Flues in voids

[Reg Man]

Flues in voids:

Just had thought to catch up on current situation of flues in concealed area's. We have had the assessment proceedure in place for the past few years and now it looks like this is going a step further.

Gas Safe Register are pushing for all installations which do not currently have inspection hatches through out the flue run to be treated as AT RISK from 31st December 2012, this is regardless of CO alarms and risk assessments.

Would be pleased to hear any comments you may have on this proposal.

 

[wards]

Thats going to please a lot of our customers,another glitch which i am sure will deter people from using registered engineers.i appreciate safety is paramount but come on,a boiler working as it is intended with no issues and we come along and AR it.they will presume we are out to make more money out of them which in my opinion will drive them towards more unscrupulous operatives,endangering them even more,where will it end?

 

[stevetheplumber]

personally i thing being able to see the flue is important especially on condensing boilers a slight leak on the flue will quickly eat away the air duct if its metal

 

[mfgs]

I agree with it being made AR, I like to be able to inspect the whole flue. Especially with Kestons for example where people have been known to use the wrong type of pipe for their twin pipe flue system

 

[CMairiD]

I've got about 300 properties where flues are going through void spaces. This is going to be a serious pain the neck to survey and arrange inspection hatches (not to mention arguing with tenants that it HAS to be done). Even though it's a hassle, I do think it's the right thing to do.

 

[kirkgas]

another point is the need to install CO alarms in EVERY different room the flue in void goes through, so you could have a couple per house at least, or where the flue is vertical through other properties (that might not have gas) you will need to fit hatches etc, the CO alarm needs to be confirmed as working so access is going to be torture, imagine sending a letter to the top floor tenant saying the gas engineer needs in to check the CO alarm for the downstairs boiler, so please take a half day hol to let us in, aye right that will happen, no access to CO alarm and hatrch means labelling downstairs house AR, haha the joys

 

[CMairiD]

I'm really lucky in that most of my voids aren't true 'voids', for instance ceiling/floor voids. Most are purpose-made boxing in, all contained in one flat or travelling across balcony of the same flat.

The one place that I do have true ceiling voids (and traversing another property) is in an OAP scheme and those lovely dears always let us in.

 

[Dannypipe]

Personally I think it's a good thing. I've found dodgy flues on Kestons, where I've peered through a void with a torch and found a section made from a Coke bottle and Duct tape.

I've found rusted flues, and all the other usual crap.

Sure it's going to be a royal pain in the backside, but if it saves one life, then as far as I'm concerned...its worth it.

 

[Reg Man]

I know it happens, but a modern day flue from one property should not pass through anyone else's dwelling. So therefore the inspection hatches should only effect the dwelling in which the boiler and flue are installed. I will put the senerio of flues passing through other dwellings through to Gas Safe and see how they would view this. After all we have had SE and U ducts in high rise which pass through multiple dwellings but they are concrete blocks.

The situation of inspecting all joints in voids and ducts has become a sensitive issue in recent years, due to the number of CO poisonings which have occurred in this situation and therefore I am backing the recommendation. I agree though that this is not going to be easy or straight forward to implement and the full support from HSE and GSR are going to be required to convince the owner occupiers that this work is required.

 

[tamz]

Flues through other properties nowadays should not have been allowed but the big builders have a lot of influence on things.
Most SE ducts up this way are now obsolete as they were all showing cracking but there are still some in operation.

I agree with the recommendation but it will be a nightmare. Small unobtrusive plastic access hatches are available but try telling someone they have to put 2 or 3 in the ceiling of there 500k flat and see what you get told. You AR it, permission to turn off is refused and they keep going. Turns into nothing more than another CYA exercise.

 

[Dannypipe]

Agree with Reg Man that Gas Safe need to support us. Educate the public via the press/media.

I've serviced a boiler this week. Flue is only aprox' 2 metres long.

Its boxed from the kitchen through to the living room and outside. It will need 3 hatches to comply.

3!!! Over such a short area.

In fairness I think CO detectors should be mandatory to issue a CP12 too. I can see that becoming law eventually.

 

[dave1]

I agree with dannypipe, co detectors should become mandatory, as for inspection hatches that is opening up a whole can off worms, altho you should be able to inspect the fluethroughout its entire length.