Is the position of this flue safe?

[reb78]

We have some cottages on the land we have just bought. The boilers were all installed by the previous owners. Obviously everything needs to be safe. I am worried about the proximity of this boiler to the window (it is openable although i have locked it shut). They aren't being rented out at the moment and things like this need to be sorted before they are. I am wondering if the flue needs extending up above the gutter level (the buildings are single storey). The boilers are Grant oil boilers (90/110 I think). There are two others, but they are away from openings like this. There is a CO alarm in the room behind the window, but should it have been installed differently?

Pics tell the rest of the story:

 

[gaz1]

its overgrown for start off wants good access to free air will help considerably

as goes for opening window if in doubt dont open it

thats the choice id be making

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

No.
300 above to 600mm to the side of window from memory.

 

[Parm]

An inspection by a gas safe registered engineer will give you all the answers you need

 

[julianf]

Looks too close to me, but all the clearence distances are listed in the building regs pdfs, with easy diagrams etc.

 

[fizzy]

I saw this recently. Student accommodation. Inspected by a gas safe engineer. Mate's niece renting room in middle. That is her bedroom. She sleeps with the window open!!!

 

[Turbo]

To start with all that shrubbery around the boiler is a fire risk as well as restricting the air flow. Not sure on the regs for a flue but for an oil boiler it normally needs to go above roof height to get a decent draw.

 

[waddycall]

Minimum of 600 below and 600 to the side of opening. Too close for my liking. The plants need to be kept clear for airflow and access for servicing. Can’t have been serviced for years.

 

[Rig Pig]

An inspection by a gas safe registered engineer will give you all the answers you need

I think that Grant is oil, but I agree with the sentiment!

Building regs give very clear drawing of allowable flue locations so do Grant in there installation manual.

 

[hunter27]

With gas appliances the manufacturers instructions that come with the appliance trumps everything else. I guess the same applies to oil?
Pete

 

[julianf]

It really wasn't hard to find this -

I just googled "grant flue clearence"
Its just a copy (more or less) of the diagram in the buildings regs.

This stuff really isn't rocket science. The numbers are all there.

 

[fizzy]

So 60cm from a window is fine? What if the boiler release CO?

 

[julianf]

I'm installing one at present. I cut the flue through at an approved point, and could smell the boiler in the house when it fired up.

Only lasted a couple of days in that "accepted" position.

 

[julianf]

As a side note, it's the L dimension that I'm struggling with.

I mean you can have the terminal comming out on the wall (ie D in the first picture - so zero clearence) but the moment the plume is directed up, you suddenly need 750mm.

Im guessing it's to stop condensation on the outside of the wall? I'm wondering if I put a 90 bend in the L position, if I then get D clearence option.

Of course the BC inspector trumps all these documents anyway, and in my experience of getting solid fuel appliances signed off, it seem like I cared more about the distances than they did - which may have been the case with the OPs original install / sign off.

 

[fizzy]

I'm installing one at present. I cut the flue through at an approved point, and could smell the boiler in the house when it fired up.

Only lasted a couple of days in that "accepted" position.

So once again as long as you tick the correct boxes you are fine

You used common sense - just doesnt seem to apply any more with most people!

 

[waddycall]

As a side note, it's the L dimension that I'm struggling with.

I mean you can have the terminal comming out on the wall (ie D in the first picture - so zero clearence) but the moment the plume is directed up, you suddenly need 750mm.

Im guessing it's to stop condensation on the outside of the wall? I'm wondering if I put a 90 bend in the L position, if I then get D clearence option.

Of course the BC inspector trumps all these documents anyway, and in my experience of getting solid fuel appliances signed off, it seem like I cared more about the distances than they did - which may have been the case with the OPs original install / sign off.

The difference in the positions for wall and roof terminals is due to the design on the terminals and the need to maintain relatively even pressures over inlet and outlet and the need to limit recirculation I think.
Did some design work on balanced flues a few years ago. Lots and lots of testing involved.

 

[julianf]

The difference in the positions for wall and roof terminals is due to the design on the terminals and the need to maintain relatively even pressures over inlet and outlet and the need to limit recirculation I think.
Did some design work on balanced flues a few years ago. Lots and lots of testing involved.

Thank you.

I actually have both kits here. So i have one of these -

and one of these - (sorry about the size)

But the place where im installing the unit has no side wall near the appliance.

But its also a single story, with 2 story going up on the same wall.

Just like position "L" on the diagram.

So, to use the first terminal, id need to put two angles on the flue to bring it forwards, away from the wall (where the boiler is to be sat, the back of the appliance is (pretty much) right next to the wall - like they normally are)

750mm is more than the depth of the appliance, so i need to bring the flue so far forwards its crazy!


Or i use the second type of terminal, stick it up through the roof, and point it away from the wall. But ive never seen that done, so i dont really know if its acceptable.



(thread hijack, i know.... but the op has their answer in the documents posted - i hope!)

 

[reb78]

(thread hijack, i know.... but the op has their answer in the documents posted - i hope!)

I don't mind. Its partly what I like about the forum as it's all interesting discussion. I will look to getting the flue altered on my boiler. I wonder if there is the possibility to come straight out of the top of the unit and up like a chimney with a top you like you show on your post above. Otherwise it will need three 90 degree bends to get it to the point it can go up without running right in line with the window!

 

[julianf]

You can get all the bits from Grant, but im sure they make more money from the flue than they do from the boilers...

What about just turning it round on the same slab? I mean, i feel that any of those flues are a bit close for my liking, but if you point it the other way, it will certainly be better than how it is at present.

 

[Parm]

Also if your renting out there will be landlord duties too

Much cheaper to get an expert to have a look at the situation