Advice about 'condemned' boiler

Willow147

We have just had British Gas round doing the annual service on our boiler as part of the 3 star service contract we have.

The boiler is fine but they have had to shut it down saying that they can't see the full ventilation path. The air vent is right next to the boiler, goes through a large pipe into the roof space and the pipe ends at a special roof tile specific for the job.

The ventilation system was put in when an extension was added to the house and met all regualtions when is was done about 4 years ago.

We have 2 choices, pay to have air bricks fitted into an external wall and internal doors or have a new boiler (which would probably be done within a few years anyway).

Apparently this new regulation came in November 2005. Does anyone know of this regualtion, is the Gas Board person being a bit jobsworth? I appreciate that it is for health and safety but they have not had a problem with the setup for the last 4 years (or even the 15+ years prior to that before the new vent system went in).

What adds to my annoyance is that they can send someone tomorrow to fit the airbricks but can't send a technical advisor to discuss the situation (re. new boiler, air brick etc) for another 2.5 weeks. So when it comes to getting money they have free staff!!

Thanks for any advice

Willow

oldwiring

Folk say that BG is very adept at the condemnation game. I'd say get a good independent in!

paul_h

oldwiring wrote:

Folk say that BG is very adept at the condemnation game.

Oh yes.;)

As oldwiring says - get an independent in to certify your installation - new regulations are not normally applied retrospectively.

When the independant has reasssured you that your installation is fine, ring BG about cancelling your contract...

Willow147

Hopefully today the wife is organising for a couple of independents to visit, should make for interesting meetings.

I'm in the process of moving my Gas supply away fro BG, maybe I need to get an independent to do the service contract as well.

Cardew

I find BG's position with the OP strange.

I have BG Homecare for 2 systems.

My main boiler is in an outhouse - a purpose built boiler room. BG fitted an airbrick free of charge. This boiler vents through the garage roof and they have informed me that it doesn't meet latest standards but will not need changing until a new boiler is installed.

The combi boiler in an annex is again in a very small boiler room. They have served a notice on me for years that it didn't meet the latest ventilation standard - I needed vents in the door - but all they needed to do was warn me. When the regulations changed last year they told me that they were not now allowed to 'service' this system unless I had vents fitted. So they came and fitted them, again free of charge.

Paul_h states that these regulations are not normally enforced retrospectively; and indeed that was the case. However I understand from my conversation with BG that the new regulations do not allow them that discretion for certain non-compliances.

I appreciate that it is always 'open season' on this forum to have a go at BG for any reason. However I think we should be wary in this case of condemming them because it is probable that BG have no option but to apply the new Government rules.

oldwiring

cardew, I take your point despite my earlier post. NOnetheless a second opinion never harms.