This caught our “eyes” recently as having quite significant consequences to many.
But first the background. When manufacturers in the mid 90s introduced fan-flued gas boilers they were hailed by many as being a major step forward. They allowed boilers to be installed on internal walls instead of having to be installed on an external one. This meant that architects, house-builders etc. could design systems more efficiently saving on space.
As a consequence thousands of homes, old and new, have gas boilers on internal walls. So far so good.
The pertinent point to this is that the flues to many of these boilers were, in some cases, routed through voids in the ceiling space, through stud walls and between properties above.
Up until recently the guidance governing such checks stated that in the event that a flue could not be checked then it had to be deemed “not to current standards” and in the absence of any other risks which could make the boiler unsafe then that was that. Job done.Here comes the rub. When a Gas Engineer installs, repairs or services a boiler or indeed does ANY work to it, they are legally required to check the flue to ensure that it is safe.
Things changed on the 1st January 2012. New revised guidance came into force. This guidance now requires that inspection hatches be fitted to all properties and premises where the flues are concealed, and this has to be done by 31st December 2012.
To quote the HSE, “Any gas engineer working on affected systems after 1st January 2013 will advise the homeowner that the system is “at risk” (AR) in accordance with the GIUSP and, with the owner’s permission will turn off the gas supply to the boiler so it cannot be used.
In the interim period, where no inspection hatches are fitted, the registered gas engineers will carry out a simple risk assessment which should ensure that the risk from exposure to CO is managed in the short-term. This risk assessment includes:
- looking for signs of leakage along the flue route; and
- carrying out a flue combustion analysis check (and obtaining a satisfactory result); and
- checking for the presence of suitable audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarms (and installing such alarms where they are not already fitted).
As long as this boiler passes the series of safety checks and the risk assessment does not identify any concerns about its safety, it can be left on. Suitable inspection hatches will however need to be fitted to the ceiling (or wall, as appropriate) by end 31st December 2012. Wherever possible it is recommended that inspection hatches are fitted before this date.
Once inspection hatches have been fitted, the gas engineer will be able to make sure that the flue is safe and was installed in line with the relevant standards and manufacturers instructions.”
But what happens if you don’t pass the test? Gas off.
Source: http://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/fluesinvoids.htm
