Sealed Flu - Engineer cannot inspect or fit hatches - Any options?

[badasschris]

Hi we recently tried to get a gas safety certificate in our flat but because the flu is sealed it has been marked as at risk.

After paying for investigation work (~£100) we were told that they could install inspection hatches (£400-£600) and that would be the end of the matter. However after cutting a hatch hole in the ceiling of the shared hallway the engineer says this

"after opening up the ceiling void to hopefully expose the boilers flue it was still concealed.There are cables and other services that have been protected by what looks like a fire resistant board. I cannot remove these boards for obvious reasons."



What options do we have now? I'm guessing none and we will have to remove a perfectly good gas system and replace with electric heating. Is there no other way to inspect a concealed flu apart from fitting these inspection hatches? e.g. inspection cameras?

The heating system is a boiler with a water tank and I think the water tank has an electric heating option. Is that just for emergencies or could it be used as the main water heating method and just have to install electric central heating and remove the gas boiler?

Any advice is really appreciated as the costs keep mounting.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[AWheating]

you can get electronic co sensors that turn off your appliance when co is detected. But you would have to find out if its possible to fit them in a comunal space and meet fire regs etc.....

something like the baxi NoCo system may be a possible solution.

 

[badasschris]

you can get electronic co sensors that turn off your appliance when co is detected. But you would have to find out if its possible to fit them in a comunal space and meet fire regs etc.....

something like the baxi NoCo system may be a possible solution.

Thanks for this, do you know if it is required to have the sensors placed all along the flu or only for the portion that is within the house?

 

[badasschris]

Sorry for double post, this forum seems to update really slowly. Apparently the sensors are not an option because he needs to be able to see where the flu goes and he cant. So they are going to cap the gas and we have to buy tenants temporary electric heaters.

Crazy that the central heating system was given the all clear last year and now it looks like it need to be removed.

I doubt it but is this somethign that can be claimed on buildings insurance?

 

[Scott_D]

Can the flue be re-routed?

 

[albatross]

Or move the boiler to (or nearer) an outside wall?

 

[kirkgas]

Fit the CO sensors

 

[AWheating]

Thanks for this, do you know if it is required to have the sensors placed all along the flu or only for the portion that is within the house?

i would think they must be fitted to the manufacturers instructions to ensure they meet the required regulations.

 

[ambrosia]

Fit the CO sensors

I thought those CO sensors were only a temporary solution while the new regs were being brought in

I just realised it was Kirkgas who said that so i'm probably wrong

where do you fit those CO sensors, does it have to go to a solenoid like commercial kitchens

 

[Roger Welton]

You can have CO sensors that interlock the boiler, however this is only a temp solution when the boiler is replaced you must comply fully (hatches, etc.) or move boiler to a better location (external wall)

 

[smtplumbing]

pictures can provide 100 answers

 

[PETE 123]

X ray specs

 

[buckley plumb]

bet there is lots of flats with flues in the ceilings - when I worked for a company red row did 100s like this running flues in suspended ceilings some through other flata

 

[stevetheplumber]

Dozens on the contract im working on in east london we go in and ar them tennants turn them back on next YEAR repeat ad nauseum

 

[albatross]

I am wrong in thinking something cannot be left at risk or re-at risked for ever? I was under the impression in recent years something could only be deemed at risk temporarily to allow the cust some time to get the fault was remedied and if nothing was done by next service it would escalate to ID.

 

[albatross]

Room sensing carbon monoxide alarms are not an alternative to being able to see the flue and you will still need to have inspection hatches fitted so that the flue system can be checked. It is recommended that inspection hatches are fitted as soon as you are able to do so. From 1 January 2013, any Gas Safe registered engineer will classify the boiler as At Risk, this means that they will turn the boiler off, with your permission, and formally advise you not to use it until inspection hatches have been fitted in appropriate

fron gas safe site

 

[Leo21]

Wasn't there a tb about camera inspections being acceptable?

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Wasn't there a tb about camera inspections being acceptable?

It would make sense

 

[Ermintrude]

Oh not another camera up my flue

 

[Leo21]

Oh not another camera up my flue

Regular occurence is it Ermi?

 

[Ermintrude]

Feckin police , gas safe feild inspectors, farmers.... They all want a look!

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

Gas Safe Register technical bulletin TB008 (Ed 3) guidance document was released on 1[SUP]st[/SUP] April 2013 which calls for inspection hatches to be installed to allow periodic inspection of flues located within a void space. Appendix 1, section 11 of guidance notice allows the use of a CO void monitoring system (COSSVM) where inspection hatches cannot be installed or the home owner is unwilling to have hatches installed.

 

[Reg Man]

This is poop. Go back to the developer/ installer and contact the HSE. This is all to common, but has had loads of time to be sorted. The requirements have been in your several years.

 

[Millsy 82]

This is poop. Go back to the developer/ installer and contact the HSE. This is all to common, but has had loads of time to be sorted. The requirements have been in your several years.

I agree a block of flats I did a lot of work on the builder had to build stairs and install inspection hatches so the flue could be inspected At a cost of £500000 so I heard. These flats were around 8 years old. So I would speak to neighbours if they have the same problem (I would of thought they have the same problem) then take it up with the builder.

 

[Reg Man]

£500000 is a lot of hatches?

 

[ambrosia]

£500000 is a lot of hatches?

council job, do you have to buy key members of the council procurement staff a hoilday in the maldives out of that

 

[Millsy 82]

£500000 is a lot of hatches?

Haha. They had to design and build 3 staircases going up 3 floors which cost the most of the money. They were fitting 2' x 3' hatches as well as there were four flues going up in the void.