Cold water tank almost boiling

[Cat]

Hi folks
I'm new & in need of advice.
Forgive my lack of understanding of plumbing.
This is the first time in over 20yrs that this has been so bad.
We have the cold water tank of our downstairs neighbour in our attic & often the pipes make noise but on Friday the noise became very loud with the pipes rattling & sounds of gurgling.
When I looked at the tank the water was hot (almost boiling am sure you could have boiled an egg in it!)
Neighbours were out.
I called my sons' Dad & he seemed to think neighbours, who have a solid fuel fire had left the vents open & the overflow had caused the tank in our attic to heat up.
My concerns are...
Is this normal?
If neighbours hadn't returned when they did could the tank in my attic have taken any more 'overflow' is there a danger?

I have bought my home but downstairs is still housing association, I had tried to get the tank out my attic in the past but to no avail, obviously I need to allow access.

Should I be concerned, do I need to contact the housing association?

Please put my mind at rest,reassure me, help me understand if this needs to be reported or not.
Thanks in advance for any advice...

Cat

 

[Cat]

Thanks looked at both to find out about regulation standards etc but see the cover England & Wales....am up in Scotland.
I am the owner (ex HA tenant) oooh environmental health might be a good call the HA housing officer for my area in the repair service woman's words "was a much use as a chocolate fireguard"
I called my insurance they won't cover water damage by neighbours tank but I spoke to their legal advice team they're calling me back Monday.
Just write a letter of complaint to Chief Ex of HA.
My sons' Dad is a tradesman he's contacting a qualified certified heating engineer for me to ask him to come look & advise me, I don't want to get told it's all 'fixed' & safe if it's not.
You guys have been so much help, I've learned....ya think I should take up a new career in plumbing?
Cat

 

[ShaunCorbs]

if you want to but there's a long road ahead

 

[Best]

Extending the copper vent pipe higher will not make any difference whatsoever if the solid fuel boiler is greatly overheating!
Needs the overheat problem fixed.
Only thing the vent being higher does on a primary vent is to prevent the vent putting water out when fire working at normal heat

 

[sammathias]

Make sure anyone working on the system is hetas registered (eg solid fuel qualified)

hetas to work on the plumbing of a solid fuel system....?

 

[Cat]

***RESULT***
Update : at long last I have heard from SBHA, they have chased up the heating engineers,who have called to say replacement metal tank is on order & as soon as it's delivered they'll call to arrange access for work. I'm getting compensated for the water damage to my living room, they will also replace the damaged loft insulation and the postie just delivered the letter from SBHA's chief executive upholding my complaint and what they have done to address a number of issues I raised and she has apologised for the distress caused to my family & myself. There will be a new heating system installed downstairs by the end of March. Woohoo!
Once thank you all for your support & advice.
Cat

 

[Darren Jackson]

Well done Cat, power of the press and some professional advice from this forum = ***RESULT*** sleepless nights for you (bliss)!

 

[sammathias]

I would say your neighbour will still need a high limit stat fitted. Which activates their heating pump to come on if their fire is overheating.

 

[Cat]

HA are going to connect downstairs neighbour to gas & install a gas central heating system
No more tank in our attic
Cat

 

[Cat]

Spot the difference...
Replaced tank until neighbours get new gas heating system installed.
Cat

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Am I missing something where's the connection and vent ?

 

[Harvest Fields]

I though that. It Looks like it is piped into the side of the tank? However I wouldn’t say that was an adequate support would you @ShaunCorbs ??

 

[Harvest Fields]

There also doesn’t look like there is an overflow

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I though that. It Looks like it is piped into the side of the tank? However I wouldn’t say that was an adequate support would you @ShaunCorbs ??

Don't know but hope it's not Kats loft hatch

 

[Harvest Fields]

It could well be.

 

[Cat]

Oh guys....what now?
Is that not looking like it should?
There was I thinking it was way better than that auld warped wee plastic tank...
Cat