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Discuss Fire valve requirement in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at PlumbersForums.net

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How long has it been mandatory to install a fire valve in the fuel line when installing a new boiler to comply with Part J?
Now could someone hazard a guess as to roughly how long to do the following.
1 Remove an old oil fired boiler.
2 Replace with a new oil fired boiler
3 Install a 3m remote fire valve
4. Tidy up afterwards.

I am asking this as have received a quote for the above work. Now 2 yrs ago I received a quote from the same firm for the exact same job, minus the fire valve, when I was told would be completed in a day. Now it is going to take 3 days!
 
How long has it been mandatory to install a fire valve in the fuel line when installing a new boiler to comply with Part J?

I first did my OFTEC in 2007 and it was a requirement then and long before that too I imagine. The oldest boilers I worked on were more than 20 years old in 2007 and they always had a fire valve too, usually an old type with a low melting point metal holding them open designed to melt in fire and close the oil supply. (called a fusible head valve I think)

More modern designs are of the capillary type with remote probe.

It's an absolute must, not an optional extra and has been so for "ages".
 
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I find odd then that my quote of 2 years ago never mentioned it, maybe was included in the quote and not specifically mentioned.
Am in the process of getting other quotes.
 
I suggest you get more people in for quotes as obviously you dont trust this person.

A couple of possibilities is

1) he may of been a bit inexperienced at quoting and didnt write everything down and cut his time down to win jobs.

2) hes realised you need to allow more time to do the jobs properly

3) maybe he thinks your a time waster as hes been out to price for you twice for the same job so just added an extra day on as twit tax.
 
He works for a much bigger concern so does not really affect him if the get the job or not so points 1 and 2 possibly not valid. On point 3 they know why nothing has happened in 2 years and are okay with it
so do not thing they have loaded it intentionally.
 
A job like that could take at least one day and perhaps 3 days depending on how difficult each task is.
I would think minimum 2 days not including a powerflush.
 
Have not got around to asking what they intend to do with the condensate. Will need a soakaway as not on mains drainage.
 
He works for a much bigger concern so does not really affect him if the get the job or not so points 1 and 2 possibly not valid.

I'm not sure it wouldnt affect him as I dont think his boss will look at it and go ah well maybe next time.

I can just imagine the bosses at British gas saying to their sales men oh it doesn't matter if we get the installs or not and we wont sack you if you dont make so many sales.
 
As am installing twin insulated pipe between the house and the boiler house which necessitates digging a trench across a lawn. The guy with the digger can dig out a soakaway pit at the same time.
 
Using a digger for a condensate soakaway might be a bit overkill. Have a look online at the ready made plastic containers. They’re not very big.
 
If it’s like for like then two people could get it done in a long day we have done it before in a long day but normally 2 days should be there but depends on new location pipe runs condense etc.. 3 days maximum. Fire valves have always been there they have to be fitted and have to be on the oil line outside the building before it comes in! Just redone my often this week. Like others have said there is oil boilers out there that have been installed 20+ years ago. Be crazy not to fit one because if there is a fire then the outcome won’t be good.
 
If it’s like for like then two people could get it done in a long day we have done it before in a long day but normally 2 days should be there but depends on new location pipe runs condense etc.. 3 days maximum. Fire valves have always been there they have to be fitted and have to be on the oil line outside the building before it comes in! Just redone my often this week. Like others have said there is oil boilers out there that have been installed 20+ years ago. Be crazy not to fit one because if there is a fire then the outcome won’t be good.
 
How long is a piece of string? No two jobs are the same. It depends on what remedial work is needed. It's not simply a case of taking out a boiler and putting a new one in. The original system for a start needs all the sludge cleaning and flushing out (you wouldnt' put a new engine in your car and put the old oil back in). The controls and system design needs to meet current safety and energy efficiency requirements (or you won't get the full benefit of an upgrade and save as much money on heating as you should). Your radiators may not have thermostatic radiator valves, your system may not have an automatic bypass fitted or have independent heating and hot water controls if it's old . Insulation may be lacking, you may have an old style wheel room thermostat, you probably don't have a system water filter fitted etc etc etc. (you wouldn't run Windows 95 on a brand new laptop) As for the requirement for a fire safety valve, a remote sensing valve has been mandatory since about 1999, and prior to then, a fusible head fire valve has been mandatory since the 1980s. Lack of one may invaluidate any fire insurance cover you may have.
 

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