Flue Options Causing RGI Confusion

[russ90]

I'm hoping that somebody on the forum has had this dilemma before and is able to help…

I'd like to replace my ageing C&M Britony for a condensing boiler. Looking at Worcester Greenstar 30Si or a Vaillant Ecotec 832 and it has become evident that there is a flue problem due to proximity to boundary fence. Three different RGI recommendations as below-

• No.1- Plume management kit (or VTK if you prefer) with 1m vertical extension and 90 elbow at top
• No.2- Plume management kit with 3m extension with vertical discharge above pitched roof level
• No.3- Either vertical discharge through first floor and ridge tiles or relocation to rear of house

Relocation is obviously very expensive but is it the best option? Is the vertical option above pitched roof level viable? Are their any other obvious options that should be considered?
Please let me know if you need more info.

 

[St0rmer66]

Worth noting that only the Vaillant VTK allows you to bypass the normal rules (other minimum clearances are still applicable, though more relaxed) for siting the terminal as it's a "variable termination kit" where as with the Worcester it's just a "plume management kit" to avoid nuisance steam. That might make your boiler choice a bit easier.

 

[russ90]

Good point…thanks. Vaillant it is then!
My head is buzzing after reading so many different MIs and building regs. Is a VTK to the roof viable then?

 

[D_Hailsham]

Apart from the distances from a boundary laid down in Building Regs, your neighbour could complain to Environmental Health that you are causing a "Statutory Nuisance". The recommended distance from the boundary to avoid this is 2.5 metres.

In either case, it's the direction in which the fumes are discharged which is important. So it's better to have a vertical discharge.

 

[muggles]

Apart from the distances from a boundary laid down in Building Regs, your neighbour could complain to Environmental Health that you are causing a "Statutory Nuisance". The recommended distance from the boundary to avoid this is 2.5 metres.

In either case, it's the direction in which the fumes are discharged which is important. So it's better to have a vertical discharge.

+1
Where is your neighbour's house in relation to yours? If you're going to be discharging directly at their house, and they complain to EH, you can be forced to make alterations at your expense. This might mean moving the boiler!

 

[russ90]

Neighbours house is about 2.5m from the indicated boundary wall.
Thinking I should be able to get a vertical VTK up to the roof then divert slightly to our house with a 45 deg elbow. Do you believe that will that satisfy all requirements?

 

[dilalio]

And bear in mind that your neighbour may have plans to extend their property, in the future, in such a way that your flue discharge could become an infringement of their entitlement, even if it currently does not!

 

[D_Hailsham]

And bear in mind that your neighbour may have plans to extend their property, in the future, in such a way that your flue discharge could become an infringement of their entitlement, even if it currently does not!

I doubt very much if the neighbours could make that stand up in court.

 

[dilalio]

And I'm certain there's plenty of lawyers who'd like to try.

 

[D_Hailsham]

As long as it complied with Building Regs, and was not deemed a Statutory Nuisance, when installed, that's the end of the matter. It's the same if BRs change.

If something complied with BRs when it was installed/built, then there is no need to alter it if BRs change. So BRs can't make anyone remove a non-condensing boiler and replace it with a condensing. But Regulations can say that when a boiler needs to be replace it must be replaced by a condensing boiler.

 

[russ90]

Perfect. Thanks guys.

 

[dilalio]

Good luck. I'm sure, judging by the effort with the Sketchup models, you're the sort of chap who'd rather have no dispute whatsoever, with the neighbours

 

[russ90]

You're right. Lived here for 19 years and the neighbours are great. Planning to move in 18 months though so don't want any queries from surveyor on compliance.
I'm actually a combined cycle gas turbine power station engineer with senior authorised person experience, so I am technical…but not Gas Safe authorised You can climb inside our combustion chambers!

 

[dilalio]

You can climb inside our combustion chambers!

I'd love to experience that!

 

[russ90]

Best I can do I'm afraid...Enjoy!