Boiler access following new kitchen install

[Longshanks]

Hi

When our Magnet kitchen was first measured, we were told that the units would be deep enough to cover our Worcester 30 CDI boiler. We were later advised that this was not the case, but a workaround would be found to allow boxing.

We went with this, even though fitter subsequently had to remove the inspection front cover of boiler.

We then mentioned our annual BG service and the need for " access" etc. The fitter casually said this could be achieved by removing plinth.

We had British Gas here yesterday to do annual service and they were unable to gain access to remove boiler cover. This largely due to position of plinth, inability to access top spring of boiler to unlock and remove cover and also need to take cupboard door off.

The BG engineer insisted that removal of boiler cover would be impossible without a section of timber being hacked off to allow access to, and raising of boiler spring etc.

I went back to Magnet and they are coming out next week to assess. However, they insist that removal of "pelmet" is all that is needed to allow boiler cover to be removed.

We knew there would have to be modifications due to depth of boiler (not ancient) but wonder whether we just have to accept that boxing not practical.

Below are photos to illustrate.

Would appreciate your views before visit next week.

Thanks

(There is added complication of proximity of boiler to integrated oven, so may still be unable to pull cover off, despite other modificatiobs)

 

[foxhole]

Design is terrible , single cupboard should have been used around boiler, then easy to lift off the entire unit to access the boiler, you should still be able to lift off the cup'b.

 

[Longshanks]

When you say you should still be able to lift off the cupboard...Do you mean as in we, the customer, or is it an elaborate job that you wouldn't want to repeat every year??

Thanks

 

[foxhole]

Simple job , the cupboard should be attached to wall at top corners with a bracket, a long bladed screwdriver can release the mount allowing the whole unit to lift off.

 

[Doggit]

I would say that that cupboard was installed by fitters with no awareness of the mainenance requirments, because not only can you not get access to the top to get the cover off, neither can you get at the bottom of the boiler with the pelmet(not plinth) in the way.

Much as it wouldn't look great, the whole cupboard (including pelmet and cornice) needs to be removable in one piece; alternatively, you wouldn't have the cupboard behind the door, just a panel on the left and the right to hold the door there.

Howdens do very nifty quick release hinges, and you should just be able to get your fingers to the back of the hinge to release it. Then you just need an easy release option for the pelmet at the bottom of the cuboard.

 

[Longshanks]

Thanks for responses. Will wait to see what Magnet say, as we used their designer and fitter. We are resigned to losing cupboard as we obviously need boiler serviced. However, it would be nice to find a compromise where it can be covered, but effortlessly removed.

 

[Doggit]

A door still give the illusion of a cupboard. If the fitters are good, then they'll take off the top and bottom of the cupboard, and fix the L/Hside of the cupboard to the sloping wall.

 

[Longshanks]

Thanks, but this is all getting a bit technical for me. When you say take off the top and bottom of the cupboard... Do you mean the plinth/pelmet in relation to latter?

 

[Doggit]

Think about it Longshanks. The top of the cupboard is in the way, so you want to get rid of it, and the bottom of the cupboards an equal problem, so it'd be good to get rid of that as well. So that leaves you with the just the sides of the cupboard to keep in position. All you want is the door to cover the boiler, and that just require the left hand side of the cupboard being fixed in place to hold it up.

The fitters should be able to do it, as it was part of their remit for the job.

 

[Longshanks]

Cheers. All I was saying was that the "bottom of the cupboard" doesn't exist, as such. There is just the plinth/pelmet thing covering this.

 

[rules&rulers]

It looks nice and neat although the cupboard could have been designed better to provide service access.

There is hardly any space above the boiler to remove the boiler case (case has to be lifted up 50mm or so) Get the cupboard arranged so it can be easily removed from the wall with a few screws,you may have to remove the cupboard yourself as sometimes BG will not do this (it depends on who they send).

Sometimes if the quoted makers clearances are reduced then the cupboard needs to be lined with non combustible material and or have ventilation fitted,it will mention that in the book which came with the boiler.

Seem many boilers in cupboard like yours.

 

[Razor900]

It's not the gas fitters job to remove boxing to service the appliance so I'd agree with the BG guy there.

The expected clearances are in the big book that came with the boiler, you'll find it doesn't meet them. How far is it between the front of the boiler and the cooker housing?

 

[Longshanks]

Thanks for further responses. We looked at clearances when BG guy here. He was more concerned about the 3cm gap at the top, but acknowledged there could be an issue at the front. The gap between boiler and cooker is only about 35cm and well short of 60cm in drawing. However, he said there may be enough space to do something.

I'm feeling suicidal about this now. There was a lot of talk about alterations to units to accommodate boiler depth and the option to buy newer, smaller boiler. However, the workaround was done, integrated cooker unit positioned, and some reassurance that boiler would be accessible for servicing etc.

I'll just have wait for Magnet visit next week and take it from there.

Appreciate all advice given.

Cheers.