300mm Distance From Opening Debate

[Mr Sparkle]

I get a gas certificate done annually.

9 times out of 10 the gas engineer will issue the certificate without issue.

However on the odd occasion, I will get gas engineer who says that my flue is less than the required 300mm from the opening.

When I mention this to the engineers that issue the certificate, they say that the ones who fail it either don't know how to correctly measure or are hoping i'd slide them some money under the table for a pass..

Is possible to obtain documentation from an authority (like Gas Safe) which clearly states that the flue is at least 300mm away from the opening?

Or what else can I do, without modifying my existing setup

 

[muggles]

It's either 300mm away, or it isn't. The measurement should be taken from the edge of the brickwork opening to the nearest edge of the flue terminal

 

[ianmcd]

There is no pass or fail on a gas safety certificate, it is simply a record of what is found at the time of the visit, the defining distance from an opening is always stated in the manufacturers instructions for the particular boiler

 

[FiremanT]

I get a gas certificate done annually.

9 times out of 10 the gas engineer will issue the certificate without issue.

However on the odd occasion, I will get gas engineer who says that my flue is less than the required 300mm from the opening.

When I mention this to the engineers that issue the certificate, they say that the ones who fail it either don't know how to correctly measure or are hoping i'd slide them some money under the table for a pass..

Is possible to obtain documentation from an authority (like Gas Safe) which clearly states that the flue is at least 300mm away from the opening?

Or what else can I do, without modifying my existing setup

Has anyone refused to issue the LLGSR? If so, they are wrong and don't know the rules.

Unless there is evidence of products entering the property, most will be categorised as NCS, so no action actually required. If the flue was directly under a top hinged window, I would probably rate as AR, even though even that is not listed as such (*RGI comments on that?)

 

[Mr Sparkle]

Update: just had the LGSR done and no issues with the flue.

The engineer even said that he was happy for any engineer to call him if they felt that the distance was under 300mm

He also said that it maybe worthwhile installing a plume kit to avoid any issues regarding distance in the future.

Nice chap.

Has anyone refused to issue the LLGSR? If so, they are wrong and don't know the rules.

Unless there is evidence of products entering the property, most will be categorised as NCS, so no action actually required. If the flue was directly under a top hinged window, I would probably rate as AR, even though even that is not listed as such (*RGI comments on that?)

No, nobody has refused

They just state that it is at risk and then proceed to explain how they 'can make it right' and the associated cost.

Thanks for the help

 

[Gasguru]

It's a completely subjective call by the installer...clearly 290mm isn't going to be an issue but I've come across many flues passing straight through the lintel immediately next
to an openable window where that may well pose a risk from undiluted combustion products entering the property.
Do you play safe, At Risk the situation, turn off, issue paperwork and loose the customer (or agent) forever? And no you can't seal the window shut either.

Gas-Safe/IGEM/HSE are little interested in resolving the problems of poor installations and it is us with our heads on the block should there be an incident.

Even the old category of NCS has been withdrawn, there's no official backing for it although you can still advise a customer.
It's your shoddy installation and your problem so don't go hard on the gas eng. trying to do the right thing...we're not all crooks.
Post a pic...

 

[FiremanT]

It's a completely subjective call by the installer...clearly 290mm isn't going to be an issue but I've come across many flues passing straight through the lintel immediately next
to an openable window where that may well pose a risk from undiluted combustion products entering the property.
Do you play safe, At Risk the situation, turn off, issue paperwork and loose the customer (or agent) forever? And no you can't seal the window shut either.

Gas-Safe/IGEM/HSE are little interested in resolving the problems of poor installations and it is us with our heads on the block should there be an incident.

Even the old category of NCS has been withdrawn, there's no official backing for it although you can still advise a customer.
It's your shoddy installation and your problem so don't go hard on the gas eng. trying to do the right thing...we're not all crooks.
Post a pic...

NCS has not been “withdrawn”, you just don’t note it on Warning Notices

 

[Gasguru]

It forms no part of GIUSP...

 

[Razor900]

It forms no part of GIUSP...

But neither does ARing flues that are under the required measurement...

 

[Gasguru]

You've seen the property and it's not an openable window?

 

[Razor900]

You've seen the property and it's not an openable window?

And what difference does that make?

As you referenced the GIUSP could you show me where it says that would make it AR?

 

[FiremanT]

NCS is, and always has been a non actionable category. IIRC, you never HAD to record or notify client of every NCS.

FWIW, I would note and inform the client of things like clearances to windows and "allowable" escapes. Mainly to avoid the next RGI saying "did the last guy not notice....)