Boxing off a boiler - EU regs?

TigerLily_3-2

Hi all

I am currently having a new bathroom installed and my fitter is going to box off the boiler for me. What do I need to check to ensure it is EU compliant? Any non-techhy websites out there? Have had a look on google but didn't come up with much. Any advice appreciated!

shelly

Our boiler is in our kitchen and when we got a new kitchen fitted we boxed our boiler in too.Don't know if there are any regs for doing this as we didn't look into it.All hubby done was got a carcass a bit bigger than the boiler so as to ensure freeflow of air and he didn't put a top on it either but you can't notice that from the floor.Hope this helps.

;D ;D ;D

trafalgar_2

There is actually some daft rule that says you have to have a vent of a certain size in the 'cupboard' for ventilation for a GAS BOILER...even if it has no top ::)

I know this as I have just had my service check done and I have mine in a 'cupboard' with no top or bottom ;D

and was told that strictly speaking it now fails the EU directive..because it HAS to have a ventilation grill ;D
How mad is that ::)

Haggis_n_Neeps

WARNING Semi-technical reply - may bore you!
Firstly, I must state that I am not a Gas fitter, but I am involved in the inspection of buildings and heating installations and have been for 18 yrs (what?, have I really been working for that long? feels like I left school only a few years ago!!)

I do know that ventilation is normally required in such instances. How much ventilation is required to the boiler compartment depends on what type of boiler is being enclosed ie. is it an open flue boiler or a room sealed boiler? The only exception is if the manufacturer has tested the boiler in unventilated cupboards/compartments and has certification for its use in such situations. Most boilers have not been tested this way and require ventilation.

Open flue boilers take the air for combustion from the room/cupboard, burns it with the fuel (gas or oil), then exhausts the combustion gasses through the flue to outside (the exhaust flue can be fan assisted). Therefore if it's in a cupboard, I'm sure you will appreciate the need for ventilation.

Room sealed boilers usually have a 2 pipe flue (one smaller central pipe within the larger outer pipe). Air is drawn in for combustion from the outside of the building along the gap between the outer & inner pipe. The exhaust is expelled to the outside through the inner pipe. The exhaust is often fan assisted. Therefore air is not required to this boiler from inside the house for combustion purposes. But, even when such a boiler (a room sealed one) is installed, if it is fitted within a cupboard it requires an air supply around it for cooling purposes. This is because heat from the combustion process will build up within the cupboard and it needs to be removed so that the boiler can function properly. This heat is removed by ventilation. How much ventilation is required in such instances depends on the boilers input rating. The larger the boiler the more ventilation is required to remove the heat. Vents are required at high & low level.

For those still awake!, and have further interest in this, British Standard BS5440: Part 2:2000 gives the appropriate information and further information relating to gas boilers.

Service companies, such as British Gas, when doing an annual check should fail the installation if adequate ventilation has not been provided (besides they are usually on the look out for more fee earning work).

Hope this info helps. As with all things domestic gas, before doing anything make sure you have the correct advice, and do not work on the boiler or gas pipework unless you are competent AND have appropriate qualifications (eg approved by CORGI).

TigerLily_3-2

Wow! Thanks for that very informative reply. I will print it off and hand it to the bathroom fitter!

Thanks again.

Haggis_n_Neeps

TigerLily, your most welcome

Gaz_Hammer

Hi Tiger Lily,
The advice given by 'Haggis_n_Neeps' in regards of the "BS5440 part2" is quite correct.
However not all room sealed boilers require ventilation provided certain compartment clearances are met from the appliance.
Please take care when enclosing a boiler as it may cause it to then be deemed unsafe to use if not done correctly.
For any information regarding this, one should always refer to the manufacturers installation instructions which will indicate all necessary ventilation requirements and clearances. You should have a copy of these instructions, if not, then contact the makers with the model details and they will probably send you a copy, providing the boiler is not too old.

Hope this helps further.
Gaz