Gas inspector has disconnected supply saying it's dangerous

fr0d0 · 29 Nov 2010

We've had this check booked a few weeks, trying to be good landlords and getting everything done correctly. Lesson learned: get these checks done in the summer!

It had to be this week, -11 and a bad forecast for at least the next 7 days.

Here's the message we got from the tenant:

"he said who ever installed the boiler in the first place did a poor job as he said the gas pipework run in 15mm from boiler should be 22mm instead he was therefore unable to take a analyser reading as the flue is fitted incorrectly plus the seal on the flue was not tight and the flue gases are mixing with the air inlets.
The flue is also leaking water from outside and the meter box is not sealed so therefore he has disconnected from the fuel supply as he has a warning label on there it is unsafe for us to use."

The boiler is 3 years old. It's been checked by British Gas, an independent plumber and a plumber contracted by an insurance company last year, none of whom picked any of this up.

Do we have to replace the 15mm pipe?

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks

darrellj · 29 Nov 2010

The pipe does not need changing if you are getting correct standing and working gas pressure.
most combie boilers need 22mm pipe but normal boilers run on 15mm pipe,
what make of boiler is it.

fr0d0 · 29 Nov 2010

Thanks Darrell

Don't know at the moment - it is a combi boiler tho - begins with 'H' I think.

It has a flush, plain white door with all the controls inside. Wall mounted.

gigz · 30 Nov 2010

Standing pressure has nothing to do with it, working pressure is a must (M.I.s dictate what this should be) Depending on the length plus bends of the 15mm it might need changing. Did he note what the working pressure was ? The other things can be put right by a RGI. Let the installer know whats been said and see what they say.

darrellj · 30 Nov 2010

If the flue is not fitted right that would be classed as at risk and the boiler shut of also if the boiler is not getting the right pressure that is classed as at risk and boiler shut of,
the meter box not sealed is classed as not to standard,you could look back at your old gas certs and see what has been put down as working pressure readings.and may be contact them,
but 99% of combies need 22mm to get the gas pressure for the hot water.only guessing but the boiler could be a halstead if it starts with a h.

Gasguru · 30 Nov 2010

darrellj said:
If the flue is not fitted right that would be classed as at risk and the boiler shut of also if the boiler is not getting the right pressure that is classed as at risk and boiler shut of,
the meter box not sealed is classed as not to standard,you could look back at your old gas certs and see what has been put down as working pressure readings.and may be contact them,
but 99% of combies need 22mm to get the gas pressure for the hot water.only guessing but the boiler could be a halstead if it starts with a h.

Have a read of the IUSP

fr0d0 · 30 Nov 2010

Thanks for the replies. It is a Halstead - just like this one: http://www.halsteadglendimplex.com/Prds.aspx?id=15

Looking at the spec on the linked pdf - it says: "Connections: Gas : 15mm Compression" ...so the installation is correct?

He didn't take a reading the tenant said. I can find out who the installer was - I'll check that.

This is our first year as landlords - my parents used to live in the house and had the work done. But we have the paperwork somewhere.

The CH system is Microbore and it's a tiny semi detached 2 bed bungalow.

PEDANTICVINDICTIVEMAN · 30 Nov 2010

it's not about being good, it's complying with the law, sounds like some cowboys fitted it.

Just because the boiler has a 15mm inlet isn't that relevant, it will still most likely need 22mm pipe or bigger for most of the run from the meter depending on length/elbows/tees and other appliances connected to the same pipe.

With the cumulative faults on one appliance it obviously needed turning off.

DP · 30 Nov 2010

If the boiler is above the meter, and inlet pressurre is correct, pipe may not need to be 22.

andy162 · 30 Nov 2010

Hi Everyone...

To disconnect an appliance from the supply it must pose an "immediate" threat to life or property. Leaking gas or fumes for instance.

If the appliance "potentially" could cause a risk to life or property it would be deemed as "at risk". In this case it should've been turned off & labelled. It sounds as though your Engineer has been over cautious.

Beerlover · 30 Nov 2010

IF your gas meter box is not sealed to the building it could be classed as At Risk and TURNED OFF with your permission.

The rest, (if what you are saying is 100%) is b*ll*cks.

He didn't take a flue sample, so how can he prove that there is a mixing of flue gases? What was the working pressure recorded?

Get another opinion and potentially your money back from the first 'expert'

Make sure you recommend him to your friends

fr0d0 · 1 Dec 2010

Thanks for those replies. Got a second opinion today from someone happy to do the work as well.

He says the boiler won't start and we need a new saddle @£12 at best, maybe a new PCB at £170 and maybe the flue replacing.

He was on the phone to Halstead for an hour to establish this, as the tenant couldn't find the manual (that we'd left together with all manuals for the house in a drawer under the boiler).

The boiler has never not worked and was working until the first company turned it all off.

pampers · 1 Dec 2010

The first engineer is getting a slatting based on what the tenants understood and then told the ll and what the landlord said here.
So many things could have changed.

No one i know off goes out to do a safety check wanting to turn a appliance off ,it makes it really hard getting paid its so much easier to pass everything but then whats the point of a safety check.

But then as long as you get your bit of paper and then if some thing goes wrong you at least have some one else to blame.

fr0d0 · 1 Dec 2010

Yes you can never do right!

Heard from the original fitter today - said had to turn off the gas with two immediate danger faults. Said he offered tenants heaters - turned down said they already had one.

Tenant told him they couldn't work the heating controls so were turning off the boiler to control it. Could that have caused it to fail?

danhiltonplumbingservices · 1 Dec 2010

all thes forms about gas safe are if the gas fitter belives its safe. a flue is (id) the pipe is ok if the standing is no less that one mb from the meter to the boiler the meter box is not to standard some gas fitters class pipework as not to standard. i know that 2 not to standards are upgraded to at risk which means turning then boiler off. regarded the flue gases mixing he can say they were mixing without checking but has to then prove it as first thing you do when entering the house after getting a cup of tea is
VISUAL CHECK. im only learning gas and i would of done the same thing as the fitter but would of then offered to fix the problems

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Gas inspector has disconnected supply saying it's dangerous

Similar threads