Catchment area size

Friend of mine has a piece of toughened glass fitted across the top of his fireplace opening to reduce the size and hence improve the draw up the chimney. It has the same effect as say a copper hood over a fire but can't be seen so easily. It's about 6" deep fixed to the fireplace across the whole width along the top of the opening.

Is this the sort of thing that could solve the problem?
 
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Moderator 10
Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:00 pm Comment:

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Please note rule 1 (Abusive or unhelpful posts are not welcome.) - See here for the forum rules.


Dear Mod 10,
Maybe I was a little strong, but it does hack me off when a poster comes on arguing over the rules, as if they are hard done by. The OP has stated that his openoing is "only" 100 mm above the "recommended" height (whereas it is aREQUIRED maximum). We spend a lot of time in our daily lives "educating" people, and we donn't get paid for this non productive time, but we still rack up our expenses.

They then use our advice and buy off the net. Little wonder that we become economical with details until we have a contrct.

I LOVE it when a 'net purchser gets screwed by his own actions.
 
To all you helpful people thanks for coming back to me. I'm echoing what the gas fitter told me when talking about catchment area - so sorry if I've got it wrong. I didn't think the opening was much more than normal, but obviously too big for the fire I chose! I suppose the bottom line is, is there a minimum output I need to look for in my next purpose?

A final message for expertgasman: It's some comfort to know you don't just disrespect potential customers who have the brass neck to ask for help, but your fellow professionals as well. It must be a sad and lonely life if your attitude on this forum is reflected in your face to face interactions with real people. I genuinely wish you a good Christmas and I hope next year can be happier for you.
 
Woops. Forgot to say, Tipper, that sounds like a really good idea. That would then let me keep the fire I've got and would probably be paid for by what I would save on the return postage.

Many thanks :D
 
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Hello expertgasman. Do you practice being a rude ****, or does it come naturally?

This fireplace opening - and the existing fire - had been there for 20 years plus. Discussed with RGI, and supplier and everyone thought it was a simple like for like exchange so stupidity doesn't come in to it. And I'm not claiming to be an "expert" but I do know about the lack of efficiency - that's why I called it "decorative" in my first post. Central heating provides the heat and I'm willing to pay the cost of the fire for the effect.

Oh, and I did go to a "proper" shop. They tried to sell me an LPG fire....

Expertgasman actually runs a shop specialising in gas fires.

It does rather sound as if you did not follow the traditional route of going through a shor or an RGI and letting THEM have the responsibility of choosing a suitable fire.

Did you take all their advice and then bypass them to order it online so you could get it cheaper???
 
I suppose the bottom line is, is there a minimum output I need to look for in my next purpose?

It isn't neccesarily an output issue. If you have an EXPERIENCED RGI, he will easily be able to get the MI's of a fire you like BEFORE purchasing the fire, but, seriously, there is more to fitting fire thn folk expect. The Glass canopy idea is sound, providing you can make it aesthetically acceptable
 
What is the traditional route for buying a gas fire? I toured at least six different shops: choice was limited, fires were expensive, delivery slow and installation costs about double what I was quoted by local heating engineers. Then when I did choose a fire, agreed to pay what they were asking, and their cost for fitting, they didn't turn up on the day agreed. When I telephoned next morning they told me they had sold me an LPG fire - which their fitter pointed out to them was unsuitable - but they didn't bother to call me and tell me.
Then, I looked on line, saw a fire I liked, checked dimensions (of the fire) phoned the supplier to check there were no issues with the fire and ordered it. Next I called a local, long established, firm of heating engineers discussed with them the situation, before booking the fitter to come out. He came, saw the fire, didn't think there was any issue - until he opened the installation instructions and measured the space. That was the first I - or apparently anyone else - had any inkling there was a problem! So come on guys, give me a break! I'm a pretty normally intelligent person who makes a living interpreting and applying pretty complex information (and very often about life and death issues!). I haven't looked to cut corners, understand the complexities of the gas regulations, have been happily willing to pay for the expertise - but honestly I now have to think, is it worth all this to go gas? Especially when some of you seem to think that your customers are all brain damaged, penny pinching idiots! Guys, if there's a better way of doing it, the maybe your industry needs to be taking a long hard look at education for the public. I'm done. I'm going to take Tipper's advice and if that doesn't work. I'll do without a gas fire. :cry:
 
GRANIN
Your biggest mistake was to think that by coming onto a DIY site you would have got a bit of good no nonsence advice.
Instead of being ripped for asking a genuine question that you have tried to genuinely find an answer to.

Heaven forbid some of the pros on here remember that this is what the site is set up for
 
I normlly agree with most of namsag's comments, but within the last few days, you suggested that a punter could connect 7" outlet to an EXISTING 5" liner, but they would need a special adaptor.
 
Expertgasman . not that expert at converting sizes are you since when has 135mm been 7 inches or is that what you tell your mrs
135MM is approx 5 and a quarter inches and yes appliance adaptors are avialable to go to 5 inch liners off of this but MI would be telling you what size flue liner if any would be req but an adaptor from appliance to whatever size liner may be necesarry.

And for an expert in thousands of fire installs (your words) and owns a shop but didnt even know that that doors and windows had to be closed on a bomb test you can fek right off with any smart answer to me .

Oh 7 inches is just short of 180mm
 
You know , there's a lot of nonsense posted on this forum , for instance.... 'you can't use 90 bends on open flued appliances (B11/B21) , 'you can't reduce/increase flue size at appliance spigot' etc etc............you most certainly can if you know how to calculate flueing heights and resistances..................... :rolleyes:
 

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