Flues in voids

[Millsy 82]

At the moment we are getting allot of flues in voids as I would imagine everybody is however I have a couple of questions regarding my 2 most recent jobs

1st Job

Worcester 240 with no analyser point, No inspection hatches, Flue route is easy to determine. The flame picture is good, Burner pressure is correct, No signs of distress on ceiling where flue runs, Only able to see 300mm of flue where it connects to the boiler the connection is made correctly, There is no flue clip visible, Flue is solid and does not move.

Would this be At Risk or not to current standards.

2nd Job

Large block of flats with Gledhill boilers. flues run horizontal out of flat into a void which is made by the wall of the flat and a wall into a communal area where it runs vertical to the roof. The communal area has a dome on top but open sides all round the dome and a gate instead of a front door allowing air into. The flue is visible through hatches which were not designed for the flue and it is difficult to make out the flues. Access hatches will be cut in this year by the management company.

Would this void be classed as part of the flat so would they need a minimum of CO detectors in the flat above or would the void be classed as in the communal area should there be CO detectors be fitted in the communal area or would this area be classed as outside air due to open gate and open sides at the top of the building.

 

[ambrosia]

I was hoping someone more knowledgeable than me would answer, i'm interested to know the correct answer

but have you read this post
http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/gas-safety-register-forum/33022-flues-voids-info.html

also i saw something on the corgi website
Corgi Direct

 

[Millsy 82]

I dont think there is a correct answer I have spoken to and emailed gas safe and all I get is follow TB008 and the checklist then take it from there.

Job 1
I have AR but the letting agency had been told to fit CO detectors. But to me as there was no clips visible I have to assume there are no clips on the flue therefore it would be AR. Its a shame as fitting inspection hatches would be impossible the only chance would be to run a new flue.

Is this right my way of thinking is if I cover myself I cant have any comebacks but this will lose my company business as others are just fitting CO detectors and thats it.

Job 2
I N.C.S this as technically the flue is not running through the flat and although no hatches it is in a commual area which is open top and bottom. We have also given letters to the flats in which these flues go past to install CO detectors. This 1 I believe is a grey area which gas safe were useless when asked about it.

I just posted this up to see what others are doing and what they would do if they came across these situations.

 

[bennygas]

whilst this is not a solution by any means, but in order to help build a picture as to the integrity of the flue, would it not be possible to sample the quality of the combustion air being drawn through the air duct at the entry into the boiler? By the sounds of it, you might have a bit of trouble getting a sample probe in there, but if you could confirm that the air was not tainted with any p.o.c.'s (i.e. combustion air quality is same as background sample for ambient fresh air) then that would at least enable you to evidence any decision you make about the integrity of the internal flue.