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Boiler issue

Posted by E Lilley, on Mon 13 Jan 2014 01:06pm

Hello I have a gentleman round today to look at boiler who has refused to service it as states that it is against the regulations and illegal; from what i can understand his main issue he said was that the flue is too close to my front door and my front window and he said the distance needs to be at least. 300mm. I have lived here for 2 years and did not realise this was the case. I have just done a bit of googling and it seems that approved document J has something to do with this. As my boiler was likely put in over 20 years ago is this actually correct that these regulations will apply to my boiler even though it is older than the regs? I tried to ask him that moving the flue but he did not think was possible and he is quoting 2k for a new combi boiler. He wanted to switch it off immediately which I obviously refused and he has said he has powers to notify police/gas regulator thanks Emm

Timothy Taylor

Mon 13 Jan 2014 07:46pm

Hi there This is what would be classed as either at risk or not to current standards, to over come in the short term the window could have been screwed so it could not be opened, you would have to be more specific with the model of boiler, one thing to remember the manufactures instructions always override building regs. The only time it can be turned off and capped off is if it is classed as immediately dangerous which this is not, the Police have absolutely nothing to do with it what so ever ! Hope this helps Tim

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Sam Sandhu

Mon 13 Jan 2014 03:32pm

Hi Emma He is right in saying that the flue outlet can not be within 300 mm of an openable window or door. However, I am pretty sure that this can be altered but it is difficult to comment on how without seeing it. Some engineers try and push through a sale of a new boiler by using scare tactics. Our company motto is if it's is operating fine, don't replace it. I would put an ad on ratedpeople.com and ask for a quote for a new flue to be installed or try and re-route the existing. Best of luck. Sam (eps)

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