Occassional slight smell of gas with boiler...

keystone

Yes there could be a slight release of gas from the burner just before it ignites like a hob BUT it could also be a leak on the gas valve so it really DOES need checking out.

Cheers

Mr_Ted

southcoastrgi wrote: »

you laugh, the detectors NG use have a flame inside them

:rotfl:.........................................

Mr_Ted

southcoastrgi wrote: »

i'm not sure how it works but i know i nearly ran out the door when he showed up with it to test a leaking meter

:rotfl:.....................................

Do you really think that a proffesional would use, or do something that is dangerous :eek: or equipment that is not registered as safe and fit for purpose :T

keystone

Don't see why that's funny TBH. It'll be the Davy Lamp principle.

Cheers

Avoriaz

keystone wrote: »

Don't see why that's funny TBH. It'll be the Davy Lamp principle.

Cheers

Interesting. :beer:

I had heard of the Davy Lamp but knew nothing much about it.

From Wiki (yes, I know)

Gas detection

The lamp also provided a test for the presence of gases. If flammable gas mixtures were present, the flame of the Davy lamp burned higher with a blue tinge.

Mr_Ted

keystone wrote: »

Yes there could be a slight release of gas from the burner just before it ignites like a hob BUT it could also be a leak on the gas valve so it really DOES need checking out.

Correct it does need checking out, but the crystal balls are in play again!
No one has asked if it is an open flued or room sealed appliance?
Age, make, model?
Permanent pilot, spark ignition?

If its an open flued boiler it is likely to be a permanent pilot which ignites the main burner, and when the supply to the main burner is activated there is a fairly sustantial amount of gas released into the boiler which has to be ignited!
Until it is fully ignited there will be a small amount of unburnt gas emmitted, whick due to the fact that on 1st ignition it is an explosive effect that actually takes place which causes an increased pressure within the combustion chamber, and also the fact that a cold flue also does not fully give the venting to atmosphere required initially, there is always the possibility of a minut amount of unburnt gas into the room, via the draught diverter usually but also possible through the viewing opening, and into the room!
This is perfectly normal and inconsequential normally!
An exception being if the slow ignition function, which allows the slow release of gas to the main burner increasing to full flow, that is actived by the gas valve that controls the flow of gas to the main burner is faulty, in which case to much gas is initially released and a more explosive effect on ignition takes place, hence being more forceful it can emit more unburnt gas into the room!
This can usually be identified as the boiler will light with a louder bang, in effect!

If the boiler is room sealed you should NOT get any gas smell on ignition!
Although there are occasions when with the right/wrong wind and weather conditions, or an incorrectly positioned flue termination, and an open window or door, that the same initial unburnt gas from ignition is emmitted from the flue terminal and can waft into the room!

Basically more info needed to save the crystal balls and consequential checking to see exactly what conditions apply accordingly?

Mr_Ted

keystone wrote: »

Don't see why that's funny TBH. It'll be the Davy Lamp principle.

Cheers

its the scare mongering and fear factor that I find amusing from a competant RGI?

Not that its not something I havent experienced before, until they fully understand, or have experience?

When they have experienced the principals of ignition and explosive conditions in a controled environment with a fully qualified tutor and an appropriate test bed that demonstrates the facts, or undergo a full gas apprenticeship which deals with the technicalities, in detail, do they understand GAS ENGINEERING and COMBUSTION fully!

Thats where a 5 year apprenticeship rather than a week training for a certificate have their advantages!

Jeez what would some people do if they even saw a 5Mw boiler, OH i know, seen it, RUN :rotfl:

Avoriaz

Do I detect a certain history here?

Mr_Ted

Avoriaz wrote: »

Do I detect a certain history here?

Unfortunately the lack of education of modern day qualification rather than history, although history on my part as i DID have the correct and full education

Here is the simplest explanation of how an "Explosimeter" works http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explosimeter and it is an Analayser of an atmosphere containing gaseous vapours according to the calibrated gases it is set to detect!
However a qualified and experienced user is needed to equate what the parameters of "the LEL(lower explosive limit)" is, as it is a percentage of a percentage detected by the test result that determines the required action.

Only a qualified user "knows that" and I am not going to give that information to the unqualified!

A competant RGI should have "no fear" in the use of such equipment that has been around for enough time to have a proven use, how ever an Explosimeter only indicate the level of gas found in the samples it test, it doesnt indicate directly where it comes from, only that it is in the viscinity!
This equipment is often misdescribed as a "leak Detector", but it only detects gas in a viscinity, not the actual location or physical cause of the leak, that has to be done with a fluid that will bubble up where the gas is escaping from, much as you would find when repairing a puncture!

southcoastrgi

oh of course i forgot that some old gits don't have a sense of humour, so you laugh when i said about it & then post the above which confirms what i said, it is the first time i'd seen one & just for your info i did do a full aprentiship & that was 27 years ago & no before you ask it wasn't with BG, of course things have moved on from when you were taught using a bird in a cage