Earth Bonding on boiler?

madmish00

Just got our structural survey back and quite relieved that the property seems to be generally OK.

One thing that has come up that I don't fully understand:

"It was noted that the service pipework to the boiler has not been Earth Bonded in accordance with current regulations."

From a bit of googling this seems like something quite important that should have been done when the current owners had the new boiler fitted (not sure when this was but within last 5 years)

As it is a bank holiday weekend and I can't really start ringing round electricians - does anyone have any idea how much it would cost to get this rectified? And if it is something I should worry about getting sorted before exchange or after.

Thanks

G_M

An earth wire from the boiler to a pipe? 10 minutes work? £30?

Thousands of homes aren't to 'current regulations', which change regularly. Nobody upgrades. The important thing is when work is done (ie the new boiler) it meets the 'current regulations' at that time. Does it? You should have a Buildings Regs certificate issued either by the council or the GasSafe (Corgi?) engineer who insalled it.

gasmanmartin

as above .. not a big deal don't worry about it

madmish00

Thanks for the replies!

Gas/Electrics is one thing I'm not too technical on and so trying to work out what was/wasn't required when looking on google was impossible.

My solicitor is still waiting for a load of paperwork about the property so hopefully the Building Regs certificate will be in that.

birkee

If you get a short circuit in the boiler, it means the boiler can become live, and give you a electrical shock. If the boiler is 'earthed', then the boiler will short to earth and blow the fuse or trip the circuit breaker.

No panic, the type of electrical fault descibed is VERY unlikely anyway, so get the job done when you can. Should be done though.

DVardysShadow

birkee wrote: »

If you get a short circuit in the boiler, it means the boiler can become live, and give you a electrical shock. If the boiler is 'earthed', then the boiler will short to earth and blow the fuse or trip the circuit breaker.

No panic, the type of electrical fault descibed is VERY unlikely anyway, so get the job done when you can. Should be done though.

If the boiler is not electrically bonded and you grab the boiler with one hand while touching other metalwork, you could make yourself the earth return path.

Although the fault is unlikely, the problem is that without correct earthing and bonding, the fault can remain active for decades. So what appears to be a very remote event [eg once in 100 years] can turn out to be an alarming percentage of boilers [10% of boilers aged 10 years].

birkee

DVardysShadow wrote: »

If the boiler is not electrically bonded and you grab the boiler with one hand while touching other metalwork, you could make yourself the earth return path.

Although the fault is unlikely, the problem is that without correct earthing and bonding, the fault can remain active for decades. So what appears to be a very remote event [eg once in 100 years] can turn out to be an alarming percentage of boilers [10% of boilers aged 10 years].

You don't need to touch other metalwork, you can get a circuit to the floor, depending on it's nature.
If you dont believe me, stick the fingers of one hand in the light socket.

And I did say, 'there is no panic, but it SHOULD be done'!

keystone

madmish00 wrote: »

Just got our structural survey back and quite relieved that the property seems to be generally OK.

Have you had a FULL buildings survey or was it a house buyers report?

One thing that has come up that I don't fully understand:

"It was noted that the service pipework to the boiler has not been Earth Bonded in accordance with current regulations."

You have to understand that you will come across statements like this all over survey reports especially house buyers reports. They are CYA statements from the surveyor who just doesn't want any comeback on him at a later date. They need taking with a pinch of salt.

From a bit of googling this seems like something quite important that should have been done when the current owners had the new boiler fitted (not sure when this was but within last 5 years)

The reality of this situation is as follows:

1. The boiler should have been installed iaw the regulations in force at the time it was installed. Current regs don't come into it unless it was installed under current regs. Thats the first clue that he's applying the CYA principal.

2. The boiler should have been installed by a CORGI registered RGI up to April 2009 and if after April 2009 he would be GasSafe registered. Both of which are competant person schemes allowing the installer to self certify that the installation was to regulations.

3. The boiler should have been installed according to MIs.

4. The installing engineer would (should) have completed all the necessary tests and documentation which would the have resulted in the appropriate certificates that the boiler was installed correctly.

The vendor is under an obligation to provide all such documentation which should also include the service history.

Yes you should get this paperwork before exchange.

Don't worry about it this weekend. Deal with it on Tuesday.

You then have to decide if the paperwork is adequate or whether you waant to have your own tests/inspections performed.

Cheers

keystone

birkee wrote: »

You don't need to touch other metalwork, you can get a circuit to the floor, depending on it's nature.
If you dont believe me, stick the fingers of one hand in the light socket.

And I did say, 'there is no panic, but it SHOULD be done'!

You need to understand the difference between earthing and bonding - they are not the same.

Cheers

DVardysShadow

birkee wrote: »

... You don't need to touch other metalwork, you can get a circuit to the floor, depending on it's nature.
If you dont believe me, stick the fingers of one hand in the light socket.

Of course I believe you. Your scenario requires earthing. I was offering the explanation for bonding, which is sometimes a more difficult concept for the non technical to grasp.

pararct

Largely irrelevant today, more and more houses are going over to plastic pipework on the internal runs. Your mains supply could also be plastic or a similair tough material. These materials will not conduct electricity in any case = no benefit from an earthing cable.
Surveyors will include it in their reports as it gives them a little fluff to fill them out with....