Sofa in front of unused fire

jinny · 16 March 2017 at 9:36AM

Hi can anyone advise I have a broken back boiler behind a very ugly gas fire front can't afford a replacement at the moment I don't fit the criteria for a free boiler or have it fixed. The fire doesn't work either it's not been capped off but it's definitely caput. Could I put a sofa in front of it? The room is a long shape and the sofa would look better on the wall in front of the unused fire. I hope that is clear thanks.

Ebe_Scrooge · 16 March 2017 at 10:09AM

I don't see why not. Obviously if the fire was being used, it'd be a different matter, but if it's not switched on then what are you worried about ?

As a belt 'n' braces measure, switch off the gas supply to the fire - there should be a little tap in the pipework leading to the fire. But I don't really understand your concern ?

Aylesbury_Duck · 16 March 2017 at 10:11AM

I would recommend getting the fire properly decommissioned anyway. Besides the sofa question, there's the question of how safe a broken appliance with a live gas feed is.

FreeBear · 16 March 2017 at 11:07AM

jinny wrote: »

Hi can anyone advise I have a broken back boiler behind a very ugly gas fire front

Baxi Bermuda by any chance ?

If so, there will be a small tap located at the bottom right hand side of the back boiler - The tap should be accompanied by a diagram to show which way to position it so that the gas is turned off, supplies the boiler only, or both fire & boiler.

P.S. The Baxi Bermuda was very common and spares are still obtainable - The heat exchanger is the expensive part, but refurbished units sometimes turn up on ebay.

jinny · 16 March 2017 at 11:48AM

Thanks so much for quick replies
It's is a housewarmer electronic back boiler
With epic 2 gas fire
I had a gas fitter tell me I don't have enough
Ventilation in living room so was unable to fix the valve
I would need special vents installed in the outside wall
This is due to recent regulations. So I just kept the boiler off and the fire isn't used no pilot light is lit. I use an electric shower to wash and boil kettles for dishes I use a relatives washing machine to do laundry.
I have a convection heater in the living room but thankfully not so much in the recent mild weather. I live in a block of flats so added ventilation would be akward I assume. Sorry I sound quite depressing but I'm ok and fine with the set up at the moment. Things can only get better as the song goes.

FreeBear · 16 March 2017 at 1:19PM

Here you go, page 14 & 15 show the location of the gas valve - http://acwilgar.co.uk/Boiler-Manual-PDF/Potterton/POTTERTON%20HOUSEWARMER%2045,55.pdf

Like you, I also have a back boiler (Baxi), and ventilation is inadequate - Have an undersized air brick, but it lets in a howling gale and makes the room bloomin' cold.... (the fix I'll keep quiet about).

With a carbon monoxide alarm fitted (that is CO, not CO2), the back boiler is fired up as and when needed for hot water.

Fitting a suitable vent is problematic, as I guess it is a leasehold property - Fitting a condensing boiler is going to have the same issues if leaseholder permission is required.

jinny · 16 March 2017 at 3:53PM

Thanks for replies
Yes it's a council leasehold but private flat.
Fitter says the flue is ok but vents need to be fitted on wall opposite next to window this is a new regulation
I have a carbon monoxide detector in the room
I will take a look at the link thanks

Sofa in front of unused fire

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