Gas fire flue and Cavity Insulation - Quotes

Hi there! My first post here. I hope someone can help me!

My new property has been surveyed in order to have cavity insulation. My front room has a gas fire installed and the surveyor spent a long time looking for a sticker that is supposed to indicate the gas flue flow in order to identify if a vent needs to be installed in the room or not. Unfortunately such sticker is missing.

Therefore I am facing either a) disconnect the fire (since I don't think I will ever use it); or b) get the gas flue flow tested to see if it falls under 7kW (whatever that means!)

Could a Gas Safe Registered member give me some indication of how much would approx. cost me disconnecting the gas pipe and/or how much would cost me to get the gas fire flue flow tested and provide me with some official paperwork certifying it? (I live in the North West)

Thanks in advance for your help!

[It is not flue flow he is interested in but the das rate (how much gas is burned). Have you no books on the fire? If not, get a torch and look around behind the fret for a make and model. Post the details and someone will let you know. If there is notheing, take some photos and post 'em. However, the Insulation guys may want some proper documentation ie a book. An RGI could measure the gas rate, but he will still need something to refer against.

Once the fire is identified, you should be able to obtain a copy of instructions

Thanks a lot expertgasman for your quick response and advice.

I bought the house a few months ago and unfortunately the previous owner didn't leave any leaflet, instructions manual or documentation of the gas fire. Also, I have been looking all around the fireplace removing every thing I could remove looking for the sticker with the brand name, model or technical details unsuccessfully.

Following your advice, I'm attaching some pictures of it to see if someone can provide further guidance. The house has a lot of B&Q stuff, so I wouldn't be surprised if it is a B&Q one or if it was for sale there.

Sorry, I can't really help. The one on the right reminds me of an old Flavel, but the coals on the other are similiar to early New Worlds. Have you got 2 fires, then, or are these alternative trims for the same fire?

A B&Q would probably be Focal Point. A photo of the controls wopuld help to identify FP's.

It is almost certainly sub 7Kw, so no vent reqd, but you may find an RGI (who could gas rate) may be unhelpful without the books, but it is worth a ring around, if you check previously with the ins. co. that a measured rate would be satisfactory

Thanks again! The two pictures are of the same fire, one with the protector, the other without it. For some stupid reason I thought that perhaps the protector came together with the fire, and included the photo with it in case it could help.

Tonight I will take pictures of the controls area behind the bottom panel to see if there is any luck.

I have emailed Focal Point Fires with pictures of the fire to see if they recognise it. Perhaps it is an old model...

Ok, here you have the photos with everything removed, just the "bones" of the gas fire here:


You may appreciate an orange sticker on the left side, it's broken and cracked but it seems to be a gas test pass sticker.

I've been looking inside out the thing and can't find any logo or brand at all! Unbelievable.

I've been looking inside out the thing and can't find any logo or brand at all! Unbelievable.[/quote]

It is, without a doubt, a Valor. I will thinjk about the model. It WILL be sub 7Kw.

I can't actually beleive you posted a picture with a spark guard over the fire!

EDIT: It is probably a sonnet or Ultimate 719.

The key is the coal arrangement, but I don't recognise the fret, but this may have been a non standard replacement.

I wonder if you could phone Valor on 0845 600 5111, and ask if you can email a picture for them to identify and supply a manual?

Hi Expertgasman,

I have been given confirmation that indeed the fire is a Valor one.

Also I found this in internet: http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/fires-&-fireplaces/valor-harmony-inset-gas-chrome-fire.asp

I have checked on the Valor website but the range "Harmony" doesn't look like mine. I found however the range called "Blenheim" which is exactly the same, but as you very well indicate the fret is different.

I have anyhow contacted Valor (via their holding company called GDC Group Ltd) and I am waiting for a response from them.

Finally, I have downloaded from the internet an "Installer Guide & Owner Guide Manual" of Valor model 719 with Ultimate or Colourway Firefront. I have reviewed the information and I can confirm that the coal arrangement and the technical data (i.e. dimensions, parts described, coal identification as A and B, etc.) matches with my gas fire (I know this thanks to having to take the picture of the "bones" and have been looking for the sticker all around!).

So I guess the search is over. Thanks ever so much for your assistance and help. The last step is hoping that the Cavity Insulation installers accept the manual I downloaded as good to go ahead without the need of a vent (I've been trying to avoid this at any cost!).

Thanks again and all the best!!