Boiler in kitchen cupboard

vodkawitch

About 3 years ago I had a new kitchen fitted by a local company. They fitted cupboards around the existing boiler. I have not had any problems with the boiler - up until now. ( I know I should have had it serviced but I didnt !).

I have a friend who is a gas engineer and when the boiler refused to fire up I called him up. Basically the cupboard was fitted so tightly round the boiler ( one side right next to the side of the cupboard, the bottom poking thro the bottom of the cupboard ( this is covered by the edging that goes round ) and the top a couple of centremetres from the top of the cupboard - so making it impossible to service or get at the boiler.

He has told me this illegal. What are my rights and what should I do. Doing anything with the cupboard will ruin the kitchen. I have phoned the kitchen company today who have taken a message and said the manager will get back to me ( pretty sure he wont ). I will go into the shop tomorrow, but obviously winter is here and I need this sorting HELP !

Meepster

Hmmm...sounds a bit shoddy to me. The sides are fine, there is no requirement to leave any space at either side, as it isn't required for ventilation. However, both the top and bottom should be left open to allow the air to circulate.

Usually a "boiler cabinet" is basically the sides and a door (with trim to match the rest of the kitchen) and is usually constructed out of seperate panels, so if it is ever needed to be removed, it isn't such a difficult task to achieve.

I'm not exactly sure exactly what can be done though, as it's there now and as you say, making any amendments could result in it looking awful. I guess you'll just have to speak to them and see what solutions they give you and them come back to us...

Steve_the_fitter

They should have either supplied a bigger custom carcass for it or panels and a bigger door for the fitter to custom a cabinet on site.

Canucklehead

=Meepster;48247311]Hmmm...sounds a bit shoddy to me. The sides are fine, there is no requirement to leave any space at either side, as it isn't required for ventilation. However, both the top and bottom should be left open to allow the air to circulate.

Unless you've actually seen this kitchen how can you possibly say it's ok for ventilation?



OP should consult the boiler manufacturers installation instructions as to clearance. It's possible it's not a condensing boiler and will require greater ventilation/clearance.

If the unit was fitted over an existing boiler then dismantle in reverse order.If it's too close to the boiler then it will have to stay off.

I doubt a kitchen fitting company will be very interested in revisiting a 3 year old job.

As I see it you can take the unit down and get the boiler fixed or you can wait an indefinite time in a cold house on the offchance someone will deal with it.


GSR

Meepster

Canucklehead wrote: »

Unless you've actually seen this kitchen how can you possibly say it's ok for ventilation?

I didn't say it's ok for ventilation, I said the side panels being right up to the sides of the boiler wouldn't cause an issue with ventilation. It's the top and bottom of the boiler being covered that can cause a problem.

I'm yet to encounted a wall mounted boiler (which I am presuming this one is) that requires venting at the sides...

ziggyman99

Meepster wrote: »

I'm yet to encounted a wall mounted boiler (which I am presuming this one is) that requires venting at the sides...

But there are boilers that require side access. Some boilers require side access to get to components and I know one Biasi that has screws down the side to release the combustion chamber cover. I've been to 2 of those that didn't have sufficient clearance. One I managed to get the screws out with a screwdriver bit held in a pair of pliers and the other one, a service, I couldn't do

Canucklehead

Meepster wrote: »

Hmmm...sounds a bit shoddy to me. The sides are fine, there is no requirement to leave any space at either side, as it isn't required for ventilation. However, both the top and bottom should be left open to allow the air to circulate.

Ok I'll rephrase that.

How can you possibly say the it's 'fine' as you haven't seen the kitchen in question have you? For all you know it's a conventional flued boiler.

Yes there is a requirement for side ventilation ,a minimum of 5mm on a condensing boiler never mind a non condensing one.

Perhaps the OP could tell us the make and model of boiler.



GSR

vodkawitch

Thank you for your replies.

It's a Prima F Potterton boiler, it was in the house when I bought it and unfortunately I do not have the instruction manual.

Canucklehead

Hi...brilliant boiler...fit one for my best mate in 1995, gave it a service last month and it should go on for a few more years. The manual is available here. (just click on continue and follow through to Potterton etc)
Has the overheat stat popped out? You'll see a little pink button under the boiler...push firmly to reset.

GSR