Is my boiler illegal and can't be serviced?

T

Teddg

Joined
28 Oct 2009
Messages
16
Reaction score
1
Country
United Kingdom
Hi,

We bought a new Barratt Home in 2007 and haven't modified the boiler or its boxing since then however today an engineer has refused to service it saying its boxing and exposed pipe is illegal (boxing above boiler and pipe to side - photo attached).

The boiler has been serviced each year, without comment by numerous different companies, but last week the boilers circuit board packed in. The first engineer who looked at the boiler and ordered in the new circuit board never mentioned anything however the second engineer who came to fix the board (from the same company) installed it but refused to service it saying as he couldn't access the flue it was illegal and left a nice big 'Danger - Do not use' sticker on the boiler.

The boiler's fixed to an external wall and the flue vents straight through the external wall directly behind the boiler.

He'll happily return to service the boiler but only after I've removed the casing so he can see the flue.

Would welcome some thoughts and advice.

Thanks

IMG_0538.JPG IMG_0539.JPG
 
Actually it's classed as at risk due to not being able to check the flue. This is as a result of issues happening unseen with the flue effectiveness. Now all joints must be inspected before the boiler is put back into service after work inside it, but an existing boiler may be used unless there are signs of a problem.
Just fit an access hatch or make the boxing removable for inspection.
 
If that boxing isn't removable then nobody has serviced your boiler properly, as removing it to both check the flue joints and also combustion performance is an essential part of the service. Your second engineer is quite correct, and the rules on having access to flue joints for inspection have been in force for the last five years. It is for your safety.
 
Could it be a rear entry flue that goes from the back of the boiler and straight out horizontally through the wall ?
 
bernardgreen said:
Could it be a rear entry flue that goes from the back of the boiler and straight out horizontally through the wall ?
Click to expand...
well as you are not a gas engineer and know nothing about boilers please leave the advise to those that do, that boiler can not be rear flued it can only be top flued and just needs an inspection hatch
 
Thanks. So when Barratts installed the fixed boxing it was OK at the time but with rules changing 5 years ago, flue now needs inspecting. Can’t believe 5 different engineers have serviced it in last 5 years and not one has mentioned it before.

Just pulled out the last few service reports and all say flue was inspected visually ‘pass’ and termination satisfactory ‘yes’ and each has a flue combustion reading with the report?

It’s just a plywood formed box (open at bottom) so probably easy enough to cut out section immediately above boiler.

Thanks
 
Just to clarify flue, as only just seen later comments, it’s a top flue from boiler and then bend so horizontal through wall (just pulled out manual if that makes sense). It’s an ideal icon model.

Thanks for feedback, can’t believe it’s taken the 6th engineer to enlighten us.

Cheers
 
Boiler service means different things to different engineers

To some sticking a flue gas analyser in the flue or in the test point is deemed ( incorrectly) as a service. That is what you seem to be getting to date.

The manual suggests what a service constitutes. When you see that done, you then realise what you have been getting prioviouly has been a joke.

Putting a sticker on the boiler saying do not use? Well the guy needs to exercise a little engineering thinking.
 
ianmcd said:
nd know nothing about boilers please leave the advise to those that do,
Click to expand...

It was not advice, it was a suggestion that it might have been a rear entry boiler. A person who is not GasSafe registered can still know more than nothing about boilers. How many people who design new boilers are GasSafe registered ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top