Combi location

[djrock]

Hello, Had British Gas round to quote on fitting a combi (currently have a back boiler). The best location for it would be in the loft as the only other place it can go is beside the front, which would be a big pain!

For the size it needs to be it can’t go in the loft due to heath and safety (the weight). Since there’s not a proper staircase up. I said I would lift it into the loft or hoist it up he said no due to if there a problem with it the manufacturer would say its not been installed correctly.

Does this only apply to there own branded boiler?

We have had another quote from someone else and they said it was not a problem putting the combi in the loft.

So what are the rules about fitting a combi in the loft?

Thankyou

djrock

 

[Legion]

It has to to have access, pull down stairs, it has to have guard rail around entrance to loft, area from loft entry to boiler has to be boarded and a light must be fitted. Not that you will find this in most lofts fitted with a boiler but that`s what the Regs say and an engineer/Manufacturer can and will refuse to work on it if these conditions are not met. If after installation your boiler fails every man and his dog will find any excuse possible not to come out and fix it so have it done properly and enjoy your warranty.

Other option is to have it fitted in loft anyway, if problem get monkey from local ad to whip round with torch,put leg through ceiling, crack his family jewels then sue you for injury. If you asked me to service it I`d probably tell you to get the bloke who installed it back if he isn`t too busy flogging hot dogs and burgers outside yer local nightclub at 2.am every Sat night. Have the feeling you might go for the `burger guy` option anyway.

 

[baxpoti]

As a manufacturers engineer I 'd always walk away from the job if it's not correctly installed, that is, not to the minimum requirements of the installation instructions.

No fixed steps, boarding or lighting, I'm out the door, no guard rail around the loft access hole is not a problem, providing the first three are satisfactory.

If you do go up and come through the ceiling, what's the first thing management are going ask you?

It amazes me that an installer can actually get a boiler and all his tools and pipework, up into an attic and then work on it straddling the joists with a torch on his head !

 

[namsag]

BG have now decided not to fit anything in lofts but that is just there rules.

If you want it in loft just go elsewhere others will fit it as no rules against it other than has been said about light /flooring and fixed loft ladder

 

[Legion]

It amazes me that an installer can actually get a boiler and all his tools and pipework, up into an attic and then work on it straddling the joists with a torch on his head

You want to see us work on a roof! amazing and down right heroic.

( the roof is the bit between the sky and the the top windows of the house for all you `engineers`)

 

[mickyg]

It amazes me that an installer can actually get a boiler and all his tools and pipework, up into an attic and then work on it straddling the joists with a torch on his head

You want to see us work on a roof! amazing and down right heroic.

( the roof is the bit between the sky and the chimney or rooftop for all you `engineers`)

wow your really getting into this fantasy role play business. Personally I would have gone for something better than an RGI, but each to their own eh

 

[Legion]

Don't you know who I think I am?

D*ick head? Everyone knows what you are, unfortunately it doesn`t quite match up to your quote. Sorry.

 

[Deleted member 105431]

Nothing wrong with having it in the loft if there is a ladder, light and boarding. Can be a good idea to fit a filling loop, pressure gauge and any controls downstairs though so elderly or disabled can operate/top up pressure without a fuss. Worth remembering boilers can and do leak though so putting a large plastic tray or container underneath the boiler and checking it at least once a month would be a good idea imo.

most modern boilers incorporate frost protection but good lagging of pipework is essential, and a frost and pipe stat wired in series is never a bad idea (frost stat 5 deg pipestat on the return 30 deg c).

 

[Paul Barker]

I could see in one particular house (where an open flued boiler was in klicthen chimney) that you could get a flue behind the draws of the base units by shortening the drawers or just puting the fronts on (removable for inspection of flue joints. The condensate could run same route but at plinth level, soakaway at back of house and flue coming out at back correctly positioned (but if this was a challenge use plume diversion). Could just bang a regular boiler in or use a combi and take hot and cold under plinth aswell. Very cheap and easy to install.

Much prefer to think laterally than just submit to unimaginative boiler in loft.

 

[Legion]

Much prefer to think laterally

Congratulations, unfortunately lateral thinking is completely pointless here but well done for thinking outside the box, and indeed outside the loft.

than just submit to unimaginative boiler in loft.

Unimaginative but realistic, space saving and installed every day in this way.

 

[simond]

Have you thought about the new Baxi backboiler condensing version?

If BG are going to stop fitting boilers in the loft that means more quotes I will win! An oil boiler in a loft is no joke - but they are getting a bit limp wristed if they can't do a gas boiler. Incredible if it is true.

 

[Legion]

Have you thought about the new Baxi backboiler condensing version?

This is very true, although I have not seen one as yet, must be some sort of internal pump for condensation. Well done Baxi.

 

[djrock]

There’s not really a floor down but I would put some kind of flooring down. Since I can’t see anyone working up there using the joist to walk on. I wouldn’t!

We don’t have a loft ladder I wouldn’t trust one. I prefer a good solid metal ladder, which could be tied down.

There are lights up there but there not permanently fitted.

What about the weight of the boiler? Since the bg salesman said if there was a loft ladder fitted then they would only fit a worcester junior because it was ok to lift up on a loft ladder but it would not be suitable for the house.

Have you thought about the new Baxi backboiler condensing version?

No I haven't. I take its still possible to have a gas fire infront of it?

Thankyou

djrock

 

[baxpoti]

No I haven't. I take its still possible to have a gas fire infront of it?

It comes with an electric only fire

 

[Legion]

There’s not really a floor down but I would put some kind of flooring down. Since I can’t see anyone working up there using the joist to walk on. I wouldn’t!

Pardon my bluntness but can you not read or are you incapable of ingesting reality?


You have been given the advice about installing the boiler in your loft.