Anybody got their boiler in an airing cupboard?

loulou41

I just read you cannot use your airing cupboard to store linen etc if you have boiler installed there. Is this correct? I am having one installed there and intend to continue using it to store stuffs otherwise it will be a waste of space.

Mojisola

We have ours in an airing cupboard. There has to be a certain clearance all round and a cage to stop stuff falling onto the boiler.

ormus

ours is inside a wardrobe in the bedroom.

ziggyman99

BS 6798 states:

5.3.1 General
The space around the boiler shall be at least the minimum specified in the manufacturer’s installation
instructions.
The floor or wall on which the boiler is to be mounted shall be protected as detailed in the manufacturer’s
instructions.
COMMENTARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON 5.3.1
The space around the boiler should be adequate:
a) to ensure sufficient air circulation for any draught diverter to operate;
b) to ensure sufficient air for combustion and cooling;
c) for maintenance and servicing.

5.3.2 Boiler compartment installations
5.3.2.1 The boiler compartment shall be a fixed rigid structure, the internal surfaces of which conform to
the boiler installation instructions.
COMMENTARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON 5.3.2.1
If the boiler manufacturer’s installation instructions do not give specific advice, then any internal surface of
the boiler compartment which is of combustible material should either be at least 75 mm from any part of
the boiler or should be lined with non-combustible material. Methods of determining whether a material
may be described as combustible or non-combustible are given in BS 476-22. For further advice, see HSE
publication Safety in the installation and use of gas systems and appliances [8].
5.3.2.2 The compartment shall incorporate air vents for cooling and, where necessary, to provide air for
combustion and correct operation of the flue (see 5.1 and 5.2).
5.3.2.3 The compartment shall permit access for inspection and servicing of the boiler and any ancillary
equipment. A notice shall be fixed in a prominent position within the compartment to warn against its use
as a storage cupboard. The compartment shall be fitted with a door that will permit withdrawal of the boiler
and any ancillary equipment.

So in a word, no.

However, seperate the boiler and the storage areas by installing a solid shelf just below the boiler. Then it's 2 seperate compartments - job done.

Having said all that, most people ignore what the engineer tells them and piles it full of junk and clothes........:D

gas4you

Most manufacturers instructions state that a cupboard the boiler is in cannot be used as an airing cupboard, I also tell the customer this, but when I go back the next year to service the boiler, the customer has done so!

ziggyman99

Just got back from doing a quote on a boiler replacement in an airing cupboard. It was filled to the brim with junk. The existing boiler is shocking. Hot and cold water and flow and return pipes on flexis. And the best bit....she called someone out for a breakdown and he found the gas on a flexi! The person who installed it needs locking up.

loulou41

I did ask the sales adviser that I intend to use it store my used bed linen towels etc and he said yes. If I have known otherwise I would get it installed in one of the cupboard in the kitchen. The airing cupboard is very big esp as they will remove the water tank and it will be a waste of space. I also use it to put any junks out of the way. I will have to ask the engineer again when they come to do the installation. There will loads of space for the boiler, the cupboard is 70 ins long and 30 ins wide, the boiler is very slim, WB junior. I do not know where else I could put the junks. Thanks

liley9

hi we had our new combi boiler fitted last year into our airing cupboard when i asked if i could still store things in there the fitter told me it would be fine just dont store anything above the boiler just below.

ziggyman99

liley9 wrote: »

hi we had our new combi boiler fitted last year into our airing cupboard when i asked if i could still store things in there the fitter told me it would be fine just dont store anything above the boiler just below.

Unfortunately I doubt your fitter lays down the standards.

artha

When we had our bathroom extended we had a new boiler installed in a new full room height cupboard. The boiler is in the lower half of the cupboard and has 6-12 inches of clearance all round and nothing is stored in the lower half. I fitted a slatted shelf 6 inches above the top of the boiler and we use that to air clothes(e'g socks). I also fitted a hanging rail at the top of the cupboard to air a few clothes on hangers.

We still have the original airing cupboard with the hot water tank for the bulky items like towels.

I get the boiler serviced every year by a fully qualified and registered plumber (3 different ones over the last 10 years). None have any made any comments on the fact hat we use it as an airing cupboard.

I would guess that as long as there is plenty of unobstructed air space around the boiler and the upper and lower door vents aren't obstructed then some of the cupboard space can be used for airing