frozen.
This is the reason I try and keep my old reliable boiler going for as long as possible.

 

[Aire]

I remember a guy sticking a screwdriver in the side of the flue to make a hole for his analyser. His argument being that the draw from the chimney wouldn't let any gas escape.

😱😱😱😕😕😕😀😀😀

 

[Riley]

I had the boiler fitted 40+ years ago and it has only ever needed 2 thermocouples hence my reluctance to change it.
I remember a guy sticking a screwdriver in the side of the flue to make a hole for his analyser. His argument being that the draw from the chimney wouldn't let any gas escape.
So if I fill the hole in is it OK?
I was thinking of getting a 1 metre length section of twin wall to fit to the top of the boiler, then connect a 45 degree bend and then a connector to connect to the flexi flue liner ie so most of the flue in the garage is twin wall. Hopefully this will keep any further meter installers happy?
On another subject the 88 year old lady next door had a new boiler fitted by the gas board 5 years ago and also pays for an annual service/callout plan. Last year when it was serviced they frightened her by saying that it was getting a bit old, parts maybe hard to find and she could be left without heating. They said the same about the gas fire in the front room. They made her pay best part of £10,000 for another new boiler and a fire. Then in winter during a cold spell the boiler broke so she rang the gas board and they said they were too busy to take any more calls. I had a look and the condensate pipe was frozen.
This is the reason I try and keep my old reliable boiler going for as long as possible.

Please please stop right there. What you are proposing is illegal and dangerous. Do you not understand what an integral part a correctly installed flue is. It’s not in any way shape or form a DIY venture. The boiler shouldn’t even be on at the moment. Please seek the guidance of a properly trained gas engineer who can sort that mess.

 

[Riley]

I had the boiler fitted 40+ years ago and it has only ever needed 2 thermocouples hence my reluctance to change it.
I remember a guy sticking a screwdriver in the side of the flue to make a hole for his analyser. His argument being that the draw from the chimney wouldn't let any gas escape.
So if I fill the hole in is it OK?
I was thinking of getting a 1 metre length section of twin wall to fit to the top of the boiler, then connect a 45 degree bend and then a connector to connect to the flexi flue liner ie so most of the flue in the garage is twin wall. Hopefully this will keep any further meter installers happy?
On another subject the 88 year old lady next door had a new boiler fitted by the gas board 5 years ago and also pays for an annual service/callout plan. Last year when it was serviced they frightened her by saying that it was getting a bit old, parts maybe hard to find and she could be left without heating. They said the same about the gas fire in the front room. They made her pay best part of £10,000 for another new boiler and a fire. Then in winter during a cold spell the boiler broke so she rang the gas board and they said they were too busy to take any more calls. I had a look and the condensate pipe was frozen.
This is the reason I try and keep my old reliable boiler going for as long as possible.

Ps nobody “made” her pay for it. £10000 is a lot but come on she could’ve shopped around for quotes. Once again you make it sound like all installers are out to fleece you. No responsible engineer is going to tell you to change and upgrade for fun. The reluctance to upgrade to save a few quid could prove horrendously expensive with someone’s life. Don’t be a statistic please.

 

[Steve jones]

Please please stop right there. What you are proposing is illegal and dangerous. Do you not understand what an integral part a correctly installed flue is. It’s not in any way shape or form a DIY venture. The boiler shouldn’t even be on at the moment. Please seek the guidance of a properly trained gas engineer who can sort that mess.

Ok, I'll make some enquiries next week and I'm sorry if the story about my neighbour caused any offence to you guys. I appreciate all your comments

 

[Riley]

It’s not really caused offence but it’s always a few baduns that tar the lot of us.

 

[DXCross]

Wrong. NCS DOES exist, you just do not note it on a Warning Label. You can (and I do/would) nite them on my Invoice/Report sheet.

Are you under the impression that all ex NCS situations are AR?

During my recent re-assessments it was told to me that ncs wasn’t a ‘thing’ anymore however during a recent convo with another gsr engineer it appears it is. Just isn’t viable on a form as such so I’m wrong in this instance; apologises!

 

[Aire]

During my recent re-assessments it was told to me that ncs wasn’t a ‘thing’ anymore however during a recent convo with another gsr engineer it appears it is. Just isn’t viable on a form as such so I’m wrong in this instance; apologises!

From my assessment I was told ncs was done away with too, without double checking I'm sure we now have 2 categories of AR, one category was dealt with by just filling out a form to notify the customer which basically replaced ncs and the other where we would have to turn the appliance off, fill out a form and attach a label.

 

[Pickwickpick]

From my assessment I was told ncs was done away with too, without double checking I'm sure we now have 2 categories of AR, one category was dealt with by just filling out a form to notify the customer which basically replaced ncs and the other where we would have to turn the appliance off, fill out a form and attach a label.

We've been taught that they have got rid of NCS and things that would have fallen under that category are to be called none compliant. We should inform the customer of it but there are no stickers to leave/forms to fill out.

 

[Aire]

We've been taught that they have got rid of NCS and things that would have fallen under that category are to be called none compliant. We should inform the customer of it but there are no stickers to leave/forms to fill out.

Yeah your right, just checked and, you can still notify in writing if you wish but not as part of a warning notice, so verbally is fine.

 

[DXCross]

Hopefully not high jacking the thread too much but seems a bit backwards in my opinion. Gas safe really didn’t relay the information too well?
Either way it’s a learning curve and happy to be corrected. Thanks

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Ncs still exists just note it down but do nothing about it no labels nothing

 

[Aire]

Hopefully not high jacking the thread too much but seems a bit backwards in my opinion. Gas safe really didn’t relay the information too well?
Either way it’s a learning curve and happy to be corrected. Thanks

Don't think it's an issue with gas safe relaying the info, it's probably people (like me) forgetting.

I haven't had to use the warning system since qualifying so I guess it's easily done.

 

[Pickwickpick]

Don't think it's an issue with gas safe relaying the info, it's probably people (like me) forgetting.

I haven't had to use the warning system since qualifying so I guess it's easily done.

What is the process for Gas Safe relaying such information? Our tutors told us they put out technical bulletins on their website, do they also post or email them out, or do they have an equivalent of a trade magazine?

 

[Riley]

They have a mag but it’s all targeted wrong. The magazine is more about what not to do rather than improving standards

 

[Pickwickpick]

Thought that might be the case, its bonkers as that would be a really easy win for them, especially at a time when they're under the spotlight (iirc only last November Gas Safe were on Watchdog).

 

[Riley]

It’s wrong it’s another contract to the highest bidder who then have no obligation to actually clean up the industry. That’s the problem with all these government tendered contracts there’s never any incentive be it financial or punitive to complete on time or actually achieve things

 

[Pickwickpick]

It’s wrong it’s another contract to the highest bidder who then have no obligation to actually clean up the industry. That’s the problem with all these government tendered contracts there’s never any incentive be it financial or punitive to complete on time or actually achieve things

Yep that's true, but even when they have done contracts with so incentives/disincentives (e.g. probation services) its still not driven up standards to an acceptable level. Part of the problem is there's literally only a handful of companies that are large enough to take on these big contracts, so you end up with a quasi monopoly on the go. Capita didn't get the nickname Crapita for no reason, yet they keep being awarded government contracts... I also personally think that when it comes to regulatory bodies there should be no profit motive involved.