Boiler in bedroom

cherry76

Would anyone consider buying a house with boiler in the bedroom? Thanks

davidmcn

Consider it, yes. Lived in one. In some layouts there isn't much choice of where to stick the boiler. Main issue is the noise, assuming you like your heating to come on before you're out of bed, though not so bad if it can go in a (suitably ventilated) cupboard.

AnotherJoe

Only if I was looking for a cheaper alternative to Dignitas.

Doozergirl

Carbon monoxide alarms exist. Cheap ones are available but the Nest Protect system is excellent.

A dangerous boiler is dangerous anywhere in a house. Don't have a dangerous boiler is the best solution.

davidmcn

Doozergirl wrote: »

A dangerous boiler is dangerous anywhere in a house.

Indeed, I don't follow the logic that, in the extremely unlikely event of a modern boiler pumping out carbon monoxide, that's acceptable as long as it's in your kitchen/bathroom/hall cupboard.

If it were actually hazardous to have them in bedrooms then it wouldn't be allowed - it's not as if we don't have fairly stringent regulations in the UK.

AnotherJoe

No alarm is foolproof and a dangerous boiler is going to be more dangerous in a bedroom than anywhere else. Why take the chance just in order to get one more cupboard in teh kitchen?

AnotherJoe

davidmcn wrote: »

Indeed, I don't follow the logic that, in the extremely unlikely event of a modern boiler pumping out carbon monoxide, that's acceptable as long as it's in your kitchen/bathroom/hall cupboard.

Strawman argument; Its not acceptable under any circumstances but if something goes wrong, at least out of the bedroom you are more likely to be awake, realise you feel ill, and get out and you also dont spend many hours unconscious and unaware in those rooms (well, I dont )

davidmcn wrote: »

If it were actually hazardous to have them in bedrooms then it wouldn't be allowed - it's not as if we don't have fairly stringent regulations in the UK.

I'd be confident that over time the conditions on installation in bedrooms have been made more stringent, principally as a result of people being poisoned in bedrooms. No doubt prior to each tightening the same argument could have been made "ah well they've tightened the regulations now so that cant happen again"


Theres also the issue that changes tend not to be retrospective so who knows what version this boiler was installed under.

davidmcn

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Why take the chance just in order to get one more cupboard in teh kitchen?

Like I said, it's probably going to be in the bedroom because there's nowhere else to put it rather than just to save kitchen space. If you have, say, a flat with other flats above you then the flue's got to go through an external wall. Putting it out the front might not be acceptable from a planning (or pedestrian safety) point of view, and the only rooms at the rear might be bedrooms.

Doozergirl

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Strawman argument; Its not acceptable under any circumstances but if something goes wrong, at least out of the bedroom you are more likely to be awake, realise you feel ill, and get out and you also dont spend many hours unconscious and unaware in those rooms (well, I dont )

I'd be confident that over time the conditions on installation in bedrooms have been made more stringent, principally as a result of people being poisoned in bedrooms. No doubt prior to each tightening the same argument could have been made "ah well they've tightened the regulations now so that cant happen again"

Theres also the issue that changes tend not to be retrospective so who knows what version this boiler was installed under.

You can install a boiler in any room. There are no regulations restricting them to non-sleeping rooms, precisely because any dangerous boiler is dangerous.

Current regs dictate properly installed boilers by certified individuals, and monitors - easily fitted in retrospect. Common sense dictates regular servicing to ensure continued safety, the law dictates gas safety certificates for tenants.

I'm recommending Nest Protect because it is exceptionally smart, tests itself and will alert to any issues via your phone if it's experiencing issues. Every device checks for both smoke and carbon monoxide throughout the house and are networked.

The logical argument is to protect yourself in any room of the house and to not be emotional about it being in certain rooms, and more relaxed in others.

Would I have a boiler in a bedroom? Yes, if it's the safest place to put it from a ventilation perspective. Nothing to do with kitchen cupboards.

Mistral001

The Building Regulations are the minimum requirements. You should aim for higher standards. If it feels wrong to have a boiler in your bedroom then it probably is wrong.

Putting in ventilation and C02 detectors is fine, but what if the vent gets blocked accidentally or the batteries in the CO2 detector run out without you noticing them, or it is faulty if it is wired to the mains.

Even if you are OK with sleeping in room with a boiler, are all the members of the household willing to do it? Are guests willing to do it?

Doozergirl

Mistral001 wrote: »

The Building Regulations are the minimum requirements. You should aim for higher standards. If it feels wrong to have a boiler in your bedroom then it probably is wrong.

Putting in ventilation and C02 detectors is fine, but what if the vent gets blocked accidentally or the batteries in the CO2 detector run out without you noticing them, or it is faulty if it is wired to the mains.

Even if you are OK with sleeping in room with a boiler, are all the members of the household willing to do it? Are guests willing to do it?

We create CO2 when we breathe. It's CO we're talking about.

I've just recommended the same product twice, now three times. This is the 21st Century.
https://nest.com/uk/smoke-co-alarm/overview/
We've installed nearly 100 of the things now, I'm sure and only
one has failed - and it told the homeowner immediately! There were still plenty more on the network to compensate.


If something feels wrong, it doesn't mean it is. If having a boiler in your bedroom feels wrong, then having one in your house at all should evoke the same feeling.

Because what happens when the batteries on a substandard CO alarm run out or the wiring is wrong to the monitor in your kitchen? The result is still lethal.

Protect yourselves properly and carry out basic maintenance. Davidmcn's point is made perfectly and not strawman theory when people like you are more worried about broken monitors in bedrooms!

My father in law was poisoned by the living room fire. No monitors.