class 1 gas fire with a class 2 flue?

[newbuyer]

Help!!

I have had an offer accepted on a house and the surveyors report suggests a problem with the gas fire.

It says:
'The client will need to engage the services of a corgi registered heating engineer in order to check that the class 2 type flue terminal is suitable for the gas fire within the lounge, which is normally classes as a class 1 appliance.'

The problem is that there are many other concerns with the property, and the seller is already allowing us to have builders in to give quotes.

I understand gas fires can be lethal, and have no intention of using the fire until it is checked, but my questions are:

1. Is it likely to be a problem if it is a class 1 appliance in a class 2 flue?
2. How much will it likely cost to fix, and what is the best way to proceed?

 

[Bahco]

The problem is that there are many other concerns with the property, and the seller is already allowing us to have builders in to give quotes.

The property sounds like a white elephant with all the red flags!

I would look elsewhere and let someone else have the pleasure. Its obviously going cheap for a reason!

 

[newbuyer]

It's not going cheap, not sure why you would think that.

When I say other problems, they are all easily fixable and nothing out of the ordinary, the house is a 'one off' and I would not be able to find it elsewhere. The seller is being really helpful with getting quotes for all the urgent matters, and I don't want to inundate him with contractors checking every last thing!

Al I wanted was some information about gas fires and flues from people with better knowledge than me.

From my research, I think that it should be possible to change the flue with little difficulty. But does anyone know if there is anyway of finding out if the fire is definitely class 1 or 2, or is this something only a corgi engineer can determine?

 

[namsag]

What fire is fitted as some fires have 2 models one designed for class 1 and 1 designed for class 2 they look almost identical.
Example valor dream fireslide.

But i would not be using a class 1 fire on a class 2 flue as it could possibly kill.

 

[ChrisR]

finding out if the fire is definitely class 1 or 2

Find its data badge, and contact the manufacturer. They vary, and you can't always guess by looking!

--
editHe beat me!
Calss 2 flues can be confusing too - a few notes here
http://www.embers-fireplaces.co.uk/technical_&_flue_types.html

 

[newbuyer]

Thanks Chris R, I will definitely not be using the fire until I know for sure it is ok, I was just hoping to save an expensive bill just to be told it's fine!

Thanks for the link - I'd come across that website whilst doing some research. The property used to have a coal fire when originally built, so I thought it would be type 1 but the surveyor is confident it is a type 2 flu. I'm assuming he must have measured the diameter?! If not I'm not sure how else he could tell?

I think your advice to contact the manufacturer is excellent, I will find the fire's data badge and find if the fire is type 1 or 2 when I move in. Then at least I can measure the flue myself if necessary to check it's ok.

Is the only difference between class 1 and 2 the difference in diameter?

 

[Terrywookfit]

A class 1 flue is suitable for use with solid fuel or gas.

A class 2 is for gas only.

My interpretation of your post is,"A class 2 terminal has been fitted to a class one flue and appliance"

It should be checked by a RGI!

 

[namsag]

Re reading what you have put . I would say yes you have a class 1 flue(chimney) as it has been used for solid fuel. AND it has got a five inch GC1 terminal fitted.
It will be a case of checking manufacturers instruction as this is acceptable with a lot of fires but not all

 

[newbuyer]

Thank you for all the advice.

The seller has rang the manufacturer who says the fire is suitable for both class 1 and class 2 flues. I didn't know enough about fires to know that this could be the case.

So I'm assuming I no longer need to have the fire and flue checked by a corgi engineer?