Gas Boiler and ventilation

[nicck]

I am in a block of flats, built in approximately 1880.

We all had our gas disconnected recently for gas work to be done on one of the properties.

When the gas guy came to reconnect mine he slapped a do not use certificate on my boiler.
This is an old Glow-worm 45-60 and has been in the flat for a very long time.

He has market two things
(1) Insufficient ventilation into the room, a kitchen.
(2) Unguarded flue.

Regarding the ventilation, I have been told that the regulation refer to new installations and that it was assumed that there would be air inflow though the fabric of old buildings as in
"Combustion Applicances and Fuel Storage Systems - The Requirements J1/J2/J3/J4/J5/J6"

Note that the boiler has been there for 10 - 20 years so far.

Regarding the ungraded flue.
The boiler is set into the old kitchen fireplace and to accidental touch the flue you would have to be deliberately reaching about two feet into the fireplace above the boiler.

Is this guy right or did I get someone on the wrong day. I have had corgi engineers out to service this before and nothing was mentioned.


Edit/Delete Message

 

[cross thread]

specific ventelation requirments for all boilers.is yours an open flue ?

 

[45yearsagasman]

It does sound like you have an open flued boiler.The flue being vertically off the top of the boiler is ok and the fact that you can touch it in that situation is not a problem.Ventilation however is extremely important and that needs to be addressed.The notice that he left you should have stated what was considered wrong with the ventilation,and any decent RGI would have offered a solution.It may be only not to current stds or at worst at risk.Ask for an explanation.

 

[rojaca]

ventialtion requirements have been updated and ARE retrospective. as for flue? post some pictures

 

[nicck]

All sorted.

Trickle vents in windows

 

[bengasman]

All sorted.
Trickle vents in windows

Unlikely that trickle vents comply with combustion ventilation requirements. I'm very close to saying not a snowflake's chance in hell.

 

[FiremanT]

All sorted.

Trickle vents in windows

I am eduguessing that his has a maximum INPUT of about 80, 000 btu/hr = about 24Kw. This requires free area of 85 sq cm. This should be purpose provided , and permanently open.

Are you sure trickle vents comply?

 

[OLLIE20]

All sorted.

Trickle vents in windows

 

[gas112]

Flue is probably copex which is a chimney liner and should not be on show

 

[nicck]

I was simplifying it by saying trickle vents.

There is a sash and case window, which is pretty leaky already.
On the inside and outside of the case is a shielded opening (to prevent rain). This is 'permanently open.'

The flue is only 'on show' if you squint down inside original fireplace. You can touch it but you have to really want to. For completeness a grill will be put across it.

 

[hazetimesfive]

so you can bbq yourself??