Boiler flue, Flue Boilers Ventilation
All gas engineers are required to inspect flue systems, to make sure the flue was installed correctly, and remains in good condition. Where a flue runs through a void behind a wall, ceiling or cupboard, or is boxed-in, it is clearly difficult for this inspection to take place, so the gas industry and the HSE have issued guidance regarding inspection hatches. This is not as onerous as it sounds. It requires a 300mm x 300mm (1ft x 1ft) access panel within 1.5m (5ft) of any concealed joint in a flue system.
Many installations will not need extra access hatches at all, and others might need only one, with the work to be completed by the end of 2012. However the usual bunch of cowboy builders and unscrupulous heating firms will no doubt use this minor requirement to frighten vulnerable elderly people into paying for expensive and unnecessary extra work, as they do every time new guidance is issued.
The full guidance can be found on www.gassaferegister.co.uk – under “Flues in Voids – Frequently Asked Questions”. Or call Gas Safe Register free on 0800 408 5500.
Carbon monoxide poisoning.
A plumber who botched fitting of boiler leading to carbon monoxide death of ‘dazzling’ millionaire’s daughter found guilty of manslaughter. Plumber Andrew Hartley failed to secure the boiler flue pipe during ‘rushed’ and ‘botched’ installation in December 2010.
Zoe Anderson, 24, died within 30 minutes of being exposed to the fumes
A gas fitter whose faulty boiler installation led to the carbon monoxide death of a millionaire’s daughter has been convicted of her manslaughter.
Andrew Hartley fitted the new boiler into Zoe Anderson’s Bath home less than two weeks before she was overcome by gas fumes.
The 37-year-old plumber had already admitted a charge of breaching gas safety regulations by failing to secure the boiler flue pipe with screws.
How Flue Boilers Ventilation works
Plain English – a boiler flue is made of two pipes. One pipe takes the air in, the other one takes takes the fumes ( CO2) out.
