Boiler flue extractor

[Burnz0]

Hi All. I had my boiler fitted in my kitchen cupboard 10+ years ago and also the extractor. Since there was no other place to vent the extractor, the plumber didn’t cut the flue back to the wall in order to maintain a 30cm distance from the opening. They are petty much next to each other coming out of the wall but the flue then sticks out quite a bit (if that makes sense). He said it wasn’t ideal but would be fine as the flue is further out and the min distance is satisfied.
I’ve had it serviced a few times since and the same conversation always comes up when they see it.
Last I had someone out yesterday and they said they couldn’t service it as it would be a fail. They checked the boiler over and did the service but wouldn’t provide the paperwork - which i agreed to as they were also fixing something(?) as the hot water hasn’t been coming on without the heating in at the same time.
Is the latest plumber correct not to provide the paperwork? Is the minimum gap only in one direction or is it just from opening to opening as the original installer had suggested?
I’m concerned now that I don’t have the necessary paperwork for my insurance.
The only options would be to block up the extractor opening or fit a flue extension but the latter would be problematic due to the bathroom window above.
Any thoughts appreciated!

 

[Burnz0]

Not the best photo in the dark…

 

[jj4091]

Can you fit a flue extensin and go under the extractor + 300mm

 

[dilalio]

No POCs entering property?
He did not deem it AR or ID so should have issued paperwork, else shut it down.
Maybe NCS.
What is on previous paperwork? Has it been noted on there before?

What's the extractor connected to... Just straight through the wall? Photo of the inside?

 

[Burnz0]

No quite sure what those numbers things are but he said it was fine but he wasn’t comfortable it was to regs because the distance between them on one plane was well below the 30cm(I think) minimum.
It’s been discussed before as being not the best installation but they’ve been comfortable as the distance from the end of the flue to the opening of the vent (diagonally) is okay.
The vent is connected to about 1.5m of horizontal solid duct that runs across the top of the cupboards and then is on a 90 angle and drops down vertically into the cooker hood.
It’s all boxed in though so you can only see inside from the top of the boiler cupboard or the hood cupboard I.e. not the run between.

I’m a bit confused now as whilst the original plumber said the extractor shouldn’t really have gone there, I don’t know why he didn’t cut the flue back straight away as he knew it was all getting boxed in with the kitchen fitting so sensibly he should have done it when he had the chance.

 

[Burnz0]

I’ve googled POC. I assume that’s been tested as part of previous services and it’s never been flagged. I’m not really sure what they actually do as part of the service though as I just leave them to it. The boxing in is quite restrictive and with the extractor duct running in front of the flue it all seems quite inaccessible to visually inspect much of it - assuming that’s what they have to do

 

[Burnz0]

Better picture now it’s light

 

[dilalio]

I do some work for a boiler cover company.
When filling in the job report, one of the questions asked is "is the flue termination satisfactory?" what a word to use as its not asking if it meets regs IMO.

It's down to the engineer a lot of the time... Technically, it's not good but the chances of POCs entering the property are pretty slim... More likely is that exhaust from the cooker extractor could get entrained into the intake of the flue and affect combustion but... Again, is that likely? If combustion and air intake is tested and found to be fine then I'd likely make a note of the situation ad move on.

 

[CountryFan]

As I understand it it’s not the measured terminal back to the fan, but the horizontal distance of separation being 300mm, so it shouldn’t be installed there.

 

[dilalio]

Better picture now it’s light

What boiler?
Vaillant?
White showing is another issue.

 

[dilalio]

As I understand it it’s not the measured terminal back to the fan, but the horizontal distance of separation being 300mm, so it shouldn’t be installed there.

Yeah... On the same plane.
But as A visiting service engineer who didn't install it? NCS?

 

[CountryFan]

But as A visiting service engineer who didn't install it? NCS?

Sorry, should have pointed out it’s ncs, providing a service you say no POC. Also the building next to it could be classed as an internal corner.

 

[dilalio]

Also the building next to it could be classed as an internal corner.

Saw that also... And not 300mm there either! Bodge install.

 

[Burnz0]

it’s a Vailant Ecotec Plus 824.
What is the issue with the white? Should that be cut back to the wall level? If so, I don’t understand why he didn’t do that at the time (ignoring the extractor being installed afterwards)

Just checked and to the centre of the flue, it’s 30cm away from next door so I assume that’s a fail if it should be from the edge of the circle? I’m not sure he can blame the kitchen fitter for that.

Is there a way round it with an extension kit? Can that be retrofitted to what is there without disturbing inside? It’s been there for 10+ years so I’m guessing it’s not ‘dangerous’ even if it’s not to regulations but I don’t want this hassle every time it gets serviced.
Interesting, despite the extractor location being mentioned before, the distance to next door has never come up

 

[Burnz0]

I can block up the extractor hole if that’s the only way round it but I would prefer it if there was another way round it as it’s quite useful having one that vents outside instead of the charcoal things.
Also, if I was to do that, could I just cap the hole for now to get it approved until I have time to fill the hole properly? It’s not an ideal time given the cold weather