Boiler installed incorrectly.

LDR_2

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, so apologies in advance if I'm mistaken.

We had a new combie boiler installed when we first brought our house back in 2001. I've had an engineer from the same company come out a few times over the years to fix minor problems with the boiler such as the fuse for the timer going.

A couple of weeks ago we would only get hot water if the boiler was already running for the heating and there was next to no water pressure. I did some research and it appeared that the water wasn't being diverted in the boiler when the hot water was turned on and required a small part to be replaced. No big deal. However, I was concerned about the lack of pressure so got a BG engineer in this time as they had a set fee and I'd heard good things from friends who had used them in the past.

The boiler was fixed same day and the lack of pressure was down to some workman working on the pipes outside so everything back to normal.

However, it was brought to our attention that the boiler we had installed was not legal as it was too close to a window and the overflow pipe was left hanging inside the wall.

Is it worth getting back in touch with the people who originally installed our boiler after such a long time? I do have the paperwork.

fiddling_flower_petals

LDR wrote: »

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, so apologies in advance if I'm mistaken.

We had a new combie boiler installed when we first brought our house back in 2001. I've had an engineer from the same company come out a few times over the years to fix minor problems with the boiler such as the fuse for the timer going.

A couple of weeks ago we would only get hot water if the boiler was already running for the heating and there was next to no water pressure. I did some research and it appeared that the water wasn't being diverted in the boiler when the hot water was turned on and required a small part to be replaced. No big deal. However, I was concerned about the lack of pressure so got a BG engineer in this time as they had a set fee and I'd heard good things from friends who had used them in the past.

The boiler was fixed same day and the lack of pressure was down to some workman working on the pipes outside so everything back to normal.

However, it was brought to our attention that the boiler we had installed was not legal as it was too close to a window and the overflow pipe was left hanging inside the wall.

Is it worth getting back in touch with the people who originally installed our boiler after such a long time? I do have the paperwork.

Do you have a report from BG re: illegality?

If so, BG should have reported this to Corgi

Ring BG and find out

I would contact installation company and explain history to date, follow this up in writing.
Request their corgi no. and you could ask for copy of paperwork

burnsguitarman

The rules change frequently, what is "non compliant" today may be ok tomorrow, so don't be too worried. ie I was always left a 'non compliance' advice because the filling loop on my combi was always left connected, now I'm told it's no longer a problem. What was the case when the boiler was installed is what is important. I think the bit about the window is, so that the unburned gas fumes don't blow back in through an open window. The overflow pipe should be outside (and I'm told facing back to the wall) so that any hot water that is discharged can be seen, and because it's facing back to the wall will not spray onto anyone who may be passing! If it's not going outside I would be concerned it may discharge water elsewhere and you don't know about it. Hope this makes sense.

Ken68

It's a way for business to make money.
Their 'Association' lobby an MP to get the rules and regulations changed in the name of health and safety or whatever.
Then all consumers have to buy something new or have to change something, staff have to be re-trained, no end to it.
Like Al says, if it was dangerous they would have shut it down.

LDR_2

Thanks everybody. It's set my mind at ease.

The boiler is apparently only a matter of inches away from the required distance from the window according to the engineer anyway. It's not dangerous.

ScoobyCanDo

If A BG Engineer put a CONDEMNED notice on your appliance, then it is illegal to use ....................... if he simply said "it's an illegal installation" and did not condemn it THERE & THEN, your first port of call it to check the Boiler Manufactures installation instructions .............. if you where not left with the Installation Manual, a simple search on the web should find it .................... the "too close to a window"? bit ............. is irrelevant to the actual boiler, but can refer to the FLUE ..........? WHICH did your engineer refer to?

As to "the overflow pipe was left hanging inside the wall " ................ if you mean it was left inside the property wall, then this is down to lazy installation and simply needs routing outside???

Scooby:cool:

LDR_2

I've just had a look at the BG HomeCare Customer Checklist that was left by the engineer.

It passed all safety check apart from the flueing not correct.

The boiler was checked as a PASS but advised a system upgrade. There is no CONDEMNED notice.

The engineer has written "Not to current standard. No overflow to safety pipe - Flue Cage to Close to Corner."
My wife spoke to the engineer about the pipe and was told that it would cost a bit if we asked BG to do the work and recommended getting a plumber to do the work for a much reduced cost, which was nice of him.

ScoobyCanDo

LDR wrote: »

I've just had a look at the BG HomeCare Customer Checklist that was left by the engineer.

There is no CONDEMNED notice.

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........... Ah, NO PROBLEM then ...............?

Job done.

[Was just fishing for more work .......... BG];)

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RE: "No overflow to safety pipe"

Was he referring to the Pressure Relief run-off for the Pressure Vessel?:huh:

You don't make it clear?


If it is, then you can do the job yourself, running a copper pipe through an outside wall, to discharge/vent outside .......... have a word with a plumber, via obtaining a quote to do the job, and work out if you can do it yourself.


As for the flue .......... nothing much you can do, other than MOVE the boiler to a different location (Very Costly) !!!

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Scooby;)

looby-loo_2

I had a new combi boiler fitted in August by big Corgi registered firm. Went wrong three times and they mended it but problem repeated.

Then it went really wrong and manufactures agent came. Said it would take 5 weeks for the part (not funny without hot water or heat in Jan) and stuck a condemned notice on it. Said it had been dropped when installed.

Not happy with just a repair. No joy with installer or manufacturer.

Phoned Trading Standards Friday, brand new boiler fitted on Tuesday. Sorted!

MWOOLY10

LDR wrote: »

I've just had a look at the BG HomeCare Customer Checklist that was left by the engineer.

It passed all safety check apart from the flueing not correct.

The boiler was checked as a PASS but advised a system upgrade. There is no CONDEMNED notice.

The engineer has written "Not to current standard. No overflow to safety pipe - Flue Cage to Close to Corner."
My wife spoke to the engineer about the pipe and was told that it would cost a bit if we asked BG to do the work and recommended getting a plumber to do the work for a much reduced cost, which was nice of him.

As you say get a plumber to do the little bits not much work in it really.. as for the flue depending on what boiler it is and if its a condensing boiler they do a pluming flue which is basically the same as you've got now but on the outside it takes it up and away from the window so hence problem solved and no need to go through the hassle and expense for having to move the boiler