Boiler flue not accessible but builder says it's all one piece

[tonymorris24]

Hello everyone. I'm hoping someone can help...

We have recently redone our property and there is a new boiler and flue. The flue enters the ceiling above the boiler and is hidden from view (above a bathroom) until it exits through the wall.

We have tried to get a gas certificate but the engineer can't see sufficiently far to confirm there are no joins in the flue pipe. We'd like to avoid access hatches having just re-done the ceiling, and the builder (who has now gone AWOL) promised it was all one piece.

Can we put a camera inside the flue - might that answer the question? Any other ideas?

Thanks so much

Tony

 

[Riley]

You will need hatches cutting into the ceiling to verify this. Doesn’t matter if the builder says it’s one piece the next gas engineer can’t verify that

 

[ShaunCorbs]

theres joints in the rook space

needs hatches also who installed the boiler?

 

[Riley]

did the builder fit the boiler and flue?

 

[Riley]

I’d say it’s too long to be one piece

 

[Riley]

theres joints in the rook space

needs hatches also who installed the boiler?

Great minds

 

[tonymorris24]

I’d say it’s too long to be one piece

Thanks - the builder (company now in liquidation, so we're stuck...) said it was one piece - the length is about 2.4m. Presumably it could theoretically be one piece, if we recorded a camera inside the pipe would that work?

If not, would you mind letting me know roughly how much hatches cost?

Thanks!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Thanks - the builder (company now in liquidation, so we're stuck...) said it was one piece - the length is about 2.4m. Presumably it could theoretically be one piece, if we recorded a camera inside the pipe would that work?

If not, would you mind letting me know roughly how much hatches cost?

Thanks!

wont be in once piece max flue length in one piece is 2m but i will be surprised as no on uses them unless they have to

also you will still have two joints one boiler end one flue exit end

best option get a gas safe engy in to re commission and inspect the boiler also get him to fix hatches where the flue runs

 

[tonymorris24]

wont be in once piece max flue length in one piece is 2m but i will be surprised as no on uses them unless they have to

also you will still have two joints one boiler end one flue exit end

best option get a gas safe engy in to re commission and inspect the boiler also get him to fix hatches where the flue runs

Thanks - do you know roughly how much hatches should cost to fit?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Thanks - do you know roughly how much hatches should cost to fit?

depends on a lot of factors

any where from £150 to x amount

do they need to be fire rated are they easy to install best get a quote

 

[Riley]

Get a couple of quotes. Also who fitted the boiler??

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Get a couple of quotes. Also who fitted the boiler??

im guessing builder

 

[SimonG]

Well if the builder said..........

 

[Allgoode]

Builder ??????????

Maybe commissioning/benchmark sheet not filed it.

I must be getting cynical in my old age.

I would v.strongly suggest it will need recommissioning with correct inspection hatches as previously mentioned, not just to tick the box but for your own peace of mind.

Just think of your priorities & the safety of your family.

Is it really worth saving a few quid............

 

[Chuck]

im guessing builder

Boiler's got a British Gas sticker on it?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Boiler's got a British Gas sticker on it?

bg maybe the servicing party eg the ones recommending hatches

 

[Riley]

Op has vanished. Possibly didn’t like the hatches idea

 

[Welder]

Take another look at the boiler picture chaps. IMHO that's no new boiler. My 10p says the builder did the job to save 3s 11d

 

[Riley]

Op said new boiler

 

[Welder]

Op said new boiler

That's why I mentioned it...

 

[Gasmk1]

That's why I mentioned it...

It's definitely not a new boiler

 

[firemant]

Why is thhere a towel rad, about 6" from the ceiling?

Is that label not a cupboard label?

 

[firemant]

Why is thhere a towel rad, about 6" from the ceiling?

It is a compartment label.

 

[snowhead]

Why is thhere a towel rad, about 6" from the ceiling?

Long towels??

Is that label not a cupboard label?

Boiler is in a compartment, see second photo in Original Post.
It doesn't say whether the boiler compartment is in the bathroom or outside of it or previously had a boiler in it and the flue has been altered or that the boiler is new.

But it does say bathroom redone recently, so if it's a recently installed boiler why is a (British Gas ?) GSR looking at it now?

 

[Aire]

Unfortunately we do need to be able to inspect the full length of the flue, when flues are boxed in this is usually achieved by placing access hatches at every joint, these hatches also have to be a minimum of 300mm x 300mm and you will need at least 3 of them. A camera will not be sufficient. You say the flue is above a recently done bathroom ceiling. Whats above the ceiling? Is there removable floorboards?

 

[Gasmk1]

Long towels??


Boiler is in a compartment, see second photo in Original Post.
It doesn't say whether the boiler compartment is in the bathroom or outside of it or previously had a boiler in it and the flue has been altered or that the boiler is new.

But it does say bathroom redone recently, so if it's a recently installed boiler why is a (British Gas ?) GSR looking at it now?

Hello everyone. I'm hoping someone can help...

We have recently redone our property and there is a new boiler and flue. The flue enters the ceiling above the boiler and is hidden from view (above a bathroom) until it exits through the wall.

 

[Malcolm Senior]

I have a blue Peter badge but that doesn't mean anything.
As others have said, arrange for hatches so the flue can be inspected. Once done peace of mind.

 

[Mark K]

I bet you could see it with a camera, but I bet your car does over 70mph if you want it to, the law says you can't go over 70 and you need hatches to inspect that flue. No amount of reasoning with people who will ultimately be responsible will change those facts.

 

[Meady]

I think the op is on about using a camera to confirm whether or not there are any joints in the flue before cutting access panels in, not to us it as an inspection method.

 

[Aire]

I think the op is on about using a camera to confirm whether or not there are any joints in the flue before cutting access panels in, not to us it as an inspection method.

Of course there are joints in the flue, there's the connection at the elbow and op says the run is about 2.4m so they'll be at least one more joint where the extension piece joins to the outlet piece. And regardless of what op suspects, we still need some form of access to inspect the flue, joints or not.

 

[SlimD]

.

 

[SlimD]

Doesn’t matter what the builder says. Sounds like a bit of a fly-by-night so he could say anything he likes and you’d be none the wiser.
Bottom line is consealed flues MUST be accessible for inspection. Whether that’s hatches or some other means of access. It’s done for safety so that a flue can be checked to make sure it’s safe and working properly and not leaking. Otherwise it could be leaking fumes into the ceiling which would find their way down into the living space and no one would know until one day someone doesn’t wake up.
Sorry to be so blunt but if the builder was a bit of a cowboy then it’s even more important. A few extra quid isn’t worth a life.

 

[oilmark]

How do you check a flue liner is all one piece??
Nice brass label if we're lucky, filled in by A.N Other.

 

[Riley]

How do you check a flue liner is all one piece??
Nice brass label if we're lucky, filled in by A.N Other.

Not the point though is it

 

[JVTrades]

Another point here is that it looks as though illegal gas work has been carried here and that should be reported/investigated.