Change in flue regulations recently?

Roseybug

Hi,

I've got a quick question that I could do with knowing the answer to before my boiler man comes back this afternoon, if anyone's around, please?

Have there been any changes in the regulations for flue support in the last couple of months?

Background: Old Vaillant boiler, c. 1997, under service/maintenance agreement.

Oct 2014 - service - man said boiler old but has a few years in it yet, flue "inadequately supported" and "not to current standards" but safe (they have been saying this for years).

Dec 2014 (yesterday) - boiler still working but was losing pressure - needs new expansion valve, man coming back today to fit it. Yesterday, told me flue "inadequately supported", now "at risk", puts a yellow warning label on the boiler and switches it off. Presumably this will still be an issue when the boiler itself is repaired? Also tells me my boiler is 22 years old, they are going to start to struggle to get parts, arranges a visit for me next week for new boiler quote.

I am cynical.

I asked if the regulations regarding flues had changed recently, and he said they had, but I googled and couldn't find any changes.

I googled the manufacture of the boiler, and it's 1995-99, so he was adding a good few years onto the age of it.

I googled for spares for the expansion valve, and they were plentiful online.

I think he's going for the hard sell on a new boiler? I really can't afford one right now, although I know I'll probably have to in the next few years anyway.

Can anyone help please?

EmmyLou30

I hate when they give people the hard sel like this. If and when parts become impossible to find, then by all means replace the boiler. But until then, why bother?! Ok so it's old and less efficient but the payback time for a new one will be over half of its life and then you'll need another new one. Best to go on with an old one till it's beyond eceonomical repair and don't be bullied by the sales talk. My old Vailant lasted 20 years, never needed a single part, but when it finally went it was a part costing hundreds and labour costing just as much so I replaced the boiler.
Out of curiosity, what is wrong with the flue? Mine went up through the ceiling of the airing cupboard and out through the roof, didn't appear to be particularly well supported in any way but it was fine. It doesn't have to conform to modern regs so long as it's not about to collapse. Sounds like you're being conned to me.

firefox1956

If the Regulations have changed recently they will only apply to new installations not existing ones !!
I think you are been had here........
You have done your research & caught the guy out !!

SGM1

Regulations apply to all boilers not just new ones. New installs have to be fitted to them, existing ones are classified NTCS or At RIsk. They have changed recently and the flue should be properly supported, it may well be at risk but I wouldn't worry about it to much. Make sure you have a CO alarm. As its a vaillant you will be able to get the major parts for a good few years yet.

C_Mababejive

Bottom line, if the flue is clipped/supported in accordance with manufs instructions then it should be ok. Care needs to be taken with concentric flue assemblies especially on horizontal runs. There have been deaths caused by leaking seals/flues coming apart.

Ectophile

If the problem is a long horizontal run, then how hard can it be to add a support part way along?

bridgedino

Either cancel the new boiler quote or wait and see how it goes.

There may come a day when it breaks down and the required part can't be found, that's the day you need to think about. It might be next week or next year, in the height of summer or the middle of winter. At least you're armed with the knowledge that it's approaching 20yrs old and onto reduced parts. Manufacturers move on to producing and supporting their more modern boilers and therefor don't continue to supply all parts much after 5-15yrs so it may well need replacing sooner rather than later.

Don't forget that you're being supplied with advice on your boiler, you'd be well miffed if they hadn't told you anything at all. A flue may work just fine. It's also just as capable of killing you in your sleep if it's leaking products of combustion into your property. Make sure you get a CO alarm that's in date.

Just don't get led down any paths

Roseybug

Thanks everyone for your thoughts. I'm happy to continue using the boiler until it conks out, as I have a log burner in the lounge that we can make do with if the heating breaks down.


I'm not sure what exactly is wrong with the flue.


The October man looked into the roof space where the flue passes through, before declaring it inadequately supported and calling it not to current standards.


The December man didn't ask to look in the roof space. There is just a large pipe coming out of the top of the boiler, passing vertically through a ceiling into the roof space, and that's all he looked at before declaring it inadequately supported and calling it "at risk".


I'm going to get CO detectors (probably overdue anyway), but how many do I need and where should I place them? In the ground floor room where the boiler is? In the upstairs bedroom that's adjacent to the roof space where the flue passes through?


I was wondering about asking a "gas safe" independent person to come and have a look and advise. I don't want to be ripped off, but I don't want an unsafe house either. Any thoughts?

booty40uk

do you know the make and model of your boiler?

Roseybug

Vaillant Turbomax VUW 242E

bridgedino

Flues passing through a void must be able to be viewed for inspection otherwise a gas safe engineer may class it as At Risk

Flues supported at every change of direction

Any signs of corrosion, however slight, will also be At Risk