Flue guard for condensing boiler

Annie1960

During my recent boiler service the engineer suggested that I should replace the flue guard.


Where can I get a flue guard for a condensing boiler? And what's the dufference between a guard for a condensing vs non-condensing boiler?

CliveOfIndia

You can get them anywhere - B&Q, Wickes, Toolstation, Screwfix, whatever.  Here's one I bought a few years ago, it didn't exactly break the bank and still going strong: https://www.screwfix.com/p/pc28x165-flue-guard-280-x-150mm/4989g

Just take a note of the measurements (diameter and depth) to make sure whatever you buy will fit over your flue outlet.

The only real difference for a condensing boiler is that it really wants to be either stainless steel or plastic-coated.  An uncoated or zinc-coated one will tend to corrode pretty rapidly.  No big deal as such, but it's a waste of money to have to replace it every few years when a proper coated one is still cheap as chips.

Annie1960

Thank you, CliveOfIndia.

ThisIsWeird

Hi Annie. This flue must, I guess, exit on to an area where folk walk by, and at that kind of height?

I'd suggest that the main difference betwixt the two flues is the temp, with a 'non' being much hotter,  and a condie one not at any risk of scalding at all. So surely safer?

Interesting one - won't all gas boiler flues have acidic outputs?

Annie1960

ThisIsWeird said:

Hi Annie. This flue must, I guess, exit on to an area where folk walk by, and at that kind of height?

I'd suggest that the main difference betwixt the two flues is the temp, with a 'non' being much hotter,  and a condie one not at any risk of scalding at all. So surely safer?

Interesting one - won't all gas boiler flues have acidic outputs?

It's also to stop small birds flying in.

ThisIsWeird

Annie1960 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Hi Annie. This flue must, I guess, exit on to an area where folk walk by, and at that kind of height?

I'd suggest that the main difference betwixt the two flues is the temp, with a 'non' being much hotter,  and a condie one not at any risk of scalding at all. So surely safer?

Interesting one - won't all gas boiler flues have acidic outputs?

It's also to stop small birds flying in.

That just ain't going to happen... The intake will already have a 'grill'.

I suspect you simply do not need a flue guard.

If you post a photo, we can advise further.

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said:

Annie1960 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Hi Annie. This flue must, I guess, exit on to an area where folk walk by, and at that kind of height?

I'd suggest that the main difference betwixt the two flues is the temp, with a 'non' being much hotter,  and a condie one not at any risk of scalding at all. So surely safer?

Interesting one - won't all gas boiler flues have acidic outputs?

It's also to stop small birds flying in.

That just ain't going to happen... The intake will already have a 'grill'.

I suspect you simply do not need a flue guard.

If the flue is less than 2m from the ground, a guard is required.

Annie1960

ThisIsWeird said:

Annie1960 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Hi Annie. This flue must, I guess, exit on to an area where folk walk by, and at that kind of height?

I'd suggest that the main difference betwixt the two flues is the temp, with a 'non' being much hotter,  and a condie one not at any risk of scalding at all. So surely safer?

Interesting one - won't all gas boiler flues have acidic outputs?

It's also to stop small birds flying in.

That just ain't going to happen... The intake will already have a 'grill'.

I suspect you simply do not need a flue guard.

If you post a photo, we can advise further.

The gas engineer who serviced my boiler told me the existing one needs to be replaced. 

CliveOfIndia

Annie1960 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Annie1960 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Hi Annie. This flue must, I guess, exit on to an area where folk walk by, and at that kind of height?

I'd suggest that the main difference betwixt the two flues is the temp, with a 'non' being much hotter,  and a condie one not at any risk of scalding at all. So surely safer?

Interesting one - won't all gas boiler flues have acidic outputs?

It's also to stop small birds flying in.

That just ain't going to happen... The intake will already have a 'grill'.

I suspect you simply do not need a flue guard.

If you post a photo, we can advise further.

The gas engineer who serviced my boiler told me the existing one needs to be replaced. 

I won't pretend to know what the regulations say, but common sense would indicate that you want to stop someone accidentally catching an arm or leg on a hot flue outlet.  Either way, for the few quid a new guard will cost, just buy one and fit it

ThisIsWeird

A condensing flue outlet won't be hot, tho' - they are almost all plastic.

But, yes, if it's anywhere accessible, best covered. Mine is ~7' above ground level, and has never been mooted as an issue. And it's ugly enough as a flue, never mind adding a cover over it too :-)

jefaz07

You need a flue guard if 2m or under. A guard for a condensing boiler will be coated in plastic so it doesn’t corrode. 

You’ll see bare metal for non condensing and a big square one for an old balanced flue.  

I think it needs to be 50mm from the terminal too.