Extractor fan vs gas fire

[Tschaka]

Hello to all Gas Safe Engineers.

Our kitchen extractor fan is affecting the updraft of our gas fire stove. Our engineer disconnected it and told us to clean the chimney and install extra ventilation in our lounge. We did this but it is still a problem. The engineer has suggested we contact Gazco to see if they have any advice on improving the airflow of the fire (particularly moving the flue from the back of the fire to the top of the stove). I sent an email to Gazco but haven't heard back from them yet.

I've considered installing a chimney fan but have no idea of the cost or effectiveness of these things. I've also been advised that the engineer should be able to calculate the ventilation requirements but I'm not aware of him doing this.

Can anyone suggest the best, most cost-effective, way to deal with the problem? The extractor fan's high speed is very powerful and I have wondered about trying to downgrade its performance?

Thanks in advance.

 

[rpm]

Are they both in the same room? New fan/ replacement fan? Which was there first?

 

[Chuck]

Employ a different engineer. The previous one has done the bare minimum, if that, and walked out on you. Was he GSR qualified? From your description of the issues, I'm surprised they didn't cutoff the appliances.

 

[snowhead]

The Extract fan is looking for replacement air, even if it has to pull it down the fire's flue.
The gas fire /stove is looking for combustion air.
The extract fan will always win.

The solution is the availability of more air form outside, nearer to the extract fan.

 

[Last Plumber]

As above.
An incoming air fan would be best, if the extract is as powerful as you say.

This may be OTT in a domestic premises but I have in the past installed an interlock so if the extract fan is used, the gas supply to an appliance is isolated.
Oposite to what we do in commercial kitchens really.

It would obviously have to be designed so it is fail safe and cannot be over ridden. Labelling is important too.


Just a thought!

 

[Tschaka]

Are they both in the same room? New fan/ replacement fan? Which was there first?

The two rooms are separated by the dining room

 

[Tschaka]

The Extract fan is looking for replacement air, even if it has to pull it down the fire's flue.
The gas fire /stove is looking for combustion air.
The extract fan will always win.

The solution is the availability of more air form outside, nearer to the extract fan.

That makes sense - thanks!

 

[Tschaka]

Employ a different engineer. The previous one has done the bare minimum, if that, and walked out on you. Was he GSR qualified? From your description of the issues, I'm surprised they didn't cutoff the appliances.

Well, he disconnected it. He is qualified.

 

[Chuck]

Well, he disconnected it. He is qualified.

Does 'it' refer to the fan or the gas? I read, possibly wrongly, your description as meaning he disconnected the extractor.

 

[Tschaka]

Ah, yes. It was the gas fire that was disconnected. He's been pretty good really. A friend and a professional who won't bend the rules.

 

[AWheating]

Unless I'm wrong the regs on require you to test with fans in adjoining rooms. You can roughly figure out what size free air is required by test them with a window slightly open, keep opening it alittle more until you get to the point the fire does not spill. Measure the area of the window opening.