fumes from boiler flue nauseating- please advise

[Tap dancer]

They could have used a fume detector to prove whether or not any fumes were coming from the boiler.

It was a complete waste of time calling them in, and it was nothing to do with my boiler.

 

[CMairiD]

Trisha, after the repair if the noxious fumes continue, you could always try the Environmental department of your local council. If it can be proved that the fumes are a nuisance, even if the boiler is installed to manufacturer's instructions, then the council may deem it a statutory nuisance and could force the landlord to move it.

Most importantly though, you keep talking about your CO detector being clear. Do you mean a spot card detector? If so, then this is not a suitable form of CO protection. Instead you should have an audible CO alarm, that is installed to manufacturers instructions and routinely tested.

 

[AWheating]

They could have used a fume detector to prove whether or not any fumes were coming from the boiler.

It was a complete waste of time calling them in, and it was nothing to do with my boiler.

you reported fumes right?

what if you did not call them and you dropped dead that night? your property was made safe and you got a qualified person in to take a look. Do you think you should get work done for free? they are there to provide a service to make sure your safe not come and check your appliances for free.

they also dont carry analyser's as far as i know.

 

[mountainman]

JHC,
Where has the Professionalism and Duty of Care in our Profession disappeared to?

All I seem to encounter nowadays are managers of all levels who have the rule book strapped to their hearts and who are more fearful of their own job security than ensuring the safety of their customers and the quality of service that their engineers are trained and able to provide.

What can we do; other than moan about it? there must be SOMETHING!

We are qualified, licenced, many of us muchly experienced and honourable professionals, our decisions can be challenged and tested in a court of law, and as such we are expert witnesses.

I despair at this awful buck-passing society sometimes!

Rant over (for now) my chill pill is calling me...

 

[Tap dancer]

you reported fumes right?

what if you did not call them and you dropped dead that night? your property was made safe and you got a qualified person in to take a look. Do you think you should get work done for free? they are there to provide a service to make sure your safe not come and check your appliances for free.

they also dont carry analyser's as far as i know.

By the time he arrived, there was no trace of any fumes whatsoever. And the fumes had not even been a gas smell. I thought they would have had something to check for fumes, and whether or not they were from gas.

For all the good he did, I may as well have called in my local street sweeper and asked him to tell me to get a GSR to come.

 

[Tap dancer]

And by the way, about a mile from my house, a gas smell in the area was reported by several people.

Nothing was done about it.

A house blew up and was completely destroyed.

A girl of about 9 was killed, she just happened to be walking past.

"Lessons will be learned" they said.

 

[Koogatubac]

Gas safe is a joke. No1 listens or communicates until someone dies. My faith has gone with gas safe

 

[AWheating]

Sometimes i think it does not matter how many times you advertise and promote the dangers of co,gas leaks etc.... to many people dont care untill it happens to them, trouble is its too late in most cases. Even when they are told theres a fault they still dont want to have things turned off, people can die for all i care but dont commit murder and take your family and neighbours with you.

 

[REDSAW]

They could have used a fume detector to prove whether or not any fumes were coming from the boiler.

It was a complete waste of time calling them in, and it was nothing to do with my boiler.

i think they stopped using canaries years ago!.

a call to your local environmental health department is now needed as you are now laying the paper trail.
they should take a week and will act on your behalf. i have done this recently and now on the verge of court proceedings with the 'landlord' of a tennant of mine for dodgy work.

 

[Trisha88]

Hi again

Last night at 7.30pm I was pleased to see a big van arrived with a large "Gas safety" logo on it. Definitely not the landlord's regular guy.
The tenant downstairs had been up to see me again saying he was fed up as they'd had no heating/hot water for 3 days.
This morning the boiler was running as normal....making the usual loud whirring noise and produced the usual acrid/pungent exhaust type fumes....

I've achieved nothing by phoning Transco as all they did was antagonize the owner who then hurled abuse and sent me numerous unpleasant emails saying he was going to sue me for loss of income!!

they couldn't test as the boiler wasn't working-


"Trisha, after the repair if the noxious fumes continue, you could always try the Environmental department of your local council. If it can be proved that the fumes are a nuisance, even if the boiler is installed to manufacturer's instructions, then the council may deem it a statutory nuisance and could force the landlord to move it."

I think this may have to be the next step.

I just WISH somehow someone could just tell me what these fumes are cos if they aren't harmful then I'll let the matter drop.

Re: CO detector, the one arriving today is a good electric one...

​

 

[AWheating]

the landlord atitude is not your problem, he/she is a douch.... angry people tend to blame everyone but themselves for everything, whos fault is it the boiler has not been checked for years? yours i guess lol.

as regards your neighbour hes an idiot to for putting his comfort above his, his familys and your safety.

i hope you get somewhere with the EH.

 

[Trisha88]

Thanks everyone.

New CO detector currently sitting on window sill.

Have window open as it's a nice day and am contemplating what to do next- have a feeling EH will want to test the fumes and they probably cant do this as they are only present for short periods of time at random intervals.
So as soon as the central heating is turned on downstairs and the awful mechanical grinding noise starts (which woke me at 6pm this morning!) I'll just shut the window as usual to avoid the smell!

Oh well....if anyone has any more clues on this please let me know!

 

[Trisha88]

Most importantly though, you keep talking about your CO detector being clear. Do you mean a spot card detector? If so, then this is not a suitable form of CO protection. Instead you should have an audible CO alarm, that is installed to manufacturers instructions and routinely tested.

My new one is quite flashy...it has various lights and lots of detailed instructions and stickers with "what to do if..."
I have it on the window sill as that's where the fumes come in from...although lots of fresh air does too (as it's often open).
🙂

 

[CMairiD]

My new one is quite flashy...it has various lights and lots of detailed instructions and stickers with "what to do if..."
I have it on the window sill as that's where the fumes come in from...although lots of fresh air does too (as it's often open).
🙂

Please fit the detector to manufacturer's instructions. I'm pretty sure it doesn't say 'sit on window sill'! I don't mean to be pedantic, but if you have it in the wrong place, it may not do its job.

 

[AWheating]

yes i agree you need to fit the detector to the manufactures instructions for it to work and protect you correctly.

the EH may be able to leave a air testing device which takes sample at intervals throughout the day, you need to speak to them. Even if the flue is fitted ok and the boiler works as designed if its causing foul air to come into your property then you are entitled to complain. You entitled to be safe and healthy in your own home. Please dont give in and phone them.

 

[Trisha88]

Transco really have caused me problems. They rang me today and asked if the matter was resolved. I said it wasn't but that the fumes being emitted did NOT smell of gas.
I told them their first visit had antagonized the landlord & he had become abusive.

They said they had to do another visit if the smell was there and I asked them NOT to involve me.

However the tenant has just been to see me and is fuming as he was told "a lady in the block of flats" reported a gas smell. He was very cross with me...

Transco said they'll ring me in a few days to see if the matter was resolved...if they do i won't be answering!

Sorry but to all of you who told me to ring them...I wish I hadn't listened. I knew they only deal with gas leaks and I now have fallen out with my neighbours!

 

[mountainman]

Just a thought, can you get a copy of your neighbours Gas Safety Certificate (AKA CP12) to see if any issues were raised?

 

[Rickster123]

The chances are that your neighbours boiler is fine and the flue is far enough away from your window to meet manufacturers requirements.
Best bet, shut the window and move on.

 

[REDSAW]

have you tried telling the land lord and tenant to turn the boiler on and come upstairs and see what they think?

 

[Trisha88]

yes i agree you need to fit the detector to the manufactures instructions for it to work and protect you correctly.

the EH may be able to leave a air testing device which takes sample at intervals throughout the day, you need to speak to them.

Good idea- thanks for this. 🙂

 

[Trisha88]

Just a thought, can you get a copy of your neighbours Gas Safety Certificate (AKA CP12) to see if any issues were raised?

I have asked for this several times but been refused. The landlord really isn't happy at all with me. he said the tenant was upset about the intrusion by Transco and has threatened to sue me for loss of income if the tenant moves out.

Sadly our residents association have had ongoing issues with this landlord for ten years...He has never complied with very much, especially in terms of his lettings, and gets very angry when challenged.

 

[Trisha88]

The chances are that your neighbours boiler is fine and the flue is far enough away from your window to meet manufacturers requirements.
Best bet, shut the window and move on.

I've done this on and off since the issue began back in 2007. However I would like to be able to open my window when I need to and have every right to do so. This is why I sought advice on this board. Please put yourself in my position- the fumes come up directly below my living room and kitchen and these are the two rooms I use most.

I would try and ignore the smell if someone... anyone, could tell me they are not harmful in any way. However the fact that they make me feel nauseous concerns me.

One clue is that they might come out of a small grid below the flue and not the flue itself? It's a rectangular metal grid which juts out slightly on the external wall.

I wondered this because the normal fumes that i can see emerging from the plastic flue are definitely harmless/odourless steam, however the horrid pungent fumes are not visible at all. They emerge at a completely different time altogether.. when the system is first switched on and the mechanical grinding noise starts up...

 

[zzzjim]

Could some one with some ventilation experience , get air flowing out of you problem window

rather than in , no a fix , but may rid you of nuisance smell ( Some car catalysts stink )

 

[Millsy 82]

I have asked for this several times but been refused. The landlord really isn't happy at all with me. he said the tenant was upset about the intrusion by Transco and has threatened to sue me for loss of income if the tenant moves out.

Sadly our residents association have had ongoing issues with this landlord for ten years...He has never complied with very much, especially in terms of his lettings, and gets very angry when challenged.

It does not matter what the landlord is like my advise is every time the ESP (Transco/Wales and west etc) call if you have still had the smell then report it. If the landlord will not show you a copy of the gas safety certificate then speak to gas safe to get involved (Although you may find them useless as they dont seem to want to get involved unless someone is already dead or in a serious condition) If they are useless then go to HSE as gas safe will not be the people who prosecute it will be HSE so you may have better luck with them. I deal with dodgy landlords day in day out as soon as you give them the right threat ( Legal wise not baseball bat wise) They usually then listen to sense.

 

[doitmyself]

One clue is that they might come out of a small grid below the flue and not the flue itself? It's a rectangular metal grid which juts out slightly on the external wall.

So the problem may not be related to the boiler!

You say that you hear a grinding noise each time the odour occurs. Could it be a waste disposal unit in the neighbour's sink?

The grid is probably a vent for the neighbour's kitchen, to allow cooking smells out.

 

[zzzjim]

issue began back in 2007 .... fumes are nauseous ....

See if you can get a friend to help identify the smell , may gives clues to what it is ?

 

[Dotty]

Whereabouts are you Trisha? One of us may be close by..... And some of us are really scary looking!

 

[REDSAW]

not going to tell me this is a kitchen extractor venting un-savoury kitchen smells are you?

 

[Trisha88]

""One clue is that they might come out of a small grid below the flue and not the flue itself? It's a rectangular metal grid which juts out slightly on the external wall.""

I said this last week but I am wrong & I take this back. Just videoed the fumes pouring out of the white plastic wall extractor and coming towards my window. They do not come from the metal grid. They are the same looking fumes that come out daily but when they coincide with the mechanical pump type noise these fumes are very pungent.

Also- someone here asked what they smell of... very easy....exactly the same as someone revving a large engine...but more acrid!

I'm burning an incense stick right now as the smell flooded my living room.
The CO detector ahsn't buzzed though, I'm pleased to say...

 

[Dotty]

You've enough posts to allow you to post the video Trisha, can you do that for us please?

And whereabouts are you? I'd love for one of us to pop in and take a butcher's, if only to calm your mind and satisfy our curiosity!

 

[Stuthewarrior]

If this such a problem Trisha would pay for someone to give there professional opinion.....

 

[theanalyst]

I have come across a stinking flue like this before and am surprised this hasn't been mentioned already....
I would bet it is a fan flued boiler, and the FAN IS NOISY (hence the startup noise) and when running at hi speed its faulty bearings are causing the plastic to overheat creating an acrid smell which is being discharged into the flue.

If it is a plasticcy burning smell (it cant be car exhaust smell as the boiler isn't petrol powered!) I would bet money on it being that.

Unless your neighbours growing some kind of drugs.

I wouldn't give a damn about falling out with people. This is your health and burning plastic is carcinogenic and not very nice to breath in (if it is even that)

Im not sure what else you could do about it but if your that bothered you could offer to pay for the boiler to be inspected and repaired (get someone good off here as has been recommended then you wont get ripped off) , or move out!! or ignore it until the boiler dies.

 

[e/bourneplumber]

could it not be the extractor fan in the bath room making the noise and smell (the small vent / grill that sticks out a bit) - maybe the fan is knackered, and you're associating it with the boiler when you see it pluming, when say for example, your neighbour is running a bath or is in the shower? or as above the boilers fan is at fault.