Old boiler doesn't conform to current safety standards?

Quislibet

Hi all!

I am renting a flat through a letting agency and just had a look at the gas safety records.

The first letter we found was an advice notice dated 02/06/2008. From the advice notice we learned that the boiler is "not to current standards". It is operating safely and does not present a gas safety hazard but it is recommended to upgrade the installation.

We also found a BG Homecare checklist with the same date. From the safety check list two boxes were ticked as NO: appliance conforms to current safety standards and appliance/boiler flueing is correct.

In findings and advice list the following boxes were ticked: appliance parts may not be available, system update, appliance replacement, carbon monoxide alarm. In the comment box the engineer wrote " Recommend new boiler". Current boiler efficiency rating is Low (G) below 60%.

Just after we moved in in September 2009 a CO alarm was fitted but no mention about a boiler upgrade.


The last gas safety check was done on 28/05/2009 and the "Appliance Safe" box was marked as "No". Requested to test "Yes". Details of any defects: PRV termination, an advice notice was left for landlord. We couldn't find the notice left on that date or any further maintenance notes.

So as far as I am concerned the boiler is not safe at the moment?!? :eek:

I understand from the previous letters that the boiler is safe and replacing it is still a recommendation. My question is how should I follow up the last safety check and do we have grounds to request a boiler upgrade from the letting agent/landlord?

Our contract is due to be renewed in March but we have already let the LL and LA know that we are looking to stay in the flat for at least 3 years and have agreed to renew the contract. Now we have no plans to move again and the boiler has not let us down but we would really appreciate an upgrade.

The boiler model is Sprint 80F and the appliance is about 20 years old.

Any advice?

theartfullodger

Write (write, even if you 'phone, write) to Landlord, copy agent, (keep copy) with all this info and invite Landlord to take action to ensure you have a safe boiler and effective and to advise you of his actions by some date..

If you get no sensible response by that date write again, this time copying local council environmental health dept.

If you really think the think is unsafe turn it off if you haven't already! (being cold strikes me as a better option than being dead..) Whilst an upgrade to a more efficient boiler would be good, the key issue I think is safety.

Cheers!

Lodger

Quislibet

Thanks for your advice Lodger! I will put it all in writing and send it recorded delivery on Monday.

prudryden

If the PRV termination is not quite right, does that neccessarily mean the boiler is unsafe? If the boiler was unsafe, shouldn't the inspector have turned it off and put a big yellow sticky on it? Certainly write to the LL/agent to have them correct the PRV termination or at least find out why the inspector doesn't like it.

roses

Hi, "not to current standard" does not mean it has not passed the safety check. I had this in my first rented house as the cooker did not have automatic ignition, it needed a lighter.

As long as the certificate does not have the words FAIL or UNSAFE on it then you're fine.

eamon

BG will routingly made advisaries against any appliciances that do not meet current regs. As to what they expect home owners or landlords to do about it is a different matter. However you should be pushing your landlord to keep on top of property maintenance issue. The boiler being one of those.

clutton_2

if you have had a CO2 monitor since September and it has not gone off, and you have kept the batteries up to date, then i suggest that you are not at risk - but i would call either the gas engineer who did the inspection, or GASSAFE and ask them the meaning of this termination defect and ask about is implications

anselld

PRV (pressure relief valve) termination vents pressurised hot water to protect the system under fault contitions. Implications are that under fault condition the boiler may either
(a) fail to vent properly (not good!)
(b) vent boiling water somewhere it shouldn't be (not good either)

Definately needs fixing, though not necessarily with a new boiler.

clutton_2

i have had several "notices" on some of my gas appliances including boilers, and not all defects are dangerous......

jack_spratt_2

I am not commenting on your personal situation but the phrase not to current gas
safety standards is one they use every year( by British Gas) on my Baxi boiler and it is explained to me that when the house was built it conformed to the then building regulation safety standards but now it does not !!It does not make it unsafe and I am sure they would not leave the property without putting a notice on it saying unsafe to use and try to sell me a new boiler .
This is not a one off heating system but one which was designed with cooperation from British Gas to the best system and installation at the time .
Many things which are in your property would not now meet current building regulations but did so when built

Quislibet

Just thought I'd let you know what's happening

We called the agency and they arranged an engineer to attend today. The boiler had just started leaking as well. Not much but we keep finding a puddle under the boiler in the mornings and when we come home from work. The engineer called the boiler antique and said the spares are not available since 1989

He added that repairing this boiler is impossible and due to the leak it would have to be replaced ASAP. Landlord is just being notified. They will get a couple of quotes and and let us know. :T

Thanks for your advice everyone!