Gas safety cert question & how to fix old Ideal E type b

[Pongo]

I have tenants happily ensconced in a flat in an old house. Unfortunately, on renewal of the Gas Safety Certificate, the engineer declared the boiler faulty and disconnected it - leaving us all in the lurch.

The boiler and its cubby hole have become a bit dusty with soot, so the diagnosis is that the boiler seals are leaking.

The boiler is not actually inside the habited premises - it is in a small external concrete boiler room with a door that won't close - its essentially open to the elements. Even if the boiler were pumping out pure CO, there is no chance of it harming anyone.

Normally, I'd just accept the fact and replace the boiler, but:

(a) the building is likely to be demolished for development in about 18 months; the current boiler otherwise functions perfectly;

(b) the layout of the flat and distance between boiler and bathroom/kitchen/radiators means that it will involve major disruption and works (ie tearing up carpets, floor, walls) to either replace the old boiler in situ, or place a new boiler inside the dwelling.


Two questions:

1. Given the boiler's external location, does it necessarily have to be condemned, or is that an over-interpretation of "the rules"?

2. Is there anyone in Surrey/Sussex/Kent likely to be able to repair to "acceptable safety standard" this Ideal E Type boiler?

 

[twgas]

Leaks of products of combustion (fumes) are deemed as immedately dangerous and the engineer was right to disconnect the gas supply.
That said a proper service might put it right.

 

[Boilerman2]

You should be able to repair this venerable old boiler to a safe working condition, and from what you have said, it should not cost a fortune just a B****y good Service!

 

[kirkgas]

fit a new ideal isar boiler, it "should" still be working in 18 months when you knock the building down

 

[heatingman]

good clean and service and it will run for another 40 years

 

[mickyg]

it could be rescued. Although not definately, with it being open to the elements as you say there's every chance the damp could have rotted the combustion side panels, burner etc... so without a proper inspection no one can say "it just needs a good service" but its possible.

 

[DP]

I thought disconnection of gas appliance was by permission of responsible person only. Recently went to calls where the appliance supply had been chopped because (I suspect) balanced flue terminal area was sooted up.

RGI did not check but proceeded to chop the gas line and demanded the safety record be signed. When the end user declined to sign, RGI stormed off site. This boiler was service a few days prior- it needed a good clean and soot removed from CC.

 

[Pongo]

Thanks for the replies; confirms my view that its worth having a go at fixing rather than replacing at this stage.

The boiler is very well sheltered from damp, its just that the door allows free circulation of any wind - so no chance of a CO build up.

Any leads on a good engineer operating in the area of M25 south of London?

 

[ollski]

It was a similar boiler operating in a completely seperate room which killed two children in Corfu and also a young lad was killed in yorkshire from co re entering the property from outside.. I had a similar old monster (glow-worm) recently that hit 2000ppm of co on a room test in less than a minute in a big house with a boiler room seperate...it was pouring from all the seals and would take a braver man than me to sleep well after a fix on something that worn.

 

[Agile]

I had a similar old monster (glow-worm) recently that hit 2000ppm of co on a room test in less than a minute in a big house with a boiler room seperate...it was pouring from all the seals and would take a braver man than me to sleep well after a fix on something that worn.

Its not a Glow-Worn !

Any boiler that has becoime seriously sooted up will have gone like that as a result of a fault which is usually blocked air intake or flue outlet.

Thast very messy to clean out and we usually base our charges on about £180 but its almost always possible.

Just saying south of London in the M25 area is totally inadequate to define your location accurately enough for any engineers to consider if they can cover that area. Tell us the name of the exact area or the postcode.

Tony

 

[AlanE]

This boiler was service a few days prior- it needed a good clean and soot removed from CC.

Strange serviced a few days earlier and now needing a good clean and soot removed.

If it had receiced a proper service then alarm bells should be ringing as to why a good clean and soot removal required after a few days!!

 

[Pongo]

I/the boiler are in Oxted, Surrey, on the A25 and close to Junct 6 M25.

Any suitable local contacts would be gratefully appreciated.

 

[DP]

Alan, the client wanted a breakdown contracr with a national company. They came out and refused as the boiler was not working.

Client calls me to fix the boiler. I carried out a full service to remove soot, sweep main heat exchanegr, replace burner (end) gaskets, new pilot assembly, new thermocouple and new pilot injector. Only soot then remaining was what was around the terminal.

Client then recalled the company again to apply for breakdown cover.

Fellow comes out, disconnect and caps the gas line and took off. Boiler is now working again.