Precast flue for gas fire (Ed)

[drama]

I have a precast flue and have had a gas fire for 13 years with no problems. I had the fire installed when I moved into the property.
I am now having to replace the fire and the engineer who has done the survey said I should never have been allowed to have a gas fire installed because the starter blocks have been removed.
They weren't there when my fire was installed and I have had it serviced several times and no one has said there is a problem.
The engineer has said I'll have to have an electric fire which I don't want.
Is he right?

 

[cross thread]

He can see it we can’t

 

[drama]

Yes, I understand that, but I just find it strange that the original fitter who fitted the fire, had no issue about fitting it.

 

[CountryFan]

Yes, I understand that, but I just find it strange that the original fitter who fitted the fire, had no issue about fitting it.

Unfortunately, it doesn't mean it's right

 

[Madrab]

If he is correct and the pre-cast flue doesn't have a recess/starter block then technically it wasn't installed correctly. The fact that subsequent inspections missed it, unfortunately isn't relative and only shows the engineers at the time didn't know what they were looking at and shouldn't have been inspecting it. If the flue isn't right then the on site gas engineer has the last word, it's for everyone safety.

It would also be interesting to understand what is there instead of the starter block(s) and ultimately what's supporting the gather and the rest of the blocks above.

 

[drama]

Thank you. The gather isn't there either and from what I saw, there is nothing supporting the blocks above.
Should I query that? as the fitter is coming back to install an electric fire.

 

[Madrab]

Oh dear - always worth asking/pointing it out and having a look. If it doesn't have a gather then I can only presume they had fabricated something with some kind of haunching or similar

In saying that if it's been in for as long as the house has been up without an movement issue then it must be tied into the building fabric otherwise it should have collapsed a long time ago.

 

[drama]

Thank you.