What are current gas fire flue standards?

CGORST

In 1999, my house had the chimney stack removed. All the internal bits are still there, it's the bit above the roofline that has gone. The chimney was lined and a metal flue pipe was put where the stack used to be. We have always had gas fires and everything worked fine.

Last year, I had my boiler serviced and the man that came looked at my old gas fires and condemned them as they were very old. Last week I decided I couldn't stand another winter without a fire (even though I have central heating) so I went to buy a fire.

Today, the gas man came round to check my fireplace was suitable for a gas fire. He was at my house for about 4 seconds because he looked at the flue sticking out of the roof and said "you can't have a gas fire because your flue isn't up to current standards".

Does anybody know what the current standards are and how they differ from the standards in 1999? I don't think I can afford to run an electric fire and as much as I would love to have a new chimney or flue, I don't think there is much chance of me being able to afford that either unless I win the Euromillions tonight!

I have looked on google to see if there is anything about current flue standards but I can't see anything. I only want to know out of interest really as there isn't much I can do about it!!

rustyboy21

It could be something to do with the height that the flue terminal is at, in relation to the height of the apex of the roof.

If you look at most houses with chimney stacks and pots, they are built , so they are higher than the roof height , to enable air to pass over the top, to create the draw for the flue.

If you have had the stack taken down and they have fitted a metal flue instead, then it could be that it is not high enough and would restrict the draw.

If you could get a photo of what you have fitted on the roof, one of the RGI guys on here may be able to help. The regs can be confusing to people at times and what you may think is ok, is infact against regs and unsuitable.

If the flue liner you have had fitted, is sealed correctly into the fire chamber, has been fed through the upstairs bedroom and has ( I am almost certain ) been changed to rigid twin walled flue pipe in your loft and continues as twin walled through your slates and ends as a gas cowl, higher than your roof height, then as long as the right diameter liner has been fitted, you can choose a class 2 ( prefabricated/ precast ) suitable gas fire.

As mentioned already, take a photo, post it on here and let the boys have a look.

Alternatively go into a fireplace showroom and ask them to check it out for you. They may charge, but they will be more au fait with if it is to regs.

Who was the gas man you got out? was he a one off installer, or from a fireplace showroom? You may be asking someone, who doesn't fit fires often, so is not up to scratch with flues. Also was it BG who condemmed your fires? That is their usual course of action.

diywhynot

Part J Building Regulations.

rustyboy21

Unless you are an expert on deciphering HSE regs, then I would do as I suggested above.

Get a fireplace showroom out and let them look at the flue in situ, then they will be able to state what can or cannot be fitted.

Kiran

Building Reg not HSE guidance, but yes getting out someone to look at it and price will be the best way as you can employ them to do the job and therefore aren't financially at risk of shelling out on a new fire you can not use.

gas4you

Could just be the chimney pot terminal is not allowed any more.

There are only certain ones that can be used with a gas fire.

CGORST

Sorry everybody - I've been offline since posting this. 2012 is definitely the year of things breaking for me!! Thanks for all your replies. I think I am going to ask an expert to come out and inspect everything. The flue liner is a single walled corrugated type thing. I can't view any of it apart from the bit that is in the fireplace because the rest of it is in the chimney breast, all the way up to the roof!

Thanks again for all your advice. I will try and take a photo - when it has stopped blowing a gale outside and attempt to post it on here when I have done it!