Extractor Fan installed too close to boiler flue?

[SkippersTommy]

Apologies if this is the wrong forum but I'm at a bit of a loss!

We've had an extractor fan fitted because of damp concerns in the kitchen. We're now looking to let the house out and a gas safe engineer tells us that the fan is too close to the boiler flue? Based on a search of these forums and a look at the installation manual, he is absolutely correct. It's about 250mm and needs to be 300. As such, we will not pass the gas safe inspection required to let.

Do I have any recourse to go after the installers of the fan? Possibly get them to add an extender to the flue? I didn't think to check that the location they suggested would meet this spec because I'm not a GSR engineer, but surely there is an expectation that the installer would check?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Do I have any recourse to go after the installers of the fan? Possibly get them to add an extender to the flue? I didn't think to check that the location they suggested would meet this spec because I'm not a GSR engineer, but surely there is an expectation that the installer would check?

Fan installers, are not GSR, so why would the know? No doubt you were no wiser, expressed no concerns about the proposed location either?

The best you can expect, is the fan moved at your cost, but at a discount if you are lucky.

 

[SkippersTommy]

Fan installers, are not GSR, so why would the know? No doubt you were no wiser, expressed no concerns about the proposed location either?

The best you can expect, is the fan moved at your cost, but at a discount if you are lucky.

Thanks, Harry. Obviously not what I wanted to hear but useful nonetheless! You're absolutely right that they nor I even considered distance to flue as a factor.

We're in contact with the installer and hopeful we can get them to add some sort of flue extender thing to increase the distance.

 

[jj4091]

A pic would help but for the sake of 50mm I would have thought a couple of elbows and a cowl would easily rectify the problem.

 

[SkippersTommy]

A pic would help but for the sake of 50mm I would have thought a couple of elbows and a cowl would easily rectify the problem.

Yes, it does seem to be easily rectified, but for some reason the gas safe guy that came round didn't suggest this? Just told us to contact the installer.

 

[cross thread]

It will be noted on the gas certificate but it enough for a fail.

 

[Murdochcat]

Fan installers, are not GSR, so why would the know? No doubt you were no wiser, expressed no concerns about the proposed location either?

The best you can expect, is the fan moved at your cost, but at a discount if you are lucky.

They may not be GSR but a general awareness of these regs is quite normal for some ..........

I think they should be called back for remedial work - or they might never learn

 

[gas112]

Why did he say it wont pass gas inspection as if its not allowing any products of combustion from boiler to re enter into the room then it is classed as not to current standards ,
If it is then he should have been turning the boiler off

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

They may not be GSR but a general awareness of these regs is quite normal for some ..........

I think they should be called back for remedial work - or they might never learn

As I said, they should be called back to remedy, but be paid. No one can be expected to be aware of all the regulations, for every trade - that's why we have qualified expertise, and why so many questions are asked on this forum about regulations.

 

[SkippersTommy]

Why did he say it wont pass gas inspection as if its not allowing any products of combustion from boiler to re enter into the room then it is classed as not to current standards ,
If it is then he should have been turning the boiler off

Not sure exactly? He was just servicing the boiler and we mentioned that we'd need a gas safety certificate to let the house out. He looked around a little more, measured the distance, and said it wouldn't pass.

 

[gas112]

Not sure exactly? He was just servicing the boiler and we mentioned that we'd need a gas safety certificate to let the house out. He looked around a little more, measured the distance, and said it wouldn't pass.

well he is talking nonsense he has serviced the boiler and left it on so he has deemed it safe which is what would be put on the certificate .
Doesnt change the fact whoever fitted it should have stuck to correct distance though