Vent draught in lounge

brum_rich

I have a vent located in my lounge about 3 feet away from my gas fire. There is a metal grill on the vent which slides open/closed. Behind it is a plastic chamber which connects to a plastic grill on the outside of my house. Now the weather is getting cold I have noticed that it lets in a draught (even when closed). Is there any reason this would have been installed by the builder (house is 7 years old). I am tempted to block it up both ends to stop the draughts. Other option would be to fit a better grill in lounge (current one isn't sealed/flush to the wall) to stop the cold air coming in.

Can anybody recommend a solution to this problem? And where I can get the appropriate parts for the job?

Thanks

Errata

I've been told a vent in a room that has a gas fire is a legal requirement.
Some people stuff an old jumper in the 'plastic chamber' to stop the draught.

timnicebutdim_2

The vents are installed to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning :eek: They also help prevent condensation problems.

More info from Health and Safety executive here:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/co.htm

27col

The draught that you mention is an indication that the vent is doing exactly what it was intended to do.
It seems to me that the vent should have been installed closer to the front of the fire. Unless there was some physical reason that it could not be. If you have a wooden floor then it would be a good idea to fit a vent in the floor near to the fire. This would have the added advantage that it would produce a substantial movement of air under the floor. Thus helping to prevent dry rot. If you have a solid floor, then obviously this is not an option.
But in any event, you must have a fresh air vent for your own safety, and to comply with the law. I am sure a builders merchant would be able to advise on materials for a new vent. Or, why not ask at a specialist fireplace shop. If they do not know, then they ought to!

Suzy_M

You can get cowls / vent covers to put over outside air bricks. These still allow air to circulate but reduce the effect of the direct draughts hitting the outside of the wall.

Canucklehead

brum_rich;discussion/1214185]I have a vent located in my lounge about 3 feet away from my gas fire. There is a metal grill on the vent which slides open/closed. Behind it is a plastic chamber which connects to a plastic grill on the outside of my house. Now the weather is getting cold I have noticed that it lets in a draught (even when closed). Is there any reason this would have been installed by the builder (house is 7 years old). I am tempted to block it up both ends to stop the draughts. Other option would be to fit a better grill in lounge (current one isn't sealed/flush to the wall) to stop the cold air coming in.

Can anybody recommend a solution to this problem? And where I can get the appropriate parts for the job?

Hi
If your fire hides a back boiler you must have ventilation. You MAY not need it for a gas fire alone. Consult a Corgi (with' gas fires' as listed on the back of his ID card)

Stadium Black Hole. (not Wembley:rolleyes:) is one solution.
http://www.limestonefires.com/vents.html


Corgi Guy.

jackieb

We used to have a back boiler and it got serviced every year. Twice they put in a bigger vent because of revised safety regulations. It used to be freezing depending on which way the wind was blowing. Mine used to be in a bay window. I put a 2 seater about a foot in front of it. We still used to get a terrible draught under the sofa though, even though we did have a big cowl/cover on the outside. I sometimes put a draught excluder in front of my sofa - used to stop the draught a bit. I would never have blocked up the vent though.